44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION; RECOGNIZING LICENSE PLATES AND VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS ISSUED BY THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT OF A TRIBE LOCATED IN NEW MEXICO; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. [NEW MATERIAL] MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES--CAR REGISTRATION--TRIBAL GOVERNMENT ISSUE--INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED--DEFINITION.--

A. A valid license plate and vehicle registration issued by the tribal government of a tribe located in New Mexico is recognized as valid evidence of registration of the vehicle for which it was issued. A vehicle bearing a license plate issued by a tribe with a vehicle registration issued by the same tribe requires no additional registration by the state of New Mexico.

B. The governor of the state is authorized to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with a tribe when notified by that tribe that it will be issuing license plates and vehicle registrations to its members. The intergovernmental agreement should address issues that may arise between the tribe and the state regarding the enforcement of motor vehicle laws, including the exchange of information about who has been issued a valid license plate and registration by the tribe and the liability insurance requirements that the tribe will implement.

C. As used in this section, "tribe" means an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo located in whole or in part in New Mexico.

Section 2. Section 66-3-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 21) is amended to read:

"66-3-1. VEHICLES SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION--EXCEPTIONS.--Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer when driven or moved upon a highway [shall be] is subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code except:

A. any such vehicle driven or moved upon a highway in conformance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code relating to manufacturers, dealers, lien-holders or nonresidents;

B. any such vehicle which is driven or moved upon a highway only for the purpose of crossing [such] the highway from one property to another;

C. any implement of husbandry [which] that is only incidentally operated or moved upon a highway;

D. any special mobile equipment as herein defined;

E. any vehicle [which] that is propelled exclusively by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires though not operated upon rails;

F. no certificate of title need be obtained for any vehicle of a type subject to registration owned by the government of the United States; [and]

G. every house trailer shall be subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code, and each house trailer shall at all times bear a current registration plate; and

H. a vehicle bearing a valid license plate issued by a tribe located in whole or in part in New Mexico for which the driver can produce a valid registration document."

Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.