AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; MAKING TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS TO THE WEIGHT DISTANCE TAX; PROVIDING FOR LICENSE ENDORSEMENT FEES; CHANGING AND CREATING DEFINITIONS IN THE MOTOR VEHICLE CODE AND IN THE NEW MEXICO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE ACT; CHANGING VEHICLE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING CERTAIN POWERS TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION; DEFINING GROUNDS FOR WHICH THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION MAY REFUSE, SUSPEND OR REVOKE VEHICLE REGISTRATION OR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE; PROVIDING FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION REFUNDS; CHANGING DRIVER'S LICENSE ISSUANCE, CONTENT AND CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NAME REQUIREMENTS; CHANGING COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE CONTENT, APPLICATION, ISSUANCE AND DISQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING CONVICTION INFORMATION DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR PRORATION OF DRIVER'S LICENSE AND COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE FEES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; PROVIDING FOR DONOR STATUS ON IDENTIFICATION CARDS; INCREASING HEALTH STANDARDS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERSHIP AND CHANGING PER DIEM REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD MEMBERS; CHANGING DISTRIBUTIONS; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. Section 7-15A-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1988, Chapter 73, Section 33, as amended) is amended to read:

"7-15A-6. TAX RATE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN BUSES‑-REDUCTION OF RATE FOR ONE-WAY HAULS.--

A. For on-highway operations of motor vehicles other than buses, the weight distance tax shall be computed in accordance with the following schedule:

Declared Gross Weight Tax Rate

(Gross Vehicle Weight) (Mills per Mile)

26,001 to 28,000 11.01

28,001 to 30,000 11.88

30,001 to 32,000 12.77

32,001 to 34,000 13.64

34,001 to 36,000 14.52

36,001 to 38,000 15.39

38,001 to 40,000 16.73

40,001 to 42,000 18.05

42,001 to 44,000 19.36

44,001 to 46,000 20.69

46,001 to 48,000 22.01

48,001 to 50,000 23.33

50,001 to 52,000 24.65

52,001 to 54,000 25.96

54,001 to 56,000 27.29

56,001 to 58,000 28.62 58,001 to 60,000 29.93

60,001 to 62,000 31.24

62,001 to 64,000 32.58

64,001 to 66,000 33.90

66,001 to 68,000 35.21

68,001 to 70,000 36.52

70,001 to 72,000 37.86

72,001 to 74,000 39.26

74,001 to 76,000 40.71

76,001 to 78,000 42.21

78,001 and over 43.78.

B. All motor vehicles for which the tax is computed under Subsection A of this section shall pay a tax that is two-thirds of the tax computed under Subsection A of this section if:

(1) the motor vehicle is customarily used for one-way haul;

(2) forty-five percent or more of the mileage traveled by the motor vehicle for a registration year is mileage that is traveled empty of all load; and

(3) the registrant, owner or operator of the vehicle attempting to qualify under this subsection has made a sworn application to the department to be classified under this subsection for a registration year and has given whatever information is required by the department to determine the eligibility of the vehicle to be classified under this subsection and the vehicle has been so classified."

Section 2. Section 7-15A-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1988, Chapter 73, Section 34, as amended) is amended to read:

"7-15A-7. TAX RATE FOR BUSES.--For all buses, the weight distance tax shall be computed in accordance with the following schedule:

Declared Gross Weight Tax Rate

(Gross Vehicle Weight) (Mills per Mile)

26,001 to 28,000 11.01

28,001 to 30,000 11.88

30,001 to 32,000 12.77

32,001 to 34,000 13.64

34,001 to 36,000 14.52

36,001 to 38,000 15.39

38,001 to 40,000 16.73

40,001 to 42,000 18.05

42,001 to 44,000 19.36

44,001 to 46,000 20.69

46,001 to 48,000 22.01

48,001 to 50,000 23.33

50,001 to 52,000 24.65

52,001 to 54,000 25.96

54,001 and over 27.29."

