EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 481 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-11 agricultural or construction work is being actively performed; and

2-1 (b) The title or registration of a vehicle described in paragraph (a) to

2-2 determine the rightful ownership or possession of the vehicle or an

2-3 identifiable component part.

2-4 2. Whenever possible, a person who conducts an inspection pursuant

2-5 to this section shall conduct the inspection at such a time and in such a

2-6 manner as to minimize any interference with or delay of the business

2-7 operations of the establishment where the inspection takes place.

2-8 3. As used in this section:

2-9 (a) "Garage" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 487.540.

2-10 (b) "Identifiable component part" means a component of a motor

2-11 vehicle that may be distinguished from other similar components by a

2-12 serial number or other distinguishing number, sign or mark.

2-13 (c) "Local law enforcement agency" means:

2-14 (1) The sheriff's office of a county;

2-15 (2) A metropolitan police department; or

2-16 (3) A police department of an incorporated city.

2-17 (d) "Vehicle" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 482.135.

2-18 Sec. 2. Chapter 482 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the

2-19 provisions set forth as sections 3 and 4 of this act.

2-20 Sec. 3. As used in NRS 482.545 to 482.553, inclusive, and section 4

2-21 of this act, unless the context otherwise requires, "identification number

2-22 or mark" means:

2-23 1. The motor number, other distinguishing number or identification

2-24 mark of a vehicle required or employed for purposes of registration; or

2-25 2. The identification number or other distinguishing number or

2-26 identification mark of a vehicle or part of a motor vehicle that was placed

2-27 or stamped on that vehicle or part by the manufacturer pursuant to

2-28 federal law or regulation.

2-29 Sec. 4. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3 and 4, a

2-30 person who knowingly:

2-31 (a) Buys with the intent to resell;

2-32 (b) Disposes of;

2-33 (c) Sells; or

2-34 (d) Transfers,

2-35 more than one motor vehicle or parts from more than one motor vehicle

2-36 that have an identification number or mark that is defaced, destroyed or

2-37 altered to misrepresent the identity or to prevent the identification of the

2-38 motor vehicles or parts of the motor vehicles, is guilty of a category B

2-39 felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a

2-40 minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more

2-41 than 10 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than

2-42 $60,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.

3-1 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3 and 4, a person who

3-2 knowingly possesses with the intent to sell, transfer, import or export

3-3 more than one motor vehicle or parts from more than one motor vehicle

3-4 that have an identification number or mark that is defaced, destroyed or

3-5 altered to misrepresent the identity or prevent the identification of the

3-6 motor vehicles or parts of the motor vehicles, is guilty of a category D

3-7 felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130, and may be

3-8 further punished by a fine of not more than $30,000.

3-9 3. The provisions of this section do not apply to a licensed

3-10 automobile wrecker or salvage pool that in the normal, legal course of

3-11 business and in good faith, processes a motor vehicle or part of a motor

3-12 vehicle by crushing, compacting or using other similar methods to

3-13 process the motor vehicle or part if:

3-14 (a) The identification number or mark of the motor vehicle or part of

3-15 a motor vehicle was not defaced, destroyed or altered before the

3-16 processing; or

3-17 (b) The motor vehicle or part of a motor vehicle was obtained from a

3-18 person described in subsection 4.

3-19 4. The provisions of this section do not apply to an owner of or

3-20 person authorized to possess a motor vehicle or part of a motor vehicle:

3-21 (a) If the motor vehicle or part of a motor vehicle was recovered by a

3-22 law enforcement agency after having been stolen; or

3-23 (b) If the condition of the identification number or mark of the motor

3-24 vehicle or part of the motor vehicle is known to, or has been reported to,

3-25 a law enforcement agency.

3-26 5. For the purposes of this section:

3-27 (a) "Automobile wrecker" means a person who obtains a license

3-28 pursuant to NRS 487.050 to dismantle, scrap, process or wreck a vehicle.

3-29 (b) "Salvage pool" has the meaning ascribed to it in subsection 2 of

3-30 NRS 487.400.

3-31 Sec. 5. NRS 482.545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-32 482.545 It is unlawful for any person to commit any of the following

4-1 2. To display, cause or permit to be displayed or to have in possession

4-2 any certificate of registration, license plate, certificate of ownership or

4-3 other document of title knowing it to be fictitious or to have been canceled,

4-4 revoked, suspended or altered.

4-5 3. To lend to or knowingly permit the use of by one not entitled

4-6 thereto any registration card or plate issued to the person so lending or

4-7 permitting the use thereof.

4-8 4. To fail or to refuse to surrender to the department, upon demand,

4-9 any registration card or plate which has been suspended, canceled or

4-10 revoked as provided in this chapter.

4-11 5. To use a false or fictitious name or address in any application for

4-12 the registration of any vehicle or for any renewal or duplicate thereof, or

4-13 knowingly to make a false statement or knowingly to conceal a material

4-14 fact or otherwise commit a fraud in an application. A violation of this

4-15 subsection is a gross misdemeanor.

4-16 6. Knowingly to operate a vehicle which:

4-17 (a) Has an altered [vehicle identification number, serial number, motor

4-18 number, or other distinguishing number or] identification number or mark

4-19 ; [required for registration;] or

4-20 (b) Contains a part which has an altered identification number or [other

4-21 distinguishing number or identification mark which was placed or stamped

4-22 on the part by the manufacturer pursuant to federal law or regulation.]

4-23 mark.

4-24 Sec. 6. NRS 482.553 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-25 482.553 1. A person shall not intentionally deface, destroy or alter

4-41 (a) If an open trailer, on the left-hand side of the tongue of the trailer.

5-1 (b) If an enclosed vehicle, on the pillar post for the left-hand door

5-2 hinge, or if such placement is not appropriate, then on the left-hand side of

5-3 the fire wall, under the hood.

5-4 4. Any person who violates [any provisions] a provision of subsection

5-5 1 is guilty of a [gross misdemeanor.] category D felony and shall be

5-6 punished as provided in NRS 193.130, and may be further punished by a

5-7 fine of not more than $25,000.

5-8 Sec. 7. Chapter 205 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

5-25 to it in NRS 482.075.

5-26 Sec. 8. The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to offenses

5-27 that were committed before October 1, 1999.