WEST virginia Legislature
2017 regular session
Introduced
Senate Bill 178
By Senators Jeffries and Woelfel
[Introduced February 8, 2017;
referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and then to the
Committee on Finance]
A BILL to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 and §17A-3-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to improving public safety by requiring registration license plates on the front and back of all vehicles; ensuring that two registration license plates shall be issued for specialty and regular plates; and updating other language to conform to these changes.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §17A-3-14 and §17A-3-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 3. ORIGINAL AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF TITLE.
§17A-3-14. Registration plates generally; description of plates; issuance of special numbers and plates; registration fees; special application fees; exemptions; commissioner to promulgate forms; suspension and nonrenewal.
(a) The division upon
registering a vehicle shall issue to the owner one two
registration plate plates for a motorcycle, trailer, semitrailer
or other motor vehicle.
(b) Registration plates issued by the division shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Every registration plate shall be of reflectorized material and have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued; the name of this state, which may be abbreviated; and the year number for which it is issued or the date of expiration of the plate.
(2) Every registration plate and the required letters and numerals on the plate shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of one hundred feet during daylight: Provided, That the requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to the year number for which the plate is issued or the date of expiration.
(3) Registration numbering for registration plates shall begin with number two.
(c) The division may not issue, permit to be issued or distribute any special registration plates except as follows:
(1) The Governor shall be
issued two four registration plates, on one two of
which shall be imprinted the numeral one and on the other two the word
one.
(2) State officials and judges may be issued special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to the Secretary of State, State
Superintendent of Schools, Auditor, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and
the Attorney General, the members of both houses of the Legislature, including
the elected officials of both houses of the Legislature, the justices of the Supreme
Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the representatives and senators of the
state in the Congress of the United States, the judges of the West Virginia
circuit courts, active and retired on senior status, the judges of the United
States district courts for the State of West Virginia and the judges of the
United States Court of Appeals for the fourth circuit, if any of the judges are
residents of West Virginia, a special registration plate plates
for a Class A motor vehicle and a special registration plate plates
for a Class G motorcycle owned by the official or his or her spouse: Provided,
That the division may issue a two Class A special registration plate
plates for each vehicle titled to the official and a two Class
G special registration plate plates for each motorcycle titled to
the official.
(B) Each plate issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear any combination of letters and numbers not to exceed an amount determined by the commissioner and a designation of the office. Each plate shall supersede the regular numbered plate assigned to the official or his or her spouse during the official's term of office and while the motor vehicle is owned by the official or his or her spouse.
(C) The division shall charge an annual fee of $15 for every pair of registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(3) The division may issue members of the National Guard forces special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon receipt of an
application on a form prescribed by the division and receipt of written
evidence from the chief executive officer of the Army National Guard or Air
National Guard, as appropriate, or the commanding officer of any United States
Armed Forces reserve unit that the applicant is a member thereof, the division
shall issue to any member of the National Guard of this state or a member of
any reserve unit of the United States Armed Forces a special
registration plate plates designed by the commissioner for any
number of Class A motor vehicles owned by the member. Upon presentation of
written evidence of retirement status, retired members of this state's Army or
Air National Guard, or retired members of any reserve unit of the United States
Armed Forces, are eligible to purchase the special registration plate plates
issued pursuant to this subdivision.
(B) The division shall
charge an initial application fee of $10 for each pair of special
registration plate plates issued pursuant to this subdivision,
which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. Except as
otherwise provided herein, effective July 1, 2007, all fees currently held in
the special revolving fund used in the administration of this section and all
fees collected by the division shall be deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's National Guard forces license plate
plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the
license plate plates.
(4) Specially arranged registration plates may be issued as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, any owner of a motor vehicle subject to Class A registration, or a
motorcycle subject to Class G registration, as defined by this article, may
request that the division issue a two registration plate plates
bearing specially arranged letters or numbers with the maximum number of
letters or numbers to be determined by the commissioner. The division shall
attempt to comply with the request wherever possible.