Section 3. Section 66-1-4.16 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1990, Chapter 120, Section 17, as amended by Laws 2003, Chapter 142, Section 7 and by Laws 2003, Chapter 164, Section 2) is amended to read:

"66-1-4.16. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Motor Vehicle Code:

A. "safety glazing materials" means glazing materials constructed, treated or combined with other materials to reduce substantially, in comparison with ordinary sheet glass or plate glass, the likelihood of injury to persons by objects from exterior sources or by these safety glazing materials when they are cracked and broken;

B. "safety zone" means the area or space that is officially set apart within a highway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and that is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone;

C. "school bus" means a commercial motor vehicle used to transport preprimary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home or to and from school-sponsored events, but not including a vehicle:

(1) operated by a common carrier, subject to and meeting all requirements of the public regulation commission but not used exclusively for the transportation of pupils;

(2) operated solely by a government-owned transit authority, if the transit authority meets all safety requirements of the public regulation commission but is not used exclusively for the transportation of pupils; or

(3) operated as a per capita feeder as defined in Section 22-16-6 NMSA 1978;

D. "seal" means the official seal of the taxation and revenue department as designated by the secretary;

E. "secretary" means the secretary of taxation and revenue, and, except for the purposes of Sections 66-2-3

and 66-2-12 NMSA 1978, also includes the deputy secretary and any division director delegated by the secretary;

F. "semitrailer" means a vehicle without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some significant part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle;

G. "sidewalk" means a portion of street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for the use of pedestrians;

H. "slow-moving vehicle" means a vehicle that is ordinarily moved, operated or driven at a speed less than twenty-five miles per hour;

I. "solid tire" means every tire of rubber or other resilient material that does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load;

J. "special mobile equipment" means a vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and incidentally operated or moved over the highways, including but not limited to farm tractors, road construction or maintenance machinery, ditch-digging apparatus, well-boring apparatus and concrete mixers;

K. "specially constructed vehicle" means a vehicle of a type required to be registered under the Motor Vehicle Code not originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles and not materially altered from its original construction;

L. "state" means a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or a province of the Dominion of Canada;

M. "state highway" means a public highway that has been designated as a state highway by the legislature, the state transportation commission or the secretary of transportation;

N. "stop", when required, means complete cessation from movement;

O. "stop, stopping or standing", when prohibited, means any stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal;

P. "street" or "highway" means a way or place generally open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purpose of vehicular travel, even though it may be temporarily closed or restricted for the purpose of construction, maintenance, repair or reconstruction;

Q. "subsequent offender" means a person who was previously a first offender and who again, under state law, federal law or a municipal ordinance or a tribal law, has been adjudicated guilty of the charge of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug that rendered him incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle, regardless of whether the person's sentence was suspended or deferred; and

R. "suspension" means that a person's driver's license and privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways are temporarily withdrawn."

Section 4. Section 66-2-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 13, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-2-9. SEIZURE OF DOCUMENTS AND PLATES.--

A. The division may take possession of any documents issued by it, including but not limited to any certificate of title, evidence of registration, permit, license or registration plate, upon expiration, revocation, cancellation or suspension thereof or that is fictitious or that has been unlawfully or erroneously issued.

B. If the division determines that any documents purporting to be of a type described in Subsection A of this section are fictitious, the division shall turn them over to the proper law enforcement agency for use in prosecution.

C. The division may retrieve a registration plate from a motor carrier that is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle by order of a state or federal agency."

Section 5. Section 66-3-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 27, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-7. GROUNDS FOR REFUSING, SUSPENDING OR REVOKING REGISTRATION OR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE.--The division may refuse, suspend or revoke registration or issuance of a certificate of title or a transfer of registration upon the ground that:

A. the application contains a false or fraudulent statement or that the applicant failed to furnish the required information or reasonable additional information requested by the division or that the applicant is not entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title or registration of the vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Code;

B. the vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways;

C. a commercial motor vehicle is operated by a commercial motor carrier that is prohibited from operating the vehicle by order of a state or federal agency;

D. the division has a reasonable ground to believe that the vehicle is a stolen or embezzled vehicle or the granting of registration or the issuance of a certificate of title would constitute a fraud against the rightful owner or other person having valid lien upon the vehicle;

E. the registration of the vehicle stands suspended or revoked for any reason as provided in the motor vehicle laws of this state;

F. the required fee has not been paid;

G. the motor vehicle excise tax has not been paid;

H. the weight distance tax has not been paid;

I. international fuel tax agreement taxes have not been paid;

J. if the vehicle is a mobile home, the property tax has not been paid;

K. the owner's address, as shown in the records of the division, is within a class A county or within a municipality that has a vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program and the applicant has applied at an office outside the designated county or municipality; or

L. the owner is required to but has failed to provide proof of compliance with a vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program, if required in the county or municipality in which the owner resides."

