SB257_EN

Senate Bill No. 257–Senators Wiener, O’Donnell, Care, Carlton, Shaffer, Amodei, Jacobsen, Titus and Washington

CHAPTER..........

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; providing for the issuance of special license plates recognizing current or former service as a volunteer fire fighter; imposing a fee for the issuance and renewal of those license plates to pay expenses related to the training of volunteer fire fighters; limiting the issuance of special license plates indicating current or former employment as a professional full-time salaried fire fighter; imposing a fee for the issuance and renewal of those license plates to be distributed among certain facilities for the treatment of burns which are located within the State of Nevada; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Chapter 482 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

new section to read as follows:

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the department, in

cooperation with the Nevada State Firefighters’ Association or its

successor, shall design, prepare and issue license plates that recognize

current or former service as a volunteer fire fighter using any colors and

designs which the department deems appropriate. The department shall

not design, prepare or issue the license plates unless it receives at least

250 applications for the issuance of those plates.

2. The department shall issue license plates that recognize current or

former service as a volunteer fire fighter for a passenger car or a light

commercial vehicle upon application by a qualified person who is

entitled to license plates pursuant to NRS 482.265 and who otherwise

complies with the requirements for registration and licensing pursuant

to this chapter. A person may request that personalized prestige license

plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667 be combined with license plates

that recognize current or former service as a volunteer fire fighter if that

person pays the fees for the personalized prestige license plates in

addition to the fees for the license plates that recognize current or

former service as a volunteer fire fighter.

3. An application for the issuance or renewal of license plates that

recognize current or former service as a volunteer fire fighter is void

unless it is accompanied by documentation which, in the determination

of the department, provides reasonable proof of the identity of the

applicant and proof of his current service as a volunteer fire fighter or

his status as a former volunteer fire fighter who retired from service as a

volunteer fire fighter within this state after completing at least 10 years

of active service. Proof of an applicant’s current or former service as a

volunteer fire fighter must consist of:

(a) An identification card which indicates that the applicant currently

serves as a volunteer fire fighter; or

(b) A letter from the chief officer of a volunteer or combination fire

department certifying the applicant’s current or former service as a

volunteer fire fighter.

4. The fee payable to the department for license plates that recognize

current or former service as a volunteer fire fighter is $35, in addition to

all other applicable registration and license fees and governmental

services taxes. The license plates are renewable upon the payment to the

department of $10 in addition to all other applicable registration and

license fees and governmental services taxes.

5. In addition to all other applicable registration and license fees and

governmental services taxes and the fees prescribed in subsection 4, a

person who requests a set of license plates that recognize current or

former service as a volunteer fire fighter must pay for the initial

issuance of the plates an additional fee of $25 and for each renewal of

the plates an additional fee of $20 to support the training of volunteer

fire fighters.

6. The department shall deposit the fees collected pursuant to

subsection 5 with the state treasurer for credit to the state general fund.

The state treasurer shall account separately for the money deposited

pursuant to this subsection and reserve such money for expenditure by

the state fire marshal in accordance with this subsection. The state fire

marshal may expend the money reserved pursuant to this subsection

solely for the support of, and to pay expenses related to, training for

volunteer fire fighters provided by or as directed by the board of

directors of the Nevada State Firefighters’ Association or its successor.

7. If, during a registration year, the holder of license plates issued

pursuant to the provisions of this section disposes of the vehicle to which

the plates are affixed, the holder shall:

(a) Retain the plates and affix them to another vehicle that meets the

requirements of this section if the transfer and registration fees are paid

as set out in this chapter; or

(b) Within 30 days after removing the plates from the vehicle, return

them to the department.

8. As used in this section:

(a) “Combination fire department” means a fire department that is:

(1) Served by both volunteer and full-time salaried fire fighters; and

(2) Recognized as such by the state fire marshal.

(b) “Volunteer fire department” means a fire department recognized

as a bona fide volunteer fire department by the state fire marshal.

unpaid capacity in a volunteer or combination fire department within

this state as a fire fighter for the benefit or safety of the public.

