RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION PLATES FOR DISABLED PERSONS; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE CODE.

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:

"SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION PLATES FOR DISABLED PERSONS.--

A. The department shall issue a distinctive motorcycle registration plate to a disabled person who requests the plate for use on a motorcycle owned by the person and who proves satisfactorily to the department that he has suffered the loss, or the complete and total loss of use of, one or both legs at or above the ankle or of one or both arms at or above the wrist. The department shall not collect a fee in addition to regular motorcycle registration fees for issuance of a special motorcycle registration plate.

B. A person shall not falsely represent himself to be disabled in order to be eligible for a special motorcycle registration plate when he is in fact not disabled.

C. A special motorcycle registration plate issued to a disabled person by another state or foreign jurisdiction shall be honored until the person establishes residency in this state."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2001.

HB 672

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