Section 6. Section 66-3-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 28, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-8. EXAMINATION OF REGISTRATION RECORDS AND INDEX OF STOLEN AND RECOVERED VEHICLES.--The department, upon receiving application for original registration of a vehicle or a certificate of title, except a title issued on a manufactured home, shall first check the engine or other standard identification number provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle shown in the application against its own records, the records of the national crime information center and other records as appropriate."

Section 7. Section 66-3-20.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1988, Chapter 94, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-20.1. PROVIDING FOR EXTENDED REGISTRATION PERIODS FOR CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES--CREDIT FOR UNEXPIRED PORTION OF FEE.--

A. Registrations of vehicles, motorcycles or trucks with a declared gross weight of twenty-six thousand pounds or less may be for a period of up to two years; provided, the extended registration period shall begin on the first day of any month and expire on the last day of any month.

B. The fee for an extended registration period shall be the fee for a registration for one year divided by four and multiplied by the number of calendar quarters in the registration period with any fraction of a quarter year to be considered a full quarter.

C. A refund shall not be permitted for the first year of registration. A refund shall be permitted during the second year of registration for a quarter during which a person applying for the refund did not own the vehicle for which the refund is requested.

D. If the owner of a vehicle that is registered for an extended registration period sells, transfers or assigns title or interest to the vehicle and applies to have the registration number assigned to another vehicle, upon assignment, a credit amount representing the unexpired portion of the registration fee plus an administrative fee to be determined by the department shall be applied, on a pro rata basis, to the registration fee for the vehicle to which the registration number is assigned."

Section 8. Section 66-3-23 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 43) is amended to read:

"66-3-23. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NAME.--

A. Whenever any person after making application for or obtaining the registration of a vehicle or a certificate of title moves from the address named in the application or shown upon a registration card or certificate of title, he shall, within ten days thereafter, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, notify the division in writing of his old and new addresses or by electronic media pursuant to department regulations.

B. Whenever the name of any person who has made application for or obtained the registration of a vehicle or a certificate of title is changed by marriage or otherwise, the person shall, within ten days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, make application for a new certificate of title and registration to the division. The division may require such evidence as it deems satisfactory regarding the change of name."

Section 9. Section 66-3-424.6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 178, Section 2) is amended to read:

"66-3-424.6. SPECIAL WILDLIFE ARTWORK REGISTRATION PLATES--PROCEDURES--FEE.--

A. The department shall establish and issue a standardized special registration plate with a logo specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 featuring artwork of New Mexico wildlife for any private motor vehicle except a motorcycle. The department shall adopt procedures for application for and issuance of the special wildlife artwork registration plates.

B. The director of the department of game and fish shall designate a "share with wildlife" logo design committee that shall recommend to the director the color and design of the special wildlife artwork logo. The director in cooperation with the secretary shall determine the design of the special wildlife artwork logo. No personalized or vanity design variation of the special wildlife artwork registration plates shall be issued.

C. For a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, an owner of a motor vehicle may apply for the issuance of a special wildlife artwork registration plate. The owner of a motor vehicle shall apply for the plate and pay the twenty-five-dollar ($25.00) fee for the first year and ten dollars ($10.00) for each subsequent year if he wishes to retain and renew the special wildlife artwork registration plate.

D. The revenue from the additional fee for a special wildlife artwork registration plate shall be distributed as follows:

(1) ten dollars ($10.00) of the initial fee collected shall be retained by the division and is appropriated to the division to defray the cost of making and issuing special registration plates for wildlife artwork; and

(2) fifteen dollars ($15.00) of the initial fee and the entire renewal fee collected shall be distributed to the share with wildlife program of the game protection fund."

Section 10. Section 66-5-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 228, as amended by Laws 1995, Chapter 135, Section 16 and also by Laws 1995, Chapter 136, Section 1) is amended to read:

"66-5-6. HEALTH STANDARDS ADVISORY BOARD.--

A. There shall be a "health standards advisory board" consisting of five members of the healing arts professions appointed by the secretary with the assistance of the secretary of health.