Sec. 2. NRS 482.216 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.216 1. Upon the request of a new vehicle dealer, the department

may authorize the new vehicle dealer to:

(a) Accept applications for the registration of the new motor vehicles he

sells and the related fees and taxes;

(b) Issue certificates of registration to applicants who satisfy the

requirements of this chapter; and

482.399 if the applicant purchased from the new vehicle dealer a new

vehicle to which the registration is to be transferred.

2. A new vehicle dealer who is authorized to issue certificates of

registration pursuant to subsection 1 shall:

(a) Transmit the applications he receives to the department within the

period prescribed by the department;

(b) Transmit the fees he collects from the applicants and properly

account for them within the period prescribed by the department;

(d) Bear any cost of equipment which is necessary to issue certificates

of registration, including any computer hardware or software.

3. A new vehicle dealer who is authorized to issue certificates of

registration pursuant to subsection 1 shall not:

(a) Charge any additional fee for the performance of those services;

(b) Receive compensation from the department for the performance of

those services;

vehicle; or

(d) Accept an application for the registration of a motor vehicle if the

applicant wishes to:

(1) Obtain special license plates pursuant to NRS 482.3667 to

482.3825, inclusive [;] , and section 1 of this act; or

(2) Claim the exemption from the governmental services tax provided

pursuant to NRS 361.1565 to veterans and their relations.

4. The director shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to carry

out the provisions of this section. The regulations adopted pursuant to this

subsection must provide for:

(a) The expedient and secure issuance of license plates and decals by

the department; and

(b) The withdrawal of the authority granted to a new vehicle dealer

pursuant to subsection 1 if that dealer fails to comply with the regulations

adopted by the department.

Sec. 3. NRS 482.3753 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.3753 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the

department, in cooperation with professional full-time salaried fire

fighters in the State of Nevada, shall design, prepare and issue license

plates that recognize current or former employment as a professional full

-time salaried fire fighter using any colors and designs which the

department deems appropriate. The department shall not design, prepare or

issue the license plates unless it receives at least 250 applications for the

issuance of those plates.

2. The department shall issue license plates that recognize current or

former employment as a professional full-time salaried fire fighter for a

passenger car or a light commercial vehicle upon application by a

qualified person who is entitled to license plates pursuant to NRS 482.265

and who otherwise complies with the requirements for registration and

licensing pursuant to this chapter. A person may request that personalized

prestige license plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667 be combined with

license plates that recognize current or former employment as a

professional full-time salaried fire fighter if that person pays the fees for

the personalized prestige license plates in addition to the fees for the

license plates that recognize current or former employment as a

professional full-time salaried fire fighter.

3. An application for the issuance or renewal of license plates that

recognize current or former employment as a professional full-time

salaried fire fighter is void unless it is accompanied by documentation

which, in the determination of the department, provides reasonable proof of

the identity of the applicant and proof of his [current] :

(a) Current employment as a professional full-time salaried fire fighter

; or [his status]

(b) Status as a [retired] former professional full-time salaried fire

fighter[. Such documentation may include, but is not limited to:] who

retired from employment after completing at least 10 years of creditable

service as a fire fighter within this state with:

(1) A fire department; or

(2) A federal or state agency, the duties of which involve the

prevention and suppression of fires, including, without limitation, the

Bureau of Land Management and the division of forestry of the state

department of conservation and natural resources.

4. Proof of an applicant’s current or former employment as a

professional full-time salaried fire fighter must consist of:

(a) An identification card [which indicates that the applicant is currently

employed as a professional fire fighter or is currently a member of a fire

-fighters’ union; or

(b) Evidence of his] issued by the Professional Fire Fighters of

Nevada or its successor;

(b) An identification card issued by the Nevada Fire Chiefs

Association or its successor; or

a professional full-time salaried fire fighter [.

4.], which letter must be from:

(1) The Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada or its successor;

(2) The Nevada Fire Chiefs Association or its successor; or

(3) The chief officer of a federal or state agency, the duties of which

involve the prevention and suppression of fires, including, without

limitation, the Bureau of Land Management and the division of forestry

of the state department of conservation and natural resources.

5. The fee payable to the department for license plates that recognize

current or former employment as a professional full-time salaried fire

fighter is $35, in addition to all other applicable registration and license

fees and governmental services taxes. The license plates are renewable

upon the payment to the department of $10 in addition to all other

applicable registration and license fees and governmental services taxes.