(B) The commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the orderly distribution of the plates: Provided, That for purposes of this subdivision, the registration plates requested and issued shall include all plates bearing the numbers two through two thousand.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each pair of special registration plate plates
issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees
required by this chapter.
(5) The division may issue honorably discharged veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any honorably discharged veteran of
any branch of the armed services of the United States a two special
registration plate plates for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the
Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration. All fees collected by the division shall be deposited in the State Road Fund: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans
license plate plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries
or does not renew the license plate plates.
(6) The division may issue disabled veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any disabled veteran who is exempt
from the payment of registration fees under the provisions of this chapter a
two registration plate plates for a vehicle titled in the
name of the qualified applicant which bears bear the letters
"DV" in red and also the regular identification numerals in red.
(B) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's disabled veterans license plate
plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the
license plate plates.
(C) A qualified disabled
veteran may obtain a second pair of disabled veterans license plate
plates as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle
titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge a
one-time fee of $10 to be deposited into the State Road Fund, in addition to
all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate pair of
plates.
(7) The division may issue recipients of the distinguished Purple Heart medal special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, there shall be issued to any armed service person holding the
distinguished Purple Heart medal for persons wounded in combat a two
registration plate plates for a vehicle titled in the name of the
qualified applicant bearing letters or numbers. The registration plate plates
shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall denote that
those individuals who are granted this the special registration plate
plates are recipients of the Purple Heart. All letterings shall be in
purple where practical.
(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's Purple Heart medal license plate
plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the
license plate plates.
(D) A recipient of the
Purple Heart medal may obtain a second pair of Purple Heart medal
license plate plates as described in this section for use on a
passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division
shall charge a one-time fee of $10 to be deposited into the State Road Fund, in
addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate
pair of plates.
(8) The division may issue survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the owner of a motor vehicle who was enlisted in any branch of the
armed services that participated in and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on
December 7, 1941, the division shall issue a two special
registration plate plates for a vehicle titled in the name of the
qualified applicant. The registration plate plates shall be
designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from the payment of all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's survivors of the attack on Pearl
Harbor license plate plates until the surviving spouse dies,
remarries or does not renew the license plate plates.
(D) A survivor of the
attack on Pearl Harbor may obtain a second pair of survivors of the
attack on Pearl Harbor license plate plates as described in this
section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified
applicant. The division shall charge a one-time fee of $10 to be deposited into
the State Road Fund, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter,
for the second plate pair of plates.
(9) The division may issue special registration plates to nonprofit charitable and educational organizations authorized under prior enactment of this subdivision as follows:
(A) Approved nonprofit
charitable and educational organizations previously authorized under the prior
enactment of this subdivision may accept and collect applications for special
registration plates from owners of Class A motor vehicles together with a special
annual fee of $15, which is in addition to all other fees required by this
chapter. The applications and fees shall be submitted to the Division of Motor
Vehicles with the request that the division issue a two registration
plate plates bearing a combination of letters or numbers with the
organizations' logo or emblem, with the maximum number of letters or numbers to
be determined by the commissioner.
(B) The commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the procedures for and approval of special registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision.
(C) The commissioner shall set an appropriate fee to defray the administrative costs associated with designing and manufacturing special registration plates for a nonprofit charitable or educational organization. The nonprofit charitable or educational organization shall collect this fee and forward it to the division for deposit in the State Road Fund. The nonprofit charitable or educational organization may also collect a fee for marketing the special registration plates.
(10) The division may issue specified emergency or volunteer registration plates as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor
vehicle who is a resident of the State of West Virginia and who is a certified
paramedic or emergency medical technician, a member of a paid fire department,
a member of the State Fire Commission, the State Fire Marshal, the State Fire
Marshal's assistants, the state Fire Administrator and voluntary rescue squad
members may apply for a special license plate plates for
any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant
which bears bear the insignia of the profession, group or
commission. Any insignia shall be designed by the commissioner. License plates
issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear the requested insignia in
addition to the registration number issued to the applicant pursuant to the
provisions of this article.