B. The health standards advisory board shall advise the secretary on physical and mental criteria and vision standards relating to the licensing of drivers under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code.

C. The department, having cause to believe that a licensed driver or applicant may not be physically, visually or mentally qualified to be licensed, may obtain the advice of the health standards advisory board. The board may formulate its advice from records and reports or may cause an examination and report to be made by one or more members of the board or any other qualified person it may designate. The licensed driver or applicant may cause a written report to be forwarded to the board by a healing arts practitioner of his choice, and it shall be given due consideration by the board only after the licensed driver or applicant has again undergone an on-the-road examination and any physical, visual or mental tests as recommended by the board. These examinations and tests may not be waived by the department.

D. Members of the health standards advisory board and other persons making examinations shall not be held liable for their opinions and recommendations presented pursuant to this section.

E. The secretary shall pay members of the health standards advisory board per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and, in addition, may determine and pay an hourly rate for work performed not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per hour and not to exceed twenty hours per month.

F. Reports received or made by the health standards advisory board or its members for the purpose of assisting the department in determining whether a person is qualified to be licensed are for the confidential use of the board or the department and may not be divulged to any person or used as evidence in any trial."

Section 11. Section 66-5-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 237, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-5-15. LICENSES ISSUED TO APPLICANTS.--The department shall, upon payment of the required fee, issue to every qualified applicant a driver's license as applied for. The license shall bear the full name, date of birth, current New Mexico physical or mailing address, a full face or front-view photograph of the license holder and a brief description of the licensee and the signature of the licensee. A license shall not be valid unless it bears the signature of the licensee."

Section 12. Section 66-5-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 240) is amended to read:

"66-5-18. ALTERED, FORGED OR FICTITIOUS LICENSE--PENALTY.--

A. A person who uses or possesses an altered, forged or fictitious driver's license, permit or identification card is guilty of a misdemeanor.

B. A person who alters or forges a driver's license, permit or identification card or who makes a fictitious driver's license, permit or identification card is guilty of a fourth degree felony.

C. A person who possesses or uses a fraudulent, counterfeit or forged document to apply for or renew a driver's license, permit or identification card is guilty of a fourth degree felony."

Section 13. Section 66-5-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 243, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-5-21. EXPIRATION OF LICENSE--FOUR-YEAR ISSUANCE PERIOD--EIGHT-YEAR ISSUANCE PERIOD.--

A. Except as provided in Subsection B of this section, Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978 and Section 66-5-67 NMSA 1978, all driver's licenses shall be issued for a period of four years, and each license shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the fourth year after the effective date of the license. A license issued pursuant to Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978 shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the year in which the license expires. Each license is renewable within ninety days prior to its expiration or at an earlier date approved by the department. The fee for the license shall be as provided in Section 66‑5‑44 NMSA 1978. The department may provide for renewal by mail of a driver's license issued pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, pursuant to regulations adopted by the department and may require an examination upon renewal of the driver's license.

B. At the option of an applicant, a driver's license may be issued for a period of eight years, provided that the applicant:

(1) pays the amount required for a driver's license issued for a term of eight years;

(2) otherwise qualifies for a four-year driver's license; and

(3) will not reach the age of seventy-five during the last four years of the eight-year license period.

C. A driver's license issued pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this section shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the eighth year after the effective date of the license.

D. The director may adopt regulations providing for the proration of driver's license fees and commercial driver's license fees due to shortened licensure periods permitted pursuant to Subsection A of Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978."

Section 14. Section 66-5-22 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 244) is amended to read:

"66-5-22. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NAME.--Whenever a person, after applying for or receiving a driver's license, moves from the address named in the application or in the issued license or when the name of a licensee is changed by marriage or otherwise, the person shall, within ten days, notify the division of the new address in writing or by electronic media pursuant to department regulations. In the event of a change of name, the license must be delivered by the licensee to the division and the change of name be accomplished on the license itself. The division may require such evidence as it deems satisfactory regarding the change of name."

Section 15. A new section of the New Mexico Commercial Driver's License Act is enacted to read:

"LICENSE ENDORSEMENT FEES.--The division shall establish a schedule of fees to be paid by a licensee for receipt or renewal of an "H" or "X" endorsement pursuant to Section 66‑5‑65 NMSA 1978. The fee for an endorsement shall be based on the actual cost of conducting federal and state required background checks not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125). Money from fees collected shall be retained by the division to defray the costs of background checks."

