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

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; IMPOSING AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR THE TRIP TAX; IMPOSING AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR PERMITS FOR TRANSPORTING VEHICLES AND PERMITS FOR VEHICLES OF EXCESSIVE SIZE AND WEIGHT; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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:

"[NEW MATERIAL] ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.--

A. The motor transportation division of the department of public safety shall impose an administrative fee of one dollar ($1.00) per transaction for permits issued pursuant to Sections 7-15-3.1, 66-3-302 and 66-7-413 NMSA 1978.

B. One half of the administrative fees collected pursuant to this section shall be used by the motor transportation division of the department of public safety for the implementation, operation and maintenance of the New Mexico commercial vehicle information systems and network. The remainder of the administrative fees shall be deposited in the state road fund."

Section 2. Section 66-3-302 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 78, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-302. [CARAVAN TAX] SPECIAL PERMITS FOR TRANSPORTING VEHICLES.--

A. No person or any employee, agent or representative of the person shall use the highways of New Mexico for the transportation of any vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in another state or whether the vehicle is transported on its own wheels or on another vehicle or by being drawn or towed behind another, if the vehicle is transported by any person or the agents or employees of that person engaged in the business of transporting vehicles or if the [vehicles are] vehicle is being transported for the purpose of delivery to any purchaser of the [vehicles] vehicle on a sale or contract of sale previously made, unless the vehicle carries:

(1) a valid New Mexico registration plate;

(2) a valid dealer's plate issued by the department;

(3) a special permit for the use of the highways of this state for the transportation of the vehicle in the manner in which the vehicle is being transported, which has first been obtained and the fee paid as specified in this section; or

(4) a valid temporary transportation permit issued under Subsection B of Section 66-3-6 NMSA 1978.

B. Special permits for the use of the highways of this state for the transportation of such vehicles shall be issued by the department upon application on the form prescribed by the department and upon payment of a fee of seven dollars fifty cents ($7.50) for each vehicle transported by use of its own power and a fee of five dollars ($5.00) for each vehicle carried in or on another vehicle or towed or drawn by another vehicle and not transported in whole or in part by the use of its own power. Every permit shall show upon its face the registration number assigned to each vehicle, the name and address of the owner, the manner of transportation authorized and a description of the vehicle registered, including the engine number. The permit shall be carried at all times by the person in charge of the vehicle. A suitable tag or placard for each vehicle may be issued by the department and, if issued, shall be at all times displayed on each vehicle being transported. No such permit, tag or placard shall be used upon or in connection with the transportation of any vehicle other than the one for which the permit, tag or placard is issued.

C. [This tax shall not apply to] Special permits shall not be required for the transportation of vehicles carried on another vehicle for the operation of which a weight distance tax is paid, nor shall the vehicle transported be required to carry a registration plate or temporary transportation permits. The motor transportation division of the department of public safety and the New Mexico state police are authorized to impound any vehicle transported in violation of the Motor Transportation Act until a proper permit has been secured and any fine levied has been paid."

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2002.