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

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; REQUIRING EQUIPMENT STANDARDS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

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

Section 1. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.--Standards for motor vehicle equipment safety shall be developed by the traffic safety bureau of the state highway and transportation department for implementation in fiscal year 2002. Standards to be adopted are limited to generally accepted national criteria for a motor vehicle's braking and lighting systems, and giving full consideration to the geographic and economic circumstances of the state's rural and border populations as they may affect safe motor vehicle operation. The department shall design a brake and light safety inspection program to be operated under contract with the state, to be effective only in municipalities and counties that have not implemented a motor vehicle safety inspection program prior to June 30, 2000.

Section 2. MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION PREREQUISITE--NOTICE.--

A. Effective July 1, 2002, the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department shall issue motor vehicle registrations or registration renewals only for vehicles that have successfully passed a brake and light safety inspection, as demonstrated by a vehicle inspection safety certification decal fixed to the inside lower passenger corner of the vehicle's windshield, or in the case of a vehicle without a windshield, on the left side of the vehicle dashboard or the left handlebar.

B. Effective July 1, 2001, the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department shall include with the issuance of registration a notice informing the vehicle owner of the motor vehicle safety inspection program and requirements for certification and registration beginning July 1, 2002.