Section 16. Section 66-5-54 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 14, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-5-54. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the New Mexico Commercial Driver's License Act:

A. "commerce" means:

(1) trade, traffic or transportation within the jurisdiction of the United States between a place in New Mexico and a place outside of New Mexico, including a place outside of the United States; and

(2) trade, traffic or transportation in the United States that affects any trade, traffic or transportation described in Paragraph (1) of this subsection;

B. "commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:

(1) has a gross combination weight rating of more than twenty-six thousand pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than ten thousand pounds;

(2) has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than twenty-six thousand pounds;

(3) is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver; or

(4) is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials, which requires the motor vehicle to be placarded under applicable law;

C. "disqualification" means:

(1) a suspension, revocation or cancellation of a commercial driver's license by the state or jurisdiction that issued the commercial driver's license;

(2) a withdrawal of a person's privileges to drive a commercial motor vehicle by a state or other jurisdiction as the result of a violation of state or local law relating to motor vehicle control other than a parking, vehicle weight or vehicle defect violation; and

(3) a determination by the federal motor carrier safety administration that a person is not qualified to operate a motor vehicle;

D. "driving a commercial motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol" means:

(1) driving a commercial motor vehicle while the driver has an alcohol concentration in the driver's blood or breath of four one hundredths or more;

(2) driving a commercial motor vehicle while the driver is under the influence of intoxicating liquor; or

(3) refusal to submit to chemical tests administered pursuant to Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978;

E. "employee" means an operator of a commercial motor vehicle, including full-time, regularly employed drivers; casual, intermittent or occasional drivers; leased drivers; and independent owner-operator contractors, while in the course of operating a commercial motor vehicle, who is either directly employed by or under lease to an employer;

F. "employer" means a person, including the United States, a state and a political subdivision of a state or their agencies or instrumentalities, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle or assigns employees to operate such a vehicle;

G. "fatality" means the death of a person as a result of a motor vehicle accident;

H. "gross combination weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination vehicle. In the absence of a value specified by the manufacturer, gross combination weight rating shall be determined by adding the gross vehicle weight rating of the power unit and the total weight of the towed unit or units and any load thereon;

I. "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle;

J. "imminent hazard" means a condition that presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe personal injury or a substantial endangerment to health, property or the environment will occur before the reasonable foreseeable completion date of a formal proceeding to lessen the risk of that death, illness, injury or endangerment;

K. "noncommercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles that is not a commercial motor vehicle;

L. "nonresident commercial driver's license" means a commercial driver's license issued by another state to a person domiciled in that state or by a foreign country to a person domiciled in that country;

M. "out-of-service order" means a declaration by an authorized enforcement officer of a federal, state, Canadian, Mexican or local jurisdiction that a driver, a commercial motor vehicle or a motor carrier operation is temporarily prohibited from operating;

N. "railroad-highway grade crossing violation" means a violation of a provision of Section 66-7-341 or 66-7-343 NMSA 1978 or a violation of federal or local law or rule pertaining to stopping at or crossing a railroad-highway grade crossing; and

O. "serious traffic violation" means conviction of any of the following if committed when operating a commercial motor vehicle:

(1) speed of fifteen miles or more per hour above the posted limits;

(2) reckless driving as defined by Section 66‑8-113 NMSA 1978 or a municipal ordinance or the law of another state;

(3) homicide by vehicle, as defined in Section 66-8-101 NMSA 1978;

(4) injury to pregnant woman by vehicle as defined in Section 66-8-101.1 NMSA 1978 or a municipal ordinance or the law of another state;

(5) any other violation of law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, that the secretary determines by regulation to be a serious traffic violation. "Serious traffic violation" does not include a vehicle weight or vehicle defect violation;

(6) improper or erratic lane changes in violation of Section 66-7-317 NMSA 1978;

(7) following another vehicle too closely in violation of Section 66-7-318 NMSA 1978;

(8) directly or indirectly causing death or great bodily injury to a human being in the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle in violation of Section 66-8-101 NMSA 1978;

(9) driving a commercial motor vehicle without possession of a commercial driver's license in violation of Section 66-5-59 NMSA 1978;

(10) driving a commercial motor vehicle without the proper class of commercial driver's license and endorsements pursuant to Section 66-5-65 NMSA 1978 and the Motor Carrier Safety Act for the specific vehicle group operated or for the passengers or type of cargo transported; or

(11) driving a commercial motor vehicle without obtaining a commercial driver's license in violation of Section 66-5-59 NMSA 1978."

