HOUSE MEMORIAL 53

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

William "Bill" R. Rehm

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION OF THE TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE INCREASING PROBLEM OF AUTO THEFT IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the federal bureau of investigation reports that every twenty-six seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States, with western states accounting for the largest share of auto theft; and

     WHEREAS, only twelve and six-tenths percent of auto thefts were cleared by arrest in 2006; and

     WHEREAS, the number of auto thefts increased in New Mexico by fifteen and four-tenths percent in 2006, with over nine thousand vehicles reported stolen, while nationwide the number of auto thefts decreased by three and four-tenths percent; and

     WHEREAS, out of three hundred sixty-one metropolitan areas studied in 2006, Albuquerque had the thirteenth-highest rate of auto thefts, which increased by forty-five percent from 2005; and

     WHEREAS, stolen vehicles are being used in the commission of other crimes and are increasingly being used to assault peace officers; and

     WHEREAS, in January 2008, the extreme home makeover reality show, while building a new home for an Albuquerque family, had its Ford F-550 truck and the tools in the truck stolen, the very first theft experienced by that show; and

     WHEREAS, persons committing auto theft are becoming more organized and knowledgeable, changing vehicle identification numbers, obtaining titles and registrations under false pretense and dismantling vehicles for their components; and

     WHEREAS, current vehicle title and registration laws allow for deceptive practices with regard to the ownership and identification numbers of vehicles;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of public safety and the director of the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department be requested to assemble a task force that includes representatives from local law enforcement agencies, motor vehicle insurance providers or agents, the attorney general's office, the district attorneys' association and other relevant or interested parties to conduct a comprehensive study of the problem of auto theft in New Mexico, including the dismantling of vehicles for their components, the illegal exporting of stolen vehicles and the changing of vehicle identification numbers in order to sell stolen vehicles, and to make recommendations on changes to the law or regulations as necessary; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force examine current certificate of title laws and procedures in New Mexico and make recommendations on how these laws or procedures can be enhanced to thwart deceptive practices by car thieves and their accomplices; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report on its study and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee during the 2008 interim and no later than November 1, 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public safety and the director of the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department.

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