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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Rawson		DATE TYPED:	02/09/03		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Allowed Windshield Materials				SB	122
					ANALYST:		Gilbert

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received From

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 122 adds language to NMSA 1978, § 66-3-846 to permit a sign, poster or other nontransparent material on or in the front windshield that extends to the AS1 line or five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield. The bill also makes a number of non-substantive changes to NMSA 1978, § 66-3-846.1.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

According to the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD), the term “AS1 line” in Section 1 should be defined.

AMMENDMENTS

TRD believes there is a problem with the penalty section of present law which is not addressed by SB 122, but could be viewed as a “friendly amendment.” NMSA 1978, § 66-3-846.1 limits the extent of sun-screening materials on windshields and provides a $75 fine for violations. As written, language pertaining to fines does not apply to NMSA 1978, § 66-3-846. This bill could be modified to apply the fine to violations of both sections.

RLG/yr