(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by the fire chief or department head of the applicant stating that the applicant is justified in having a registration with the requested insignia; proof of compliance with all laws of this state regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles; and payment of all required fees.
(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of $10, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the division and deposited into the State Road Fund.
(11) The division may issue specified certified firefighter registration plates as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor
vehicle who is a resident of the State of West Virginia and who is a certified
firefighter may apply for a special license plate plates which
bears bear the insignia of the profession, for any number of
Class A vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Any insignia
shall be designed by the commissioner. License plates issued pursuant to this
subdivision shall bear the requested insignia pursuant to the provisions of
this article. Upon presentation of written evidence of certification as a
certified firefighter, certified firefighters are eligible to purchase the
special registration plate plates issued pursuant to this
subdivision.
(B) Each application
submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit
stating that the applicant is justified in having a registration with the
requested insignia; proof of compliance with all laws of this state regarding
registration and licensure of motor vehicles; and payment of all required fees.
The firefighter certification department, section or division of the West
Virginia University fire service extension shall notify the commissioner in
writing immediately when a firefighter loses his or her certification. If a
firefighter loses his or her certification, the commissioner may not issue him
or her a license plate plates under this subsection.
(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of $10, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the division and deposited into the State Road Fund.
(12) The division may issue special scenic registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the commissioner shall issue a special registration plate
plates displaying a scenic design of West Virginia which displays the
words "Wild Wonderful" as a slogan.
(B) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the division shall be deposited into the State Road Fund.
(13) The division may issue honorably discharged Marine Corps league members special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any honorably discharged Marine Corps
league member a two special registration plate plates
for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with
an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(B) The division may charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged Marine Corps
League license plate plates until the surviving spouse dies,
remarries or does not renew the license plate plates.
(14) The division may issue military organization registration plates as follows:
(A) The division may issue a
special registration plate plates for the members of any military
organization chartered by the United States Congress upon receipt of a
guarantee from the organization of a minimum of one hundred applicants. The
insignia on the plate plates shall be designed by the
commissioner.
(B) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue members of the chartered organization in
good standing, as determined by the governing body of the chartered
organization, a two special registration plate plates
for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(C) The division shall
charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 for each pair of
special license plate plates in addition to all other fees
required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the
division shall be deposited into the State Road Fund: Provided, That
nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other
provision of this chapter.
(D) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's military organization registration
plate plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does
not renew the special military organization registration plate plates.
(15) The division may issue special nongame wildlife registration plates and special wildlife registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue a two special registration plate
plates displaying a species of West Virginia wildlife which shall
display a species of wildlife native to West Virginia as prescribed and
designated by the commissioner and the Director of the Division of Natural
Resources.
(B) The division shall
charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special nongame wildlife
registration plate plates and each pair of special
wildlife registration plate plates in addition to all other fees
required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for nongame wildlife
registration plates and wildlife registration plates shall be deposited in a
special revenue account designated the Nongame Wildlife Fund and credited to
the Division of Natural Resources.
(C) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the division shall be deposited in the State Road Fund.
(16) The division may issue members of the Silver Haired Legislature special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any person who is a duly qualified
member of the Silver Haired Legislature a two specialized
registration plate plates which bears bear recognition
of the applicant as a member of the Silver Haired Legislature.
(B) A qualified member of
the Silver Haired Legislature may obtain one two registration plate
plates described in this subdivision for use on a passenger vehicle
titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge an
annual fee of $15, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for
the plate pair of plates. All annual fees collected by the
division shall be deposited in the State Road Fund.
(17) Upon appropriate
application, the commissioner shall issue to a classic motor vehicle or classic
motorcycle as defined in section three-a, article ten of this chapter, a
two special registration plate plates designed by the
commissioner. An annual fee of $15, in addition to all other fees required by
this chapter, shall be charged for each pair of classic registration plate
plates.
(18) Honorably discharged veterans may be issued special registration plates for motorcycles subject to Class G registration as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, there shall be issued to any honorably discharged veteran of any
branch of the armed services of the United States a two special
registration plate plates for any number of motorcycles subject
to Class G registration titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an
insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(B) A special initial application fee of $10 shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans
license plate plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries
or does not renew the license plate plates.
