SENATE FLOOR SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 142

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES; CREATING A STANDARDIZED REGISTRATION PLATE FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES; CREATING SPECIAL REGISTRATION DECALS FOR NEW MEXICO MINERS, MAKE-A-WISH NEW MEXICO, NEW MEXICO SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND ROUTE 66; 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] STANDARDIZED REGISTRATION PLATES FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES--SPECIAL REGISTRATION DECALS.--

          A. The division shall issue standardized registration plates with a special registration decal as may be authorized by statute for public purposes. Twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee collected for each registration plate with a special registration decal shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the development, manufacture and issuance of the registration plate and decal. No two owners shall be issued identically lettered or numbered registration plates.

          B. Public purpose registration plates, on the standardized areas, shall:

                (1) display the colors of the state flag, with red lettering on a yellow background;

                (2) display the phrases "New Mexico USA" and "Land of Enchantment";

                (3) provide a space for applying a special registration decal, centered at the left edge of the plate between the attachment holes, beginning one-fourth inch in from the edge of the plate and having the following dimensions:

                     (a) four and one-eighth inches in height; and

                     (b) three and one-eighth inches in width; and

                (4) provide a vehicle registration number, to be assigned by the division, that consists of five alphanumeric characters displayed to the right of the special decal area.

          C. Special registration decals, except for the standard dimensions specified in Paragraph (3) of Subsection B of this section, shall be left to the design discretion of the division, in consultation with the public purpose interest group that requests the special registration decal.

          D. Special registration decals, when authorized by statute for a particular public purpose interest group, shall meet the requirements specified in this subsection prior to development and issuance by the division. The public purpose interest group, no later than the effective date of the authorizing statute, shall:

                (1) provide evidence acceptable to the division that it will generate a minimum number of prepaid applications as determined by the division for the special registration decal;

                (2) provide a prepayment to the division in an amount sufficient to cover the initial order for the special registration decal;

                (3) provide a sample of the requested artwork design in a format specified by the manufacturer for the specialized registration decal; and

                (4) in cases where the authorizing statute includes revenue-sharing with distribution directed to a particular group or fund, show that the recipient is a governmental entity or a fund authorized for the use of a governmental entity.

          E. The division may promulgate rules for implementation of the provisions of this section."

     SECTION 2. A new section of the Motor Vehicle Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] LICENSE PLATES WITH SPECIAL REGISTRATION DECALS--FEES.--

          A. The division shall issue registration plates with special decals pursuant to Section 1 of this 2023 act for statutorily authorized purposes and fees pursuant to this section, which fees shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees.

          B. The division shall issue a registration plate and special registration decal as specified by this 2023 act commemorating:

                (1) New Mexico miners for an initial fee of twenty dollars ($20.00). The owner shall pay a renewal fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) each year to retain and renew the New Mexico miners registration plate and special registration decal. All fees collected except twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee shall be distributed to the miners' hospital of New Mexico for chronic illness research;

                (2) Make-A-Wish New Mexico for an initial fee of twelve dollars ($12.00);

                (3) the New Mexico special olympics for an initial fee of twelve dollars ($12.00); and

                (4) route 66 for an initial fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00). The owner shall pay a renewal fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) each year to retain and renew the route 66 registration plate and special registration decal. All fees collected except twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee shall be distributed to the tourism department for the revitalization, preservation and promotion of tourism along historic route 66 in New Mexico pursuant to the national scenic byways program."

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is January 1, 2024.

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