Section 17. Section 66-5-64 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 14, Section 13, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-5-64. COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE--CONTENT.--The commercial driver's license shall be marked "commercial driver's license" or "CDL". It shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

A. the person's name and current New Mexico physical or mailing address;

B. the person's full face or front-view color photograph;

C. a physical description of the person, including sex, height, weight and eye color;

D. the person's date of birth;

E. the person's signature;

F. the class or type of commercial motor vehicle that the person is authorized to drive, together with any endorsements or restrictions;

G. the name of this state; and

H. the dates between which the license is valid."

Section 18. Section 66-5-68 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 14, Section 17, as amended by Laws 2003, Chapter 51, Section 5 and by Laws 2003, Chapter 90, Section 2) is amended to read:

"66-5-68. DISQUALIFICATION.--

A. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for at least thirty days if the federal motor carrier safety administration reports to the division that the person poses an imminent hazard.

B. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than one year if the person:

(1) refuses to submit to a chemical test when requested pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act; or

(2) is convicted of a violation of:

(a) driving a commercial motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs in violation of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978, an ordinance of a municipality of this state or the law of another state;

(b) leaving the scene of an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle driven by the person in violation of Section 66-7-201 NMSA 1978 or an ordinance of a municipality of this state or the law of another state;

(d) driving a commercial motor vehicle after the driver's commercial driver's license is revoked, suspended, disqualified or canceled for violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle; or

(e) causing a fatality in the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle pursuant to Section 66-8-101 NMSA 1978.

C. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than three years if any of the violations specified in Subsection B of this section occur while transporting a hazardous material required to be placarded.

D. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life if convicted of two or more violations of any of the offenses specified in Subsection B of this section, or any combination of those offenses, arising from two or more separate incidents, but the secretary may issue regulations establishing guidelines, including conditions, under which a disqualification for life under this subsection may be reduced to a period of not less than ten years. This subsection applies only to those offenses committed after July 1, 1989.

E. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life if the person uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance or the possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense a controlled substance.

F. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than sixty days if convicted of two serious traffic violations or one hundred twenty days if convicted of three serious traffic violations, if the violations were committed while driving a commercial motor vehicle, arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period.

G. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than one hundred eighty days nor more than two years if the person is convicted of a first violation of an out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded pursuant to the federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act or while operating a motor vehicle designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than three years nor more than five years if, during any ten-year period, the person is convicted of any subsequent violations of out-of-service orders, in separate incidents, while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded pursuant to that act or while operating a motor vehicle designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver.

H. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for sixty days if:

(1) the person has been convicted of two serious traffic violations in separate incidents within a three-year period; and

(2) the second conviction results in revocation, cancellation or suspension of the person's commercial driver's license or noncommercial motor vehicle driving privileges for sixty days.

I. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for one hundred twenty days if:

(1) the person has been convicted of more than two serious traffic violations within a three-year period; and

(2) the third or a subsequent conviction results in the revocation, cancellation or suspension of the person's commercial driver's license or noncommercial motor vehicle driving privileges.

J. When a person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle, any commercial driver's license held by that person is invalidated without separate proceeding of any kind and the driver is not eligible to apply for a commercial driver's license until the period of time for which the driver was disqualified has elapsed.

K. The department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for not less than:

(1) sixty days if the person is convicted of a first violation of a railroad-highway grade crossing violation;

(2) one hundred twenty days if, during any three-year period, the person is convicted of a second railroad-highway grade crossing violation in a separate incident; and

(3) one year if, during any three-year period, the person is convicted of a third or subsequent railroad-highway grade crossing violation in a separate incident.

L. After disqualifying, suspending, revoking or canceling a commercial driver's license, the department shall, within ten days, update its records to reflect that action. After disqualifying, suspending, revoking or canceling a nonresident commercial driver's privileges, the department shall, within ten days, notify the licensing authority of the state that issued the commercial driver's license.

