HOUSE BILL 305

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

William "Bill" R. Rehm

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION PLATES AND VALIDATING STICKERS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR OF VEHICLES; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS; PROHIBITING CERTAIN PLATE AND PERMIT DISPLAYS; AUTHORIZING A FEE.

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

     Section 1. Section 66-3-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,

Chapter 35, Section 34, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-3-14. REGISTRATION PLATES OR VALIDATING STICKERS TO BE FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT--REFLECTIVE MATERIAL.--

          A. The department upon registering a vehicle shall issue [a] two identical registration [plate] plates or [a] validating [sticker] stickers to the owner of the vehicle, except that for the short-term registration of a foreign commercial motor carrier vehicle or the registration of a manufactured home, proportionally registered fleet vehicle, one-way rental fleet vehicle, horseless carriage, trailer or off-highway motor vehicle, the department shall issue a single registration plate or validating sticker to the owner of the vehicle. [The] Validating [sticker] stickers may be designed and required to be placed on [the] registration [plate] plates or elsewhere on [the vehicle] vehicles as prescribed by the department.

          B. Each registration plate shall have a background of reflective material such that the registration number assigned to the vehicle is plainly legible from a distance of one hundred feet at night. The colors shall include those of the state flag, except prestige and special plates.

          C. Each registration plate shall have displayed upon it:

                (1) the registration number assigned to the person to whom it was issued; and

                (2) the name of this state.

          D. The department shall issue no registration plates for privately owned vehicles that contain the words "staff officer" or any other title except as otherwise provided by law.

          E. All registration plates for private vehicles shall be alike in form except for the owner's registration number and except for special registration plates.  

          F. The department shall adopt registration number systems for registration plates.

          [F.] G. In lieu of or in addition to [a] registration [plate] plates or [sticker] validating stickers for commercial motor vehicles, the department may issue an electronic identifying device."

     Section 2. Section 66-3-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 38, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-3-18. DISPLAY OF REGISTRATION PLATES AND TEMPORARY REGISTRATION PERMITS--DISPLAYS PROHIBITED AND ALLOWED.--

          A. [The registration plate] One of the two identical registration plates issued pursuant to Section

66-3-14 NMSA 1978 shall be attached to the [rear] frontmost part and the other shall be attached to the rearmost part of the vehicle for which it is issued; [however, the registration plate shall be attached to the front of a road tractor or truck tractor. The] provided that a single registration plate issued or validated prior to January 1, 2010 and attached to the rearmost part of the vehicle shall not be a violation of this section and shall be valid until the expiration date. If only one registration plate is issued pursuant to Section 66-3-14 NMSA 1978, the plate shall be attached to the rearmost part of the vehicle for which it is issued. A registration plate shall be securely fastened at all times in a fixed horizontal position at a height of not less than twelve inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate. It shall be in a place and position so as to be clearly visible, and it shall be maintained free from foreign material and in a condition to be clearly legible.

          B. A demonstration or temporary registration permit shall only be firmly affixed to the [inside] rearmost part of the vehicle or the left side of the rear window of the vehicle to which it is issued, unless such display presents a safety hazard or the demonstration or temporary registration permit is not visible or readable from that position, in which case, the demonstration or temporary registration permit shall be displayed in such a manner that it is clearly visible from the rear [or left side] of the vehicle.

          C. No vehicle while being operated on the highways of this state shall have displayed either on the front or the rear of the vehicle any registration plate, including a validating sticker, other than one issued or validated for the current registration period by the department or any other licensing authority having jurisdiction over the vehicle. [No expired registration plate or validating sticker shall be displayed on the vehicle other than an expired special registration plate, which may be exhibited on the front of the vehicle.

          D. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the use of a promotional or advertising plate on the front of the vehicle.]" 

     Section 3. A new section of the Motor Vehicle Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] ADDITIONAL FEE--SECOND REGISTRATION PLATE.--For the registration of a vehicle that is issued two identical registration plates pursuant to Section 66-3-14 NMSA 1978, the department may impose an additional fee in an amount determined by the department to be sufficient to cover the costs of issuing the second plate, but not to exceed five dollars ($5.00)." 

     Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is January 1, 2010.

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