46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES FOR ACTIVE AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD; IMPOSING A FEE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of the Motor Vehicle Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] REGISTRATION PLATES FOR ACTIVE AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD.--

A. The department shall issue a special registration plate to a person who is an active member of the New Mexico national guard upon the submission by the person of proof satisfactory to the department that he is currently an active member.

B. A person shall not represent himself to be a member of the New Mexico national guard if that person is, in fact, not a member of the New Mexico national guard. The secretary shall determine what constitutes satisfactory proof of membership in the New Mexico national guard.

C. A person who violates the provisions of Subsection B of this section is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.

D. No fee shall be collected by the department for the original issuance of the special registration plate for an active member of the New Mexico national guard.

E. A member of the New Mexico national guard who retires may:

(1) retain a New Mexico national guard member plate by:

(a) providing satisfactory proof of eligibility as a retired New Mexico national guard member to the department; and

(b) paying a fifteen-dollar ($15.00) annual administrative fee to the department; or

(2) obtain an original New Mexico national guard member plate by:

(a) providing satisfactory proof of eligibility as a retired New Mexico national guard member to the department;

(b) paying a nonrefundable application fee of ten dollars ($10.00); and

(c) paying a fifteen-dollar ($15.00) annual administrative fee to the department.

F. The ten-dollar ($10.00) fee collected pursuant to Subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (2) of Subsection E of this section shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department to defray the cost of making and issuing special registration plates for members of the New Mexico national guard. The remaining fifteen dollars ($15.00) assessed pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (2) of Subsection E of this section shall be deposited in the motor vehicle suspense fund for distribution in accordance with Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978.

G. The secretary shall approve the final plate design for the special registration plate for members of the New Mexico national guard in accordance with New Mexico law."