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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE MOTOR

VEHICLE DIVISION OF THE TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO

STUDY THE INCREASING PROBLEM OF AUTO THEFT IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, the federal bureau of investigation reports

that every twenty-six seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in

the United States, with western states accounting for the

largest share of auto theft; and

WHEREAS, only twelve and six-tenths percent of auto

thefts were cleared by arrest in 2006; and

WHEREAS, the number of auto thefts increased in New

Mexico by fifteen and four-tenths percent in 2006, with over

nine thousand vehicles reported stolen, while nationwide the

number of auto thefts decreased by three and four-tenths

percent; and

WHEREAS, out of three hundred sixty-one metropolitan

areas studied in 2006, Albuquerque had the thirteenth-highest

rate of auto thefts, which increased by forty-five percent

from 2006; and

WHEREAS, stolen vehicles are being used in the

commission of other crimes and are increasingly being used to

assault peace officers; and

WHEREAS, in January 2008, the extreme home makeover

reality show, while building a new home for an Albuquerque

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family, had its Ford F-550 truck and the tools in the truck

stolen, the very first theft experienced by that show; and

WHEREAS, persons committing auto theft are becoming more

organized and knowledgeable, changing vehicle identification

numbers, obtaining titles and registrations under false

pretense and dismantling vehicles for their components; and

WHEREAS, current vehicle title and registration laws

allow for deceptive practices with regard to the ownership and

identification numbers of vehicles;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary

of public safety and the director of the motor vehicle

division of the taxation and revenue department be requested

to assemble a task force that includes representatives from

local law enforcement agencies, motor vehicle insurance

providers or agents, the attorney general's office, the

district attorneys' association and other relevant or

interested parties to conduct a comprehensive study of the

problem of auto theft in New Mexico, including the dismantling

of vehicles for their components, the illegal exporting of

stolen vehicles and the changing of vehicle identification

numbers in order to sell stolen vehicles, and to make

recommendations on changes to the law or regulations as

necessary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force examine

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current certificate of title laws and procedures in New Mexico

and make recommendations on how these laws or procedures can

be enhanced to thwart deceptive practices by car thieves and

their accomplices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report on its

study and recommendations to the appropriate interim

legislative committee during the 2008 interim and no later

than November 1, 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of public safety and the director

of the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue

department.