2007 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE BILL NO. 273

INTRODUCED BY S. MENDENHALL

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT MAINTAINING THE SAME YEAR-LONG REGISTRATION PERIOD AFTER THE TRANSFER OF A VEHICLE TO A SUBSEQUENT OWNER; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 61-3-311 AND 61-3-317, MCA; AND PROVIDING A DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE."

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

 

     Section 1.  Section 61-3-311, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-3-311.  Registration -- time periods. (1) Unless a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is subject to permanent registration under this title and except as provided in 61-3-313, 61-3-701, 61-3-721, and subsection (3) of this section, the department, an authorized agent, or a county treasurer shall, upon original registration of a motor vehicle in this state, assign each motor vehicle to a registration period, as provided in 61-3-316, based upon the calendar month in which the motor vehicle is first registered in this state and designate the calendar year in which the current registration will expire.

     (2)  Each registration period commences on the first day of the calendar month in the calendar year in which the motor vehicle is registered, and the motor vehicle's registration expires on the earlier of:

     (a)  the last day of the month preceding the anniversary of the registration period for the year designated on the motor vehicle's registration decal if the motor vehicle is registered for a minimum 12-month period; or

     (b)  the last day of the month preceding the anniversary of the registration period for the year designated on the motor vehicle's registration decal if the motor vehicle is registered for a period of at least 13 but less than 25 months; or

     (c)  the transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer to another person.

     (3)  (a) Upon request of the motor vehicle owner, a county treasurer may assign a motor vehicle to a registration period, as provided in 61-3-316, other than the calendar month in which the motor vehicle is first registered in this state if at least 13 but less than 25 months will elapse between the first day of the calendar month in which the motor vehicle is registered and the last day of the month preceding the anniversary of the requested registration period in the year designated on the motor vehicle's registration decal.

     (b)  The county treasurer shall determine fees imposed for a motor vehicle registered for a period between 13 and 24 months. All registration fees, fees in lieu of tax, or local option taxes or fees that are imposed on an annual basis must be prorated based on the number of months in the requested registration period.

     (c)  A motor vehicle registered under the provisions of 61-3-303(3)(b) may not be registered under this subsection (3).

     (4)  If a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is permanently registered under the provisions of this chapter, the registration is not subject to expiration unless the registered owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer transfers ownership of the vehicle to another person."

 

     Section 2.  Section 61-3-317, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-3-317.  New registration required for transferred motor vehicle -- grace period -- penalty -- display of proof of purchase. (1) The new owner of a transferred motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer has a grace period of 40 calendar days from the date of purchase to make application for a certificate of title and pay the registration fees, fees in lieu of tax and other fees required by this chapter, and local option taxes, if applicable. However, the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer may not be operated upon the streets and highways of this state during this period unless a temporary registration permit has been issued for and is properly displayed on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as permitted by 61-3-224.

     (2)  If the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer was not purchased from a licensed motor vehicle dealer as provided in this chapter, it is not a violation of this chapter or any other law for the purchaser to operate the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer upon the streets and highways of this state without a current registration receipt or registration decal during the 40-day period if at all times during that period a temporary registration permit issued under 61-3-224 is properly displayed."

 

     NEW SECTION.  SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE. [THIS ACT] IS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2008.

- END -

 


Latest Version of HB 273 (HB0273.02)
Processed for the Web on February 6, 2007 (3:43pm)

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