(19) Racing theme special registration plates:
(A) The division may issue a series of special registration plates displaying National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing themes.
(B) An annual fee of $25
shall be charged for each pair of special racing theme registration plate
plates in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All
annual fees collected for each special racing theme registration plate shall be
deposited into the State Road Fund.
(C) A special application fee of $10 shall be charged at the time of initial application as well as upon application for any duplicate or replacement registration plate, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into the State Road Fund.
(20) The division may issue recipients of the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Bronze Star, Silver Star or Air Medal special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any recipient of the Navy Cross,
Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross,
Silver Star, Bronze Star or Air Medal, a two registration plate
plates for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified
applicant bearing letters or numbers. A separate registration plate shall be
designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for each award that denotes that
those individuals who are granted this the special registration plate
plates are recipients of the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross,
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star or Bronze Star, or Air
Medal as applicable.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund: Provided, That nothing in this section exempts the applicant for a special registration plate under this subdivision from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's Navy Cross, Distinguished Service
Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star or
Air Medal special registration plate plates until the surviving
spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate plates.
(21) The division may issue honorably discharged veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any honorably discharged veteran of
any branch of the armed services of the United States with verifiable service
during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War or
the War Against Terrorism a two special registration plate
plates for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified
applicant with an insignia designed by the commissioner denoting service in the
applicable conflict.
(B) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund: Provided, That nothing contained in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans
registration plate plates until the surviving spouse dies,
remarries or does not renew the special registration plate plates.
(22) The division may issue special volunteer firefighter registration plates as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor
vehicle who is a resident of West Virginia and who is a volunteer firefighter
may apply for a special license plate plates for any Class
A vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant which bears bear
the insignia of the profession in white letters on a red background. The
insignia shall be designed by the commissioner and shall contain a fireman's
helmet insignia on the left side of the license plate.
(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by the applicant's fire chief, stating that the applicant is a volunteer firefighter and justified in having a registration plate with the requested insignia. The applicant must comply with all other laws of this state regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles and must pay all required fees.
(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special one-time initial application fee of $10, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into the State Road Fund.
(23) The division may issue special registration plates which reflect patriotic themes, including the display of any United States symbol, icon, phrase or expression which evokes patriotic pride or recognition.
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to an applicant a two identical
registration plate plates of the applicant's choice, displaying a
patriotic theme as provided in this subdivision, for a vehicle titled in the
name of the applicant. A series of registration plates displaying patriotic
themes shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for distribution
to applicants.
(B) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(24) Special license plates bearing the American flag and the logo "9/11/01".
(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue special registration plates which shall display the American flag and the logo "9/11/01".
(B) An annual fee of $15 shall
be charged for each pair of plate plates in addition to
all other fees required by this chapter.
(C) A special application fee of $10 shall be charged at the time of initial application as well as upon application for any duplicate or replacement registration plate, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into the State Road Fund.
(25) The division may issue
a special registration plate plates celebrating the
centennial of the 4-H youth development movement and honoring the Future
Farmers of America organization as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate depicting the symbol of the 4-H organization which represents the head, heart, hands and health as well as the symbol of the Future Farmers of America organization which represents a cross section of an ear of corn for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) The division shall
charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special 4-H Future Farmers
of America registration plate plates in addition to all other
fees required by this chapter.
(26) The division may issue special registration plates to educators in the state's elementary and secondary schools and in the state's institutions of higher education as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) The division shall
charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special educator
registration plate plates in addition to all other fees required
by this chapter.
(27) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Nemesis Shrine as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof of membership in Nemesis Shrine.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the Nemesis Shrine to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to January 15, 2005.
(28) The division may issue volunteers and employees of the American Red Cross special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any person who is a duly qualified
volunteer or employee of the American Red Cross a two specialized
registration plate plates which bears bear recognition
of the applicant as a volunteer or employee of the American Red Cross for any
number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(29) The division shall issue special registration plates to individuals who have received either the Combat Infantry Badge or the Combat Medic Badge as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof that they have received either the
Combat Infantry Badge or the Combat Medic Badge.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(30) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Knights of Columbus as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Knights of
Columbus.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the Knights of Columbus to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to January 15, 2007.
