SENATE BILL 128

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Katy M. Duhigg

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION; PROHIBITING SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES FROM DISPLAYING CERTAIN CHARACTERS.

 

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

     SECTION 1. Section 66-3-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 35, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-3-15. SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES--PROCEDURES--FEE.--

          A. The division shall establish and issue special registration plates, including motorcycle special prestige registration plates, and [shall establish and] may promulgate [procedures] rules for applications for and issuance of special registration plates.

          B. For a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00), which fee shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, any owner of a motor vehicle may apply for the issuance of a special registration plate as defined in Subsection A of this section. No two owners will be issued identically lettered or numbered plates or plates that cannot be easily differentiated.

          C. An owner [must] shall make a new application and pay a new fee each year [he] that the owner desires to obtain a special registration plate; however, [he will] the owner shall have first priority on that plate for each subsequent year that [he] the owner makes timely and appropriate application.

          D. All fees collected shall be paid to the state treasurer to the credit of the motor vehicle suspense fund with distribution in accordance with Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978.

          E. No special registration plate shall be established or issued that displays characters that the division determines:

                (1) to be derogatory, offensive or misleading;

                (2) to be obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit or profane;

                (3) promotes drugs, alcohol or other intoxicating substances; or

                (4) promotes violence or gang affiliation."

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