RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING FOR ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 66, Article 3 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES.--

A. The division shall establish and issue a special registration plate featuring artwork designed by the grand lodge of ancient free and accepted Masons of New Mexico and shall adopt procedures for application for and issuance of the special Mason's registration plate and plates for the Elks, Moose, Eagles and Sertoma lodges.

B. An owner of a motor vehicle who is a member of a fraternal lodge identified in Subsection A of this section may apply for the issuance of a special registration plate for a fee of forty dollars ($40.00), in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees. The owner of a motor vehicle shall apply and pay a fee each year that he wishes to retain and renew his special registration plate.

C. The revenue from the special registration plates shall be distributed as follows:

(1) fifteen dollars ($15.00) of the fee collected for each registration plate shall be retained by the division in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 and is appropriated to the division for the manufacture and issuance of the registration plates. Thereafter, that amount of each fee shall be paid to the state treasurer for credit to the motor vehicle suspense fund for distribution in accordance with Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978; and

(2) twenty-five dollars ($25.00) of the fee collected for each registration plate shall be distributed to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico for support of the cancer research and treatment center."