(31) The division may issue special registration plates to former members of the Legislature as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration
plate shall offer sufficient proof of former service as an elected or appointed
member of the West Virginia House of Delegates or the West Virginia Senate.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund. The design of the plate shall indicate total years of service in the Legislature.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(32) Democratic state or county executive committee member special registration plates:
(A) The division shall design and issue special registration plates for use by democratic state or county executive committee members. The design of the plates shall include an insignia of a donkey and shall differentiate by wording on the plate between state and county executive committee members.
(B) An annual fee of $25
shall be charged for each pair of democratic state or county executive
committee member registration plate plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for each pair
of special plate plates issued under this subdivision shall
be deposited into the State Road Fund.
(C) A special application fee of $10 shall be charged at the time of initial application as well as upon application for any duplicate or replacement registration plate, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into the State Road Fund.
(D) The division shall not begin production of a plate authorized under the provisions of this subdivision until the division receives at least one hundred completed applications from the state or county executive committee members, including all fees required pursuant to this subdivision.
(E) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the democratic executive committee to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to January 15, 2005.
(33) The division may issue honorably discharged female veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, there shall be issued to any female honorably discharged veteran,
of any branch of the armed services of the United States, a two special
registration plate plates for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the
Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as a
woman veteran.
(B) A special initial application fee of $10 shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans license plate
plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the
license plate plates.
(34) The division may issue
special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words
demonstrating association with West Liberty State College to any resident owner
of a motor vehicle. Resident owners may apply for the special license plate
plates for any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the
applicant. The special registration plates shall be designed by the
commissioner. Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be
accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of $15, which is in
addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. The
division shall charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special
registration plate plates in addition to all other fees required
by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the division and
deposited into the State Road Fund.
(35) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Harley Owners Group as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Harley Owners
Group.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(36) The division may issue special registration plates for persons retired from any branch of the armed services of the United States as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, there shall be issued to any person who has retired after service
in any branch of the armed services of the United States, a two special
registration plate plates for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the
Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as
retired from the armed services of the United States.
(B) A special initial application fee of $10 shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any registrants from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's retired military license plate
plates until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the
license plate plates.
(37) The division may issue special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words demonstrating association with or support for Fairmont State College as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(38) The division may issue special registration plates honoring the farmers of West Virginia as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor
vehicle who is a resident of West Virginia may apply for a special
license plate plates depicting a farming scene or other apt
reference to farming, whether in pictures or words, at the discretion of the
commissioner.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(39) The division shall issue special registration plates promoting education as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue a two special registration plate
plates displaying a children's education-related theme as prescribed and
designated by the commissioner and the state superintendent of Schools.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(40) The division may issue members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association special registration plates as follows:
(A) The division may issue a
two special registration plate plates for members of the
82nd Airborne Division Association upon receipt of a guarantee from the
organization of a minimum of one hundred applicants. The insignia on the plate
plates shall be designed by the commissioner.
(B) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue members of the 82nd Airborne Division
Association in good standing, as determined by the governing body of the
organization, a two special registration plate plates
for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(C) The division shall
charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 for each pair of
special license plate plates in addition to all other fees
required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the
division shall be deposited into the State Road Fund: Provided, That
nothing in this section may be construed to exempt the applicant from any other
provision of this chapter.
(D) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's special 82nd Airborne Division
Association registration plate plates until the surviving spouse
dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate plates.
(41) The division may issue special registration plates to survivors of wounds received in the line of duty as a member with a West Virginia law-enforcement agency.
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to any member of a municipal police
department, sheriff's department, the State Police or the law-enforcement division
of the Division of Natural Resources who has been wounded in the line of duty
and awarded a Purple Heart in recognition thereof by the West Virginia Chiefs
of Police Association, the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the West
Virginia Troopers Association or the Division of Natural Resources a two
special registration plate plates for one vehicle titled in the
name of the qualified applicant with an insignia appropriately designed by the
commissioner.
