HOUSE BILL 474

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

INTRODUCED BY

Martin R. Zamora

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES; CREATING A TRAIL LIFE USA SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATE; ALLOWING FOR THE CESSATION OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE ISSUANCE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 66, Article 3 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] TRAIL LIFE USA SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATE.--

          A. Beginning January 1, 2026, the division shall issue a standardized special registration plate with a logo designed as specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 to express support for Trail Life USA.

          B. For a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, a motor vehicle owner may apply for issuance of a Trail Life USA special registration plate. The owner shall pay a renewal fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) each year to retain and renew the Trail Life USA special registration plate.

          C. Revenue from the fees imposed by Subsection B of this section for a Trail Life USA special registration plate shall be distributed as follows:

                (1) twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee collected for each registration plate shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the manufacture and issuance of the special registration plates; and

                (2) the remaining portion of the initial fee and the entire renewal fee collected for each registration plate is appropriated to the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department to acquire, develop, operate and maintain state parks and recreation areas.

          D. Beginning on July 1, 2031, and on July 1 of each subsequent year, the department may compare the number of Trail Life USA special registration plates issued and renewed in the previous fiscal year with the average number of such plates issued and renewed annually between fiscal years 2026 through 2031. If the department determines that the number of Trail Life USA special registration plates issued and renewed in the previous fiscal year is less than fifty percent of the average number of the plates issued and renewed annually between fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the department may stop issuing Trail Life USA special registration plates."

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