RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES FOR NEW MEXICO FIREFIGHTERS; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE CODE.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Motor Vehicle Code is enacted to read:

" SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES FOR FIREFIGHTERS.--

A. The division shall issue special registration plates to any person employed as a New Mexico firefighter, upon the submission by the person of proof satisfactory to the division that he is currently employed as a New Mexico firefighter, including submission of a signed consent form from the fire chief.

B. No person shall represent himself to be a New Mexico firefighter if he is, in fact, not a New Mexico firefighter. The director shall determine what constitutes satisfactory proof of employment as a New Mexico firefighter.

C. A person who violates the provisions of Subsection B of this section is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.

D. A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee, shall be collected by the department for the original issuance of the special registration plate for New Mexico firefighters.

E. Ten dollars ($10.00) of the fee collected pursuant to Subsection D of this section shall be retained by the department and shall be appropriated to the department to defray the cost of making and issuing special registration plates for New Mexico firefighters.

F. The amount of the fee collected pursuant to this section less any amount distributed pursuant to Subsection E of this section shall be deposited in the motor vehicle suspense fund for distribution in accordance with Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978.

G. The director shall approve the final plate design for the special registration plates for New Mexico firefighters in accordance with New Mexico law.

H. When the firefighter holding a special plate ceases to be employed as a firefighter, he shall immediately remove the plate from the vehicle and return it to the director, at which time it shall be exchanged for a regular registration plate. When a firefighter holding a special plate retires from his position as firefighter, he may retain the special plate."

HB 190

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