[5.]6. In addition to all other applicable registration and license fees

and governmental services taxes and the fees prescribed in subsection 5,

a person who requests a set of license plates that recognize current or

former employment as a professional full-time salaried fire fighter must

pay for the initial issuance of the plates an additional fee of $25 and for

each renewal of the plates an additional fee of $20 to support facilities

for the treatment of burns which are located within this state.

7. The department shall deposit the fees collected pursuant to

subsection 6 with the state treasurer for credit to the state general fund.

The state treasurer shall, on a quarterly basis, distribute the fees

deposited pursuant to this subsection in equal shares to each facility for

the treatment of burns that is located within this state.

8. If, during a registration year, the holder of license plates issued

pursuant to the provisions of this section disposes of the vehicle to which

the plates are affixed, [he may retain the plates and:

(a) Affix] the holder shall:

(a) Retain the plates and affix them to another vehicle that meets the

requirements of this section if the transfer and registration fees are paid as

set out in this chapter; or

(b) Within 30 days after removing the plates from the vehicle, return

them to the department.

[6.] 9. As used in this section[, “retired professional] :

(a) “Facility for the treatment of burns” means a facility that:

(1) Offers specialized services for the treatment of injuries resulting

from burns; and

(2) Is part of or located within a hospital that has a center for the

treatment of trauma which is designated as a level I center by the

administrator of the health division of the department of human

resources.

(b) “Professional full-time salaried fire fighter” means a person [who

retired from employment with a fire department within this state after

completing at least 10 years of creditable service as a fire fighter within

this state.] employed in this state in a full-time salaried occupation of fire

fighting for the benefit or safety of the public.

Sec. 4. NRS 482.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.500 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 or 3,

whenever upon application any duplicate or substitute certificate of

registration, decal or number plate is issued, the following fees must be

paid:

For a certificate of registration. $5.00

For every substitute number plate or set of plates...... 5.00

For every duplicate number plate or set of plates.... 10.00

For every decal displaying a county name..... .50

For every other decal, license plate sticker or tab...... 5.00

2. The following fees must be paid for any replacement plate or set of

plates issued for the following special license plates:

(a) For any special plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667, 482.3672,

482.3675, 482.370 to 482.376, inclusive, and section 1 of this act, or

482.379 to 482.3816, inclusive, a fee of $10.

(b) For any special plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.368, 482.3765,

482.377 or 482.378, a fee of $5.

sample license plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.2703, a fee equal to that

established by the director for the issuance of those plates.

3. A fee must not be charged for a duplicate or substitute decal

requested pursuant to NRS 482.37635.

4. The fees which are paid for duplicate number plates and decals

displaying county names must be deposited with the state treasurer for

credit to the motor vehicle fund and allocated to the department to defray

the costs of duplicating the plates and manufacturing the decals.

5. As used in this section:

(a) “Duplicate number plate” means a license plate or a set of license

plates issued to a registered owner which repeat the code of a plate or set

of plates previously issued to the owner to maintain his registration using

the same code.

(b) “Substitute number plate” means a license plate or a set of license

plates issued in place of a previously issued and unexpired plate or set of

plates. The plate or set of plates does not repeat the code of the previously

issued plate or set.

Sec. 5. Sections 2 and 3 of Senate Bill No. 414 of this session are

hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2. NRS 482.216 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.216 1. Upon the request of a new vehicle dealer, the

department may authorize the new vehicle dealer to:

(a) Accept applications for the registration of the new motor

vehicles he sells and the related fees and taxes;

(b) Issue certificates of registration to applicants who satisfy the

requirements of this chapter; and

NRS 482.399 if the applicant purchased from the new vehicle dealer

a new vehicle to which the registration is to be transferred.

2. A new vehicle dealer who is authorized to issue certificates of

registration pursuant to subsection 1 shall:

(a) Transmit the applications he receives to the department within

the period prescribed by the department;

(b) Transmit the fees he collects from the applicants and properly

account for them within the period prescribed by the department;

and

(d) Bear any cost of equipment which is necessary to issue

certificates of registration, including any computer hardware or

software.

