RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION PLATES FOR ARMED FORCES VETERANS; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE CODE; 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:

"SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION PLATES FOR ARMED FORCES VETERANS.--

A. The department shall issue distinctive motorcycle registration plates indicating that the recipient is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, as defined in Section 28-13-7 NMSA 1978, or is retired from the national guard or military reserves, if that person submits proof satisfactory to the department of honorable discharge from the armed forces or of retirement from the national guard or military reserves.

B. For a fee of seven dollars ($7.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motorcycle registration fees, any motorcycle owner who is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States or is retired from the national guard or military reserves may apply for the issuance of a special motorcycle registration plate as defined in Subsection A of this section. No two owners shall be issued identically lettered or numbered plates.

C. An owner shall make a new application and pay a new fee each year he desires to obtain a special motorcycle registration plate. He will have first priority on that plate for each subsequent year that he makes a timely and appropriate application.

D. Each armed forces veteran may elect to receive a veteran-designation decal to be placed across the top of the special motorcycle registration plate, centered above the registration number. Replacement or different veteran-designation decals shall be available for purchase from the department at a reasonable charge to be set by the secretary. The department shall furnish the following veteran-designation decals with the armed forces veteran motorcycle registration plate to a:

(1) medal of honor recipient;

(2) silver star recipient;

(3) bronze star recipient;

(4) navy cross recipient;

(5) distinguished service cross recipient;

(6) air force cross recipient;

(7) ex-prisoner of war;

(8) disabled veteran;

(9) purple heart veteran;

(10) atomic veteran;

(11) Pearl Harbor survivor;

(12) Navajo code talker;

(13) Vietnam veteran;

(14) Korean veteran;

(15) disabled Korean veteran;

(16) World War II veteran;

(17) World War I veteran;

(18) Grenada veteran;

(19) Panama veteran; or

(20) Desert Storm veteran.

E. The revenue from the fee imposed pursuant to Subsection B of this section shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the manufacture and issuance of the special motorcycle registration plates for armed forces veterans."

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

HB 673

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