(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from the registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's special registration plate plates
until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the plate plates.
(D) Survivors of wounds
received in the line of duty as a member with a West Virginia law-enforcement
agency may obtain a two license plate plates as
described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of
the qualified applicant. The division shall charge a one-time fee of $10 to be
deposited into the State Road Fund, in addition to all other fees required by
this chapter, for the second plate pair of plates.
(42) The division may issue
a special registration plate plates for persons who are
Native Americans and residents of this state.
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue to an applicant who is a Native American
resident of West Virginia a two registration plate plates
for a vehicle titled in the name of the applicant with an insignia designed by
the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient
as a Native American.
(B) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(43) The division may issue special registration plates commemorating the centennial anniversary of the creation of Davis and Elkins College as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application,
the division may issue a two special registration plate plates
designed by the commissioner to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Davis
and Elkins College for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the
applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(44) The division may issue special registration plates recognizing and honoring breast cancer survivors.
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner to recognize and honor breast cancer
survivors, such plate plates to incorporate somewhere in the
design the "pink ribbon emblem", for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10. This special fee shall be deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(45) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Knights of Pythias or Pythian Sisters as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Knights of
Pythias or Pythian Sisters.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(46) The commissioner may issue special registration plates for whitewater rafting enthusiasts as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) The division shall
charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special registration plate
plates in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(47) The division may issue special registration plates to members of Lions International as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner in consultation with Lions
International for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified
applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate plates
shall offer sufficient proof of membership in Lions International.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(48) The division may issue special registration plates supporting organ donation as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner which recognizes, supports and
honors organ and tissue donors and includes the words "Donate Life".
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(49) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the West Virginia Bar Association as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner in consultation with the West
Virginia Bar Association for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the
qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate plates
shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the West Virginia Bar
Association.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(50) The division may issue special registration plates bearing an appropriate logo, symbol or insignia combined with the words "SHARE THE ROAD" designed to promote bicycling in the state as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(51) The division may issue special registration plates honoring coal miners as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue a two special registration plate
plates depicting and displaying coal miners in mining activities as
prescribed and designated by the commissioner and the board of the National
Coal Heritage Area Authority.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(52) The division may issue special registration plates to present and former Boy Scouts as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof of present or past membership in the
Boy Scouts as either a member or a leader.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(53) The division may issue special registration plates to present and former Boy Scouts who have achieved Eagle Scout status as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof of achievement of Eagle Scout
status.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(54) The division may issue special registration plates recognizing and memorializing victims of domestic violence.
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner to recognize and memorialize victims
of domestic violence, such plate plates to incorporate somewhere
in the design the "purple ribbon emblem", for any number of vehicles
titled in the name of the applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10. This special fee shall be deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(55) The division may issue special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words demonstrating association with or support for the University of Charleston as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(56) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Sons of the American Revolution as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner in consultation with the Sons of the
American Revolution for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the
qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate plates
shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Sons of the American
Revolution.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) An annual fee of $15
shall be charged for each plate pair of plates in addition to all
other fees required by this chapter.
(57) The commissioner may issue special registration plates for horse enthusiasts as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) The division shall
charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special registration plate
plates in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(58) The commissioner may issue special registration plates to the next of kin of a member of any branch of the armed services of the United States killed in combat as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division shall issue a two special registration plate
plates for any number of vehicles titled in the name of a qualified
applicant depicting the Gold Star awarded by the United States Department of
Defense as prescribed and designated by the commissioner.
(B) The next of kin shall provide sufficient proof of receiving a Gold Star lapel button from the United States Department of Defense in accordance with Public Law 534, 89th Congress, and criteria established by the United States Department of Defense, including criteria to determine next of kin.
(C) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(D) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section are not applicable for the issuance of the special license plates designated by this subdivision.
(59) The commissioner may issue special registration plates for retired or former Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in
the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $10 in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(C) The division shall
charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special registration plate
plates in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(D) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section are not applicable for the issuance of the special license plates designated by this subdivision.
