44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO VETERANS; CHANGING PROVISIONS FOR ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES TO DISABLED VETERANS; PROVIDING FOR FREE STATE PARK PASSES TO 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--ONE HUNDRED PERCENT DISABLED VETERANS--SUBMISSION OF PROOF--PENALTY.--

A. The [division] department shall issue distinctive registration plates for up to two vehicles to [any] a person who is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, as defined in Section 28-13-7 NMSA 1978, and was one hundred percent disabled while serving in the armed forces of the United States, upon the submission by the person of proof satisfactory to the [division] department that he was one hundred percent disabled while serving in the armed forces of the United States. No fee, including the regular registration fee applicable to the passenger motor vehicle, if any, shall be collected for issuance of a special registration plate pursuant to this section. [Any] 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 and 66-3-411 NMSA 1978 shall be issued only one special registration plate of his choice.

B. No person shall falsely represent himself to have been one hundred percent 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 he in fact was not one hundred percent disabled while serving in the armed forces of the United States.

C. [Any] A person eligible for a special registration plate under this section shall only be eligible for one such plate.

D. [Any] A person who violates the provisions of Subsection B of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor."

Section 2. [NEW MATERIAL] FREE STATE PARK PASSES TO DISABLED VETERANS.--The state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department shall provide up to three free passes for entry into and use of state parks to a one-hundred percent disabled veteran residing in the state. Proof of disability satisfactory to the division is required to obtain the free passes.

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 1999.