45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

RELATING TO WILDLIFE; CREATING THE SHARE WITH WILDLIFE PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES FEATURING ARTWORK OF NEW MEXICO WILDLIFE.

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

Section 1. Section 17-1-5.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1994, Chapter 129, Section 1) is amended to read:

"17-1-5.1. CONSERVATION SERVICES DIVISION--DUTIES--SHARE WITH WILDLIFE PROGRAM.--

A. The "conservation services division" is created within the department of game and fish.

B. The conservation services division is responsible for:

(1) management, enhancement, research and conservation of public wildlife habitat;

(2) the lease, purchase, enhancement and management of state wildlife habitat;

(3) assisting landowners in improving wildlife habitats;

(4) development of educational programs related to conservation of wildlife and the environment, including the expanded dissemination of wildlife publications; and

(5) communication and consultation with federal and other state agencies, local governments and communities, private organizations and affected interests responsible for habitat, wilderness, recreation, water quality and environmental protection to ensure comprehensive conservation services for hunters, anglers and nonconsumptive wildlife users.

C. The "share with wildlife program" is created in the conservation services division to study, manage, enhance and conserve nongame species, including sensitive species and other species of concern. To carry out its purposes, the program may accept public or private funds, including gifts, grants, donations, bequests and devises."

Section 2. A new section of the Motor Vehicle Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] SPECIAL WILDLIFE ARTWORK REGISTRATION PLATES--PROCEDURES--FEE.--

A. The department shall establish and issue special registration plates featuring artwork of New Mexico wildlife for any private motor vehicle except a motorcycle. The department shall adopt procedures for application for and issuance of the special wildlife artwork registration plates.

B. The director of the department of game and fish shall designate a "share with wildlife" license plate design committee that shall recommend to the director the color and design of the special wildlife artwork registration plate. The director in cooperation with the secretary shall determine the design of the special wildlife artwork registration plates. No personalized or vanity design variation of the special wildlife artwork registration plates shall be issued.

C. For a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, any owner of a motor vehicle may apply for the issuance of a special wildlife artwork registration plate. The owner of a motor vehicle shall apply for the plate and pay the twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee for the first year and ten dollars ($10.00) for each subsequent year if he wishes to retain and renew a special wildlife artwork registration plate.

D. The revenue from the additional fee for a special wildlife artwork registration plate shall be distributed as follows:

(1) ten dollars ($10.00) of the initial fee collected 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) fifteen dollars ($15.00) of the initial fee and the entire renewal fee collected shall be distributed to the share with wildlife program of the game protection fund.

E. Souvenir sample registration plates may be issued by the department of game and fish and sold for a fee of ten dollars ($10.00). Revenues from the sale of the sample plates shall be distributed to the share with wildlife program of the game protection fund.

F. The director of the department of game and fish may conduct a lottery or auction for the first one hundred special wildlife artwork registration plates to be issued by the department. Any additional revenues from the lottery or auction shall be distributed to the share with wildlife program of the game protection fund."