SENATE BILL 297

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Ron Griggs

AN ACT

RELATING TO SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES; PROVIDING INCREASED OPTIONS OF FREE SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES FOR FIFTY PERCENT OR MORE DISABLED VETERANS.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 66-3-412 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 299, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-3-412. SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES--FIFTY PERCENT OR MORE DISABLED VETERANS--SUBMISSION OF PROOF--PENALTY.--

          A. The department shall issue distinctive registration plates for up to two vehicles, including motorcycles, to a person who is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States and was fifty percent or more disabled while serving in the armed forces of the United States, upon the submission by the person of proof satisfactory to the department that the person was fifty percent or more disabled while serving in the armed forces of the United States. No fee, including the regular registration fee applicable to the passenger motor vehicle or regular motorcycle registration fees, if any, shall be collected for issuance of [a] up to two special registration [plate] plates pursuant to this section. A person eligible for a special registration plate pursuant to this section and also eligible for one or more special registration plates pursuant to Sections [66-3-406] 66-3-409, 66-3-411, [and] 66-3-412.1, 66-3-414, 66-3-415, 66-3-419, 66-3-424.4, 66-3-424.7, 66-3-424.10, 66-3-424.11, 66-3-424.20 and 66-3-424.21 NMSA 1978 shall be issued [only one] up to two special registration [plate] plates for which the person is eligible, in any combination of the person's choice of the special registration plates cited in this section free of charge, notwithstanding any fee that would otherwise be charged for a special registration plate.

          B. No person shall falsely make any representation as having been fifty percent or more disabled while serving in the armed forces of the United States so as to be eligible to be issued special registration plates pursuant to this section when the person in fact was not fifty percent or more disabled while serving in the armed forces of the United States.

          C. A person who violates the provisions of Subsection B of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

          D. As used in this section, "veteran" means an individual who was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned, who was accepted for and assigned to active duty in the armed forces of the United States and who was not separated from such service under circumstances amounting to dishonorable discharge."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2017.

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