AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; ENACTING A SECTION OF THE MOTOR TRANSPORTATION ACT TO PROVIDE FOR CROSS-BORDER PASSAGE OF MEXICAN COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES; REQUIRING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; PROVIDING AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.

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

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 65, Article 5 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"MEXICAN COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES--MOVEMENT THROUGH BORDER COMMERCIAL ZONE--REGISTRATION EXEMPTION--FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY--DOMESTIC TRANSPORTATION.--

A. A Mexican commercial motor vehicle is exempt from requirements for motor vehicle registration in this state, including temporary registration, if the motor vehicle is engaged solely in movement across the international border between New Mexico and the United Mexican States into or from an international border commercial zone, and the motor vehicle is registered and licensed as required by the law of another country. A Mexican commercial motor vehicle and its driver operating pursuant to the exemption under this section may be considered unregistered if the motor vehicle is operated in this state outside the border commercial zone or in violation of United States law.

B. The department shall adopt rules that conform with federal law requiring motor carriers operating Mexican commercial motor vehicles in this state to maintain financial responsibility.

C. A Mexican commercial motor vehicle shall not transport persons or cargo in intrastate commerce in this state unless the motor vehicle is authorized to conduct operations in interstate and foreign commerce domestically between points in the United States under federal law or international agreement.

D. As used in this section:

(1) "border commercial zone" means a commercial zone established pursuant to federal law or regulations, any portion of which is contiguous to the border between this state and the United Mexican States; and

(2) "Mexican commercial motor vehicle" means a commercial motor carrier vehicle that is registered or titled in the United Mexican States.”

HB 311

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