requires two-thirds majority vote (§ 3)                                                                                          

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                          S.B. 524

 

Senate Bill No. 524–Committee on Transportation

 

March 26, 2001

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Transportation

 

SUMMARY—Authorizes electronic submission and storage of documents relating to vehicle registration. (BDR 43‑1222)

 

FISCAL NOTE:    Effect on Local Government: No.

                                 Effect on the State: Yes.

 

~

 

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).

 

AN ACT relating to vehicles; authorizing the department of motor vehicles and public safety to establish a program for the electronic submission and storage of documents relating to the registration and title of vehicles; prescribing the requirements of the program; authorizing the department to charge a fee for participation in the program; revising related provisions governing registration; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2, 3 and 4 of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  As used in sections 2, 3 and 4 of this act, unless the context

1-4  otherwise requires, “document” means an application, notice, report,

1-5  statement or other record relating to the issuance or renewal of a

1-6  certificate of registration, or the issuance of a certificate of ownership

1-7  pursuant to this chapter by financial institutions, new vehicle dealers and

1-8  used vehicle dealers on behalf of their customers.

1-9    Sec. 3.  1.  The department may establish a program for the

1-10  electronic submission and storage of documents.

1-11    2.  If the department establishes a program pursuant to subsection 1,

1-12  the department shall adopt regulations to carry out the program. The

1-13  regulations must include, without limitation:

1-14    (a) The type of electronic transmission that the department will accept

1-15  for the program.

1-16    (b) The process for submission of an application by a person who

1-17  desires to participate in the program and the fee, if any, that must

1-18  accompany the application for participation.

1-19    (c) The criteria that will be applied by the department in determining

1-20  whether to approve an application to participate in the program.


2-1    (d) The standards for ensuring the security and integrity of the

2-2  process for issuance and renewal of a certificate of registration,

2-3  certificate of ownership and certificate of title, including, without

2-4  limitation, the procedure for a financial and performance audit of the

2-5  program.

2-6    (e) The terms and conditions for participation in the program and any

2-7  restrictions on the participation;

2-8    (f) The contents of a written agreement that must be on file with the

2-9  department pursuant to subsection 2 of section 4 of this act before a

2-10  participant may submit a document by electronic means to the

2-11  department. Such written agreement must include, without limitation:

2-12      (1) An assurance that each document submitted by electronic

2-13  means contains all the information that is necessary to complete the

2-14  transaction for which the document is submitted;

2-15      (2) Certification that all the information contained in each

2-16  document that is submitted by electronic means is truthful and accurate;

2-17      (3) An assurance that the participant who submits a document by

2-18  electronic means will maintain all information and records that are

2-19  necessary to support the document; and

2-20      (4) The signature of the participant who files the written agreement

2-21  with the department.

2-22    (g) The conditions under which the department may revoke the

2-23  approval of a person to participate in the program, including, without

2-24  limitation, failure to comply with this section and section 4 of this act and

2-25  the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

2-26    (h) The method by which the department will store documents that are

2-27  submitted to it by electronic means.

2-28    (i) The required technology that is necessary to carry out the program.

2-29    (j) Any other regulations that the department determines necessary to

2-30  carry out the program.

2-31    3.  The department may accept gifts and grants from any source,

2-32  including, without limitation, donations of materials, equipment and

2-33  labor, for the establishment and maintenance of a program pursuant to

2-34  this section.

2-35    Sec. 4.  1.  If the department approves an application for a person to

2-36  participate in a program established pursuant to section 3 of this act, that

2-37  participant may submit, by electronic means, a document that is required

2-38  to be submitted pursuant to this chapter for the issuance or renewal of a

2-39  certificate of registration, certificate of ownership or certificate of title.

2-40    2.  If the signature of a natural person is required pursuant to this

2-41  chapter on a document that is submitted by electronic means, the

2-42  department may waive that requirement if the participant who submitted

2-43  the document on behalf of that person complies with all requirements of

2-44  this program.

2-45    3.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a

2-46  document that is submitted by electronic means pursuant to subsection 1,

2-47  if accepted by the department, shall be deemed an original document in

2-48  administrative proceedings, quasi-judicial proceedings and judicial

2-49  proceedings.


3-1    Sec. 5.  NRS 482.215 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-2    482.215  1.  All applications for registration, except applications for

3-3  renewal of registration, must be made as provided in this section.

3-4    2.  [Applications] Except as otherwise provided in section 4 of this

3-5  act, applications for all registrations, except renewals of registration, must

3-6  be made in person, if practicable, to any office or agent of the department

3-7  or to a registered dealer.