M. The department shall post and enforce any disqualification sent by the federal motor carrier safety administration to the division that indicates that a commercial motor vehicle driver poses an imminent hazard."

Section 19. Section 66-5-69 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 14, Section 18) is amended to read:

"66-5-69. NOTIFICATION OF TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS.--Within ten days after receiving a report of the conviction of a holder of a nonresident commercial driver's license for a violation of state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control other than a parking violation, committed in a commercial motor vehicle or a noncommercial motor vehicle, the division, after receipt of conviction information required pursuant to Section 66-5-28 NMSA 1978, shall forward the conviction information to the licensing authority that issued the commercial driver's license. A resident's conviction information shall be posted on the resident's motor vehicle record with the same speed used to post a nonresident's conviction information on the nonresident's motor vehicle record."

Section 20. Section 66-5-401 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 328, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-5-401. IDENTIFICATION CARDS.--

A. A person who does not have a valid New Mexico driver's license may be issued an identification card by the department certified by the applicant as to true name, correct age and other identifying data as the department may require. Every application for an identification card shall be signed by the applicant or the applicant's parent or guardian. The secretary may, for good cause, revoke or deny the issuance of an identification card.

B. Within the forms prescribed by the department for identification card applications, a space shall be provided to show whether the applicant is a donor as provided in the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. A person applying for an identification card may indicate that person's status on the space provided on the application. The donor status indicated by the applicant shall be displayed on the identification card. The form and identification card shall be signed by the donor in the presence of a witness who shall also sign the form in the donor's presence."

Section 21. Section 66-5-405 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 332, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-5-405. CONTENTS OF CARD.--The identification card shall adequately describe the registrant and bear his picture that shall show a full face or front view for all registrants and indicate donor status. All identification cards of persons under the age of twenty-one years shall have a printed legend indicating that the person is under twenty-one. The identification card shall bear the following statement:

"STATE OF NEW MEXICO IDENTIFICATION

CARD NO.____________

This card is provided solely for the purpose of establishing that the bearer described on the card was not the holder of a New Mexico driver's license as of the date of issuance of this card. This identification card is not a license. ISSUED FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY"."

Section 22. Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 358, as amended by Laws 2003, Chapter 175, Section 3 and by Laws 2003, Chapter 197, Section 3 and by Laws 2003, Chapter 198, Section 3 and by Laws 2003, Chapter 201, Section 3 and also by Laws 2003, Chapter 270, Section 6) is amended to read:

"66-6-23. DISPOSITION OF FEES.--

A. After the necessary disbursements for refunds and other purposes have been made, the money remaining in the motor vehicle suspense fund, except for remittances received within the previous two months that are unidentified as to source or disposition, shall be distributed as follows:

(1) to each municipality, county or fee agent operating a motor vehicle field office:

(a) an amount equal to six dollars ($6.00) per driver's license and three dollars ($3.00) per identification card or motor vehicle or motorboat registration or title transaction performed; and

(b) for each such agent determined by the secretary pursuant to Section 66-2-16 NMSA 1978 to have performed ten thousand or more transactions in the preceding fiscal year, other than a class A county with a population exceeding three hundred thousand or a municipality with a population exceeding three hundred thousand that has been designated as an agent pursuant to Section 66-2-14.1 NMSA 1978, an amount equal to one dollar ($1.00) in addition to the amount distributed pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this paragraph for each driver's license, identification card, motor vehicle registration, motorboat registration or title transaction performed;

(2) to each municipality or county, other than a class A county with a population exceeding three hundred thousand or a municipality with a population exceeding three hundred thousand that has been designated as an agent pursuant to Section 66-2-14.1 NMSA 1978, operating a motor vehicle field office, an amount equal to fifty cents ($.50) for each administrative service fee remitted by that county or municipality to the department pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of Section 66-2-16 NMSA 1978;

(3) to the state road fund:

(a) an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to Section 66-7-413.4 NMSA 1978;

(b) an amount equal to the fee collected pursuant to Section 66-3-417 NMSA 1978;

(c) the remainder of each driver's license fee collected by the department employees from an applicant to whom a license is granted after deducting from the driver's license fee the amount of the distribution authorized in Paragraph (1) of this subsection with respect to that collected driver's license fee; and

(d) an amount equal to fifty percent of the fees collected pursuant to Section 66-6-19 NMSA 1978;