(60) Upon approval by the commissioner of an appropriate application, and upon all requirements of this subdivision being satisfied, the division may issue special registration plates for class A and class G motor vehicles to members of an organization for which a special registration plate has not been issued pursuant to any other subdivision in this subsection prior to January 1, 2010, in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision.
(A) An organization desiring to create a special registration plate must comply with the following requirements to be eligible to apply for the creation and issuance of a special registration plate:
(i) The organization must be a nonprofit organization organized and existing under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code and based, headquartered or have a chapter in West Virginia;
(ii) The organization may be organized for, but may not be restricted to, social, civic, higher education or entertainment purposes;
(iii) The organization may not be a political party and may not have been created or exist primarily to promote a specific political or social belief, as determined by the commissioner in his or her sole discretion;
(iv) The organization may not have as its primary purpose the promotion of any specific faith, religion, religious belief or antireligion;
(v) The name of the organization may not be the name of a special product or brand name, and may not be construed, as determined by the commissioner, as promoting a product or brand name; and
(vi) The organization's lettering, logo, image or message to be placed on the registration plate, if created, may not be obscene, offensive or objectionable as determined by the commissioner in his or her sole discretion.
(B) Beginning July 1, 2010, an organization requesting the creation and issuance of a special registration plate may make application with the division. The application shall include sufficient information, as determined by the commissioner, to determine whether the special registration plate requested and the organization making the application meet all of the requirements set forth in this subdivision (60). The application shall also include a proposed design, including lettering, logo, image or message to be placed on the registration plate. The commissioner shall notify the organization of the commissioner's approval or disapproval of the application.
(C)(i) The commissioner may not begin the design or production of any license plates authorized and approved pursuant to this subdivision (60), subsection (c) of this section until the organization which applied for the special registration plate has collected and submitted collectively to the division applications completed by at least two hundred fifty persons and collectively deposited with the division all fees necessary to cover the first year's basic registration, one-time design and manufacturing costs and to cover the first year additional annual fee for all of the applications submitted.
(ii) If the organization fails to submit the required number of applications and fees within six months of the effective date of the approval of the application for the plate by the commissioner, the plate will not be produced until a new application is submitted and is approved by the commissioner: Provided, That an organization that is unsuccessful in obtaining the minimum number of applications may not make a new application for a special plate until at least two years have passed since the approval of the previous application of the organization.
(D) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of $25 for each special license plate in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee shall be collected by the division and deposited in the State Road Fund.
(E) The division shall
charge an annual fee of $15 for each pair of special registration plate
plates in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(F) Upon appropriate
application, the division may issue a two special registration plate
plates designed by the commissioner in consultation with the
organization for any number of vehicles titled in the name of a qualified
registration plate applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate
plates shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the organization.
(G) The commissioner shall discontinue the issuance or renewal of the registration of any special plate issued pursuant to this subdivision (60) if:
(i) The number of valid registrations for the specialty plate falls below two hundred fifty plates for at least twelve consecutive months; or
(ii) The organization no longer exists or no longer meets the requirements of this subdivision.
(d) The minimum number of applications required prior to design and production of a special license plate shall be as follows:
(1) The commissioner may not begin the design or production of any license plates for which eligibility is based on membership or affiliation with a particular private organization until at least one hundred persons complete an application and deposit with the organization a check to cover the first year's basic registration, one-time design and manufacturing costs and to cover the first year additional annual fee. If the organization fails to submit the required number of applications with attached checks within six months of the effective date of the original authorizing legislation, the plate will not be produced and will require legislative reauthorization: Provided, That an organization or group that is unsuccessful in obtaining the minimum number of applications may not request reconsideration of a special plate until at least two years have passed since the effective date of the original authorization: Provided, however, That the provisions of this subdivision (1) are not applicable to the issuance of plates authorized pursuant to subdivision (60), subsection (c) of this section.