3. A new vehicle dealer who is authorized to issue certificates of

registration pursuant to subsection 1 shall not:

(a) Charge any additional fee for the performance of those

services;

(b) Receive compensation from the department for the

performance of those services;

vehicle; or

(d) Accept an application for the registration of a motor vehicle if

the applicant wishes to:

(1) Obtain special license plates pursuant to NRS 482.3667 to

482.3825, inclusive, [and] section 1 of Senate Bill No. 257 of this

[act;] session and section 1 of this act; or

(2) Claim the exemption from the governmental services tax

provided pursuant to NRS 361.1565 to veterans and their relations.

4. The director shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to

carry out the provisions of this section. The regulations adopted

pursuant to this subsection must provide for:

(a) The expedient and secure issuance of license plates and decals

by the department; and

(b) The withdrawal of the authority granted to a new vehicle dealer

pursuant to subsection 1 if that dealer fails to comply with the

regulations adopted by the department.

Sec. 3. NRS 482.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.500 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 or 3,

whenever upon application any duplicate or substitute certificate of

registration, decal or number plate is issued, the following fees must

be paid:

For a certificate of registration$5.00

For every substitute number plate or set of plates5.00

For every duplicate number plate or set of plates10.00

For every decal displaying a county name .50

For every other decal, license plate sticker or tab. 5.00

2. The following fees must be paid for any replacement plate or

set of plates issued for the following special license plates:

(a) For any special plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667,

482.3672, 482.3675, 482.370 to 482.376, inclusive, and section 1 of

Senate Bill No. 257 of this [act,] session, or 482.379 to 482.3816,

inclusive, and section 1 of this act, a fee of $10.

(b) For any special plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.368,

482.3765, 482.377 or 482.378, a fee of $5.

482.3825 or sample license plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.2703, a

fee equal to that established by the director for the issuance of those

plates.

3. A fee must not be charged for a duplicate or substitute of a

decal [requested] issued pursuant to NRS 482.37635.

4. The fees which are paid for duplicate number plates and decals

displaying county names must be deposited with the state treasurer

for credit to the motor vehicle fund and allocated to the department to

defray the costs of duplicating the plates and manufacturing the

decals.

5. As used in this section:

(a) “Duplicate number plate” means a license plate or a set of

license plates issued to a registered owner which repeat the code of a

plate or set of plates previously issued to the owner to maintain his

registration using the same code.

(b) “Substitute number plate” means a license plate or a set of

license plates issued in place of a previously issued and unexpired

plate or set of plates. The plate or set of plates does not repeat the

code of the previously issued plate or set.

Sec. 6. For the period beginning July 1, 2001, through July 1, 2002,

the provisions of NRS 482.280 to the contrary notwithstanding, the

department of motor vehicles and public safety:

1. Shall cooperate with a representative of the Professional Fire

Fighters of Nevada and of the Nevada Fire Chiefs Association in their

efforts to assist the department in:

(a) Identifying persons who:

(1) Possess license plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.3753; and

(2) Do not meet the eligibility requirements set forth in NRS

482.3753.

(b) Ensuring that ineligible persons do not possess license plates issued

pursuant to NRS 482.3753.

2. Shall, upon receipt of an application for renewal, suspend the

registration of a vehicle for which a license plate has been issued pursuant

to NRS 482.3753 to a person who does not meet the eligibility

requirements set forth in NRS 482.3753 until the license plates are

surrendered to the department.

3. Shall not accept an application for the renewal of a license plate

issued pursuant to NRS 482.3753 that is not accompanied by the required

proof of eligibility.

Sec. 7. On or before July 1, 2005, the department of motor vehicles

and public safety shall determine and publicly declare the number of

applications it has received for the issuance of license plates pursuant to

section 1 of this act.

Sec. 8. 1. This section and sections 1 and 4 to 7, inclusive, of this act

become effective on July 1, 2001.

2. Sections 2 and 3 of this act become effective at 12:01 a.m. on

July 1, 2001.

3. The amendatory provisions of sections 1, 2 and 4 of this act expire

by limitation on July 1, 2005, if on that date the department of motor

vehicles and public safety has received fewer than 250 applications for the

issuance of license plates pursuant to section 1 of this act.

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