3-8    3.  Each application must be made upon the appropriate form furnished

3-9  by the department and contain:

3-10    (a) The signature of the owner[.] , except as otherwise provided in

3-11  subsection 2 of section 4 of this act, if applicable.

3-12    (b) His residential address.

3-13    (c) His declaration of the county where he intends the vehicle to be

3-14  based, unless the vehicle is deemed to have no base. The department shall

3-15  use this declaration to determine the county to which the privilege tax is to

3-16  be paid.

3-17    (d) A brief description of the vehicle to be registered, including the

3-18  name of the maker, the engine, identification or serial number, whether

3-19  new or used, and the last license number, if known, and the state in which

3-20  it was issued, and upon the registration of a new vehicle, the date of sale by

3-21  the manufacturer or franchised and licensed dealer in this state for the

3-22  make to be registered to the person first purchasing or operating the

3-23  vehicle.

3-24    (e) Proof satisfactory to the department or registered dealer that the

3-25  applicant has provided the insurance required by NRS 485.185 and , except

3-26  as otherwise provided in this paragraph, his signed declaration that he

3-27  will maintain the insurance during the period of registration. If the

3-28  application is submitted by electronic means pursuant to section 4 of this

3-29  act, the applicant is not required to sign the declaration required by this

3-30  paragraph.

3-31    (f) If the insurance is provided by a contract of insurance, evidence of

3-32  that insurance provided by the insurer in the form of:

3-33      (1) A certificate of insurance on a form approved by the

3-34  commissioner of insurance; or

3-35      (2) A card issued pursuant to NRS 690B.023 which identifies the

3-36  vehicle and indicates, at the time of application for registration, coverage

3-37  which meets the requirements of NRS 485.185.

3-38  The department may file that evidence, return it to the applicant or

3-39  otherwise dispose of it.

3-40    (g) If required, evidence of the applicant’s compliance with controls

3-41  over emission.

3-42    4.  The application must contain such other information as is required

3-43  by the department or registered dealer, and must be accompanied by proof

3-44  of ownership satisfactory to the department.

3-45    5.  For purposes of the proof, declaration and evidence required by

3-46  paragraphs (e) and (f) of subsection 3:

3-47    (a) Vehicles which are subject to the fee for a license and the

3-48  requirements of registration of the Interstate Highway User Fee

3-49  Apportionment Act, and which are based in this state, may be declared as a


4-1  fleet by the registered owner thereof, on his original application for or

4-2  application for renewal of a proportional registration. The owner may file a

4-3  single certificate of insurance covering that fleet.

4-4    (b) Other fleets composed of 10 or more vehicles based in this state or

4-5  vehicles insured under a blanket policy which does not identify individual

4-6  vehicles may each be declared annually as a fleet by the registered owner

4-7  thereof for the purposes of an application for his original or any renewed

4-8  registration. The owner may file a single certificate of insurance covering

4-9  that fleet.

4-10    (c) A person who qualifies as a self-insurer pursuant to the provisions of

4-11  NRS 485.380 may file a copy of his certificate of self-insurance.

4-12    (d) A person who qualifies for an operator’s policy of liability insurance

4-13  pursuant to the provisions of NRS 485.186 and 485.3091 may file evidence

4-14  of that insurance.

4-15    Sec. 6.  NRS 482.280 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-16    482.280  1.  The registration of every vehicle expires at midnight on

4-17  the day specified on the receipt of registration, unless the day specified

4-18  falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. If the day specified on the

4-19  receipt of registration is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the

4-20  registration of the vehicle expires at midnight on the next judicial day. The

4-21  department shall mail to each holder of a certificate of registration an

4-22  application for renewal of registration for the following period of

4-23  registration. The applications must be mailed by the department in

4-24  sufficient time to allow all applicants to mail the applications to the

4-25  department and to receive new certificates of registration and license

4-26  plates, stickers, tabs or other suitable devices by mail before the expiration

4-27  of their registrations. An applicant may present or submit the application to

4-28  any agent or office of the department.

4-29    2.  An application [mailed] :

4-30    (a) Mailed or presented to the department or to a county assessor

4-31  pursuant to the provisions of this section[, or presented] ;

4-32    (b) Submitted to the department pursuant to section 4 of this act; or

4-33    (c) Presented to an authorized inspection station or authorized station

4-34  pursuant to the provisions of NRS 482.281 ,

4-35  must include, if required, evidence of compliance with standards for

4-36  control of emissions.