(4) to the local governments road fund, the amount of the fees collected pursuant to Subsection B of Section 66-5-33.1 NMSA 1978 and the remainder of the fees collected pursuant to Subsection A of Section 66-5-408 NMSA 1978;

(5) to the department:

(a) any amounts reimbursed to the department pursuant to Subsection C of Section 66-2-14.1 NMSA 1978;

(b) an amount equal to two dollars ($2.00) of each motorcycle registration fee collected pursuant to Section 66-6-1 NMSA 1978;

(c) an amount equal to the fees provided for in Subsection D of Section 66-2-7 NMSA 1978, Subsection E of Section 66-2-16 NMSA 1978, Subsections J and K of Section 66-3-6 NMSA 1978 other than the administrative fee, Subsection C of Section 66-5-44 NMSA 1978 and Subsection B of Section 66‑5-408 NMSA 1978;

(d) the amounts due to the department for the manufacture and issuance of a special registration plate collected pursuant to the section of law authorizing the issuance of the specialty plate; and

(e) an amount equal to the registration fees collected pursuant to Section 66-6-6.1 NMSA 1978 for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act and for creating and maintaining a multilanguage noncommercial driver's license testing program;

(6) to each New Mexico institution of higher education, an amount equal to that part of the fees distributed pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subsection D of Section 66-3-416 NMSA 1978 proportionate to the number of special registration plates issued in the name of the institution to all such special registration plates issued in the name of all institutions;

(7) to the armed forces veterans license fund, the amount to be distributed pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subsection E of Section 66-3-419 NMSA 1978;

(8) to the children's trust fund, the amount to be distributed pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subsection D of Section 66-3-420 NMSA 1978;

(9) to the department of transportation, an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to Section 66-5-35 NMSA 1978;

(10) to the state equalization guarantee distribution made annually pursuant to the general appropriation act, an amount equal to one hundred percent of the driver safety fee collected pursuant to Subsection D of Section 66-5-44 NMSA 1978;

(11) to the motorcycle training fund, two dollars ($2.00) of each motorcycle registration fee collected pursuant to Section 66-6-1 NMSA 1978;

(12) to the tire recycling fund:

(a) fifty cents ($.50) of the tire recycling fee collected pursuant to the provisions of Section 66-6-1 NMSA 1978;

(b) fifty cents ($.50) of each of the tire recycling fees collected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 66-6-2 and 66-6-4 NMSA 1978; and

(c) twenty-five cents ($.25) of each of the tire recycling fees collected pursuant to Sections 66-6-5 and 66-6-8 NMSA 1978;

(13) to the highway infrastructure fund:

(a) fifty cents ($.50) of the tire recycling fee collected pursuant to the provisions of Section 66-6-1 NMSA 1978;

(b) one dollar ($1.00) of each of the tire recycling fees collected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 66-6-2 and 66-6-4 NMSA 1978; and

(c) twenty-five cents ($.25) of each of the tire recycling fees collected pursuant to Sections 66-6-5 and 66-6-8 NMSA 1978;

(14) to each county, an amount equal to fifty percent of the fees collected pursuant to Section 66-6-19 NMSA 1978 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total mileage of public roads maintained by the county and the denominator of which is the total mileage of public roads maintained by all counties in the state;

(15) to the litter control and beautification fund, an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to Section 66-6-6.2 NMSA 1978; and

(16) to the local government division of the department of finance and administration, an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to Section 66-3-424.3 NMSA 1978 for distribution to each county to support animal control spaying and neutering programs in an amount proportionate to the number of residents of that county who have purchased pet care special registration plates pursuant to Section 66‑3‑424.3 NMSA 1978.

B. The balance, exclusive of unidentified remittances, shall be distributed in accordance with Section 66-6-23.1 NMSA 1978.

C. If any of the paragraphs, subsections or sections referred to in Subsection A of this section are recompiled or otherwise redesignated without a corresponding change to Subsection A of this section, the reference in Subsection A of this section shall be construed to be the recompiled or redesignated paragraph, subsection or section."

Section 23. APPLICABILITY.--The distributions of fees pursuant to Section 22 of this act are applicable for fees collected on or after April 1, 2004.

Section 24. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this act is July 1, 2004.

Section 25. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

HTC/HB 175

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