(2) The commissioner may not begin the design or production of any license plates authorized by this section for which membership or affiliation with a particular organization is not required until at least two hundred fifty registrants complete an application and deposit a fee with the division to cover the first year's basic registration fee, one-time design and manufacturing fee and additional annual fee if applicable. If the commissioner fails to receive the required number of applications within six months of the effective date of the original authorizing legislation, the plate will not be produced and will require legislative reauthorization: Provided, That if the minimum number of applications is not satisfied within the six months of the effective date of the original authorizing legislation, a person may not request reconsideration of a special plate until at least two years have passed since the effective date of the original authorization.
(e) (1) Nothing in this
section requires a charge for a free prisoner of war license plate
plates or a free recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
license plate plates for a vehicle titled in the name of the
qualified applicant as authorized by other provisions of this code.
(2) A surviving spouse may
continue to use his or her deceased spouse's prisoner of war license plate
plates or Congressional Medal of Honor license plate plates
until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate
plates.
(3) Qualified former
prisoners of war and recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor may obtain
a second set of special registration plate plates for use
on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The
division shall charge a one-time fee of $10 to be deposited into the State Road
Fund, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second set
of special plate plates.
(f) The division may issue special ten-year registration plates as follows:
(1) The commissioner may issue or renew for a period of no more than ten years any registration plate exempted from registration fees pursuant to any provision of this code or any restricted use antique motor vehicle license plate authorized by section three-a, article ten of this chapter: Provided, That the provisions of this subsection do not apply to any person who has had a special registration suspended for failure to maintain motor vehicle liability insurance as required by section three, article two-a, chapter seventeen-d of this code or failure to pay personal property taxes as required by section three-a of this article.
(2) An initial nonrefundable fee shall be charged for each special registration plate issued pursuant to this subsection, which is the total amount of fees required by section fifteen, article ten of this chapter, section three, article three of this chapter or section three-a, article ten of this chapter for the period requested.
(g) The provisions of this section may not be construed to exempt any registrant from maintaining motor vehicle liability insurance as required by section three, article two-a, chapter seventeen-d of this code or from paying personal property taxes on any motor vehicle as required by section three-a of this article.
(h) The commissioner may,
in his or her discretion, issue a two registration plate plates
of reflectorized material suitable for permanent use on motor vehicles,
trailers and semitrailers, together with appropriate devices to be attached to
the registration to indicate the year for which the vehicles have been properly
registered or the date of expiration of the registration. The design and
expiration of the plates shall be determined by the commissioner. The
commissioner shall, whenever possible and cost effective, implement the latest
technology in the design, production and issuance of registration plates,
indices of registration renewal and vehicle ownership documents, including, but
not limited to, offering Internet renewal of vehicle registration and the use
of bar codes for instant identification of vehicles by scanning equipment to
promote the efficient and effective coordination and communication of data for
improving highway safety, aiding law enforcement and enhancing revenue
collection.
(i) Any license plate
plates issued or renewed pursuant to this chapter which is paid for by a
check that is returned for nonsufficient funds is void without further notice
to the applicant. The applicant may not reinstate the registration until the
returned check is paid by the applicant in cash, money order or certified check
and all applicable fees assessed as a result thereof have been paid.
§17A-3-15. Display of registration plates.
(a) Registration plates
issued for vehicles required to be registered under this article shall be
attached to the front and rear of the vehicles. except that on truck
tractors and road tractors designed and constructed to pull trailers or
semitrailers, the registration plate shall be mounted to the front
(b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than twelve inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, an owner of a motor vehicle with a Class G registration as defined in section one, article ten of this chapter may choose to:
(1) Display a two
standard, Class G registration plate plates in a horizontal
position; or
(2) Display a two
specially designed Class G registration plate plates in a
vertical position issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles if the owner:
(A) Pays a one-time fee of
$25 to cover the additional cost and services necessary to issue the pair of
special registration plate plates to be deposited into a special
revolving fund to be used for the administration of this chapter; and
(B) Pays all other required fees and complies with all other applicable provisions of this code regarding the titling, registration and operation of the vehicle.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to improve public safety by requiring license plates on the front and back of all vehicles.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.