4-37    3.  The department shall insert in each application mailed pursuant to

4-38  subsection 1:

4-39    (a) The amount of privilege tax to be collected for the county pursuant

4-40  to the provisions of NRS 482.260.

4-41    (b) The amount set forth in a notice of nonpayment filed with the

4-42  department by a local authority pursuant to NRS 484.444.

4-43    (c) A statement which informs the applicant that, pursuant to NRS

4-44  485.185, he is legally required to maintain insurance during the period in

4-45  which the motor vehicle is registered.

4-46    4.  An owner who has made proper application for renewal of

4-47  registration before the expiration of the current registration but who has not

4-48  received the license plate or plates or card of registration for the ensuing

4-49  period of registration is entitled to operate or permit the operation of that


5-1  vehicle upon the highways upon displaying thereon the license plate or

5-2  plates issued for the preceding period of registration for such a time as may

5-3  be prescribed by the department as it may find necessary for the issuance

5-4  of the new plate or plates or card of registration.

5-5    Sec. 7.  NRS 482.399 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-6    482.399  1.  Upon the transfer of the ownership of or interest in any

5-7  vehicle by any holder of a valid registration, or upon destruction of the

5-8  vehicle, the registration expires.

5-9    2.  The holder of the original registration may transfer the registration

5-10  to another vehicle to be registered by him and use the same license plate or

5-11  plates thereon, if the license plate or plates are appropriate for the second

5-12  vehicle, upon filing an application for transfer of registration and upon

5-13  paying the transfer registration fee and the excess, if any, of the registration

5-14  fee and privilege tax on the vehicle to which the registration is transferred

5-15  over the total registration fee and privilege tax paid on all vehicles from

5-16  which he is transferring his ownership or interest. [Application] Except as

5-17  otherwise provided in section 4 of this act, an application for transfer of

5-18  registration must be made in person, if practicable, to any office or agent of

5-19  the department or to a registered dealer, and the license plate or plates may

5-20  not be used upon a second vehicle until registration of that vehicle is

5-21  complete. In computing the privilege tax, the department, its agent or the

5-22  registered dealer shall credit the portion of the tax paid on the first vehicle

5-23  attributable to the remainder of the current registration period or calendar

5-24  year on a pro rata monthly basis against the tax due on the second vehicle

5-25  or on any other vehicle of which the person is the registered owner. If any

5-26  person transfers his ownership or interest in two or more vehicles, the

5-27  department or the registered dealer shall credit the portion of the tax paid

5-28  on all of the vehicles attributable to the remainder of the current

5-29  registration period or calendar year on a pro rata monthly basis against the

5-30  tax due on the vehicle to which the registration is transferred or on any

5-31  other vehicle of which the person is the registered owner. The certificates

5-32  of registration and unused license plates of the vehicles from which a

5-33  person transfers his ownership or interest must be submitted before credit

5-34  is given against the tax due on the vehicle to which the registration is

5-35  transferred or on any other vehicle of which the person is the registered

5-36  owner.

5-37    3.  In computing the registration fee, the department or its agent or the

5-38  registered dealer shall credit the portion of the registration fee paid on each

5-39  vehicle attributable to the remainder of the current calendar year or

5-40  registration period on a pro rata basis against the registration fee due on the

5-41  vehicle to which registration is transferred. If the amount owed on the

5-42  registration fee or privilege tax on that vehicle is less than the credit on the

5-43  total registration fee or privilege tax paid on all vehicles from which a

5-44  person transfers his ownership or interest, the department shall issue to the

5-45  person a refund in an amount equal to the difference between the amount

5-46  owed on the registration fee or privilege tax on that vehicle and the credit

5-47  on the total registration fee or privilege tax paid on all vehicles from which

5-48  a person transfers his ownership or interest.


6-1    4.  If the license plate or plates are not appropriate for the second

6-2  vehicle, the plate or plates must be surrendered to the department or

6-3  registered dealer and an appropriate plate or plates must be issued by the

6-4  department. The department shall not reissue the surrendered plate or

6-5  plates until the next succeeding licensing period.

6-6    5.  If application for transfer of registration is not made within 60 days

6-7  after the destruction or transfer of ownership of or interest in any vehicle,

6-8  the license plate or plates must be surrendered to the department on or

6-9  before the 60th day for cancellation of the registration.

6-10    6.  If a person cancels his registration and surrenders to the department

6-11  his license plates for a vehicle, the department shall issue to the person a

6-12  refund of the portion of the registration fee and privilege tax paid on the

6-13  vehicle attributable to the remainder of the current calendar year or

6-14  registration period on a pro rata basis.

6-15    Sec. 8.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 2001.

 

6-16  H