SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 56

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES TO BE TRANSFERRED TO A MEMBER OF THE HONOREE'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY UPON THE DEATH OF THE HONOREE; REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF PROOF; PROVIDING A PENALTY.

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 HONORING CERTAIN VETERANS--TRANSFER OF PLATES TO FAMILY MEMBER UPON THE DEATH OF THE HONOREE--SUBMISSION OF PROOF--PENALTY.--

          A. Upon the death of a veteran to whom a special registration plate has been issued pursuant to Section 66-3-409, 66-3-411, 66-3-412, 66-3-414 or 66-3-415 NMSA 1978, the division shall transfer the special plate to the surviving spouse or other immediate family member designated by the veteran. No fee, including the regular registration fee applicable to the passenger motor vehicle, if any, shall be collected for transferring a special registration plate pursuant to this section. Upon the death of the transferee, the special registration plate shall be retired and retained by the transferee's family, allowing other family members to keep the plates in memoriam.

          B. The special plate shall be transferred upon submission of proof satisfactory to the division that the veteran is deceased and that the applicant is the surviving spouse or other family member designated by the veteran.

          C. No person shall falsely claim to be a surviving spouse or other family member for the purpose of obtaining special registration plates pursuant to this section.

          D. A person who violates the provisions of Subsection C of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor."

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