House bill NO. 930

INTRODUCED BY S. Galloway, S. Gist

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LICENSE PLATE LAWS; REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR DISPLAYING A LICENSE PLATE ON THE FRONT OF A VEHICLE; REVISING LAWS REGARDING THE ISSUANCE OF LICENSE PLATES; REDUCING CERTAIN FEES FOR LICENSE PLATES; AMENDING SECTIONS 2-15-151, 10-2-114, 49-4-302, 61-1-101, 61-3-301, 61-3-303, 61-3-320, 61-3-321, 61-3-331, 61-3-332, 61-3-333, 61-3-402, 61-3-403, 61-3-404, 61-3-405, 61-3-407, 61-3-411, 61-3-412, 61-3-413, 61-3-421, 61-3-422, 61-3-425, 61-3-426, 61-3-446, 61-3-455, 61-3-458, 61-3-459, 61-3-460, 61-3-464, 61-3-465, 61-3-466, 61-3-474, 61-3-479, 61-3-481, 61-3-562, 61-4-130, 61-4-221, 61-4-222, 61-4-223, 61-4-225, 61-6-105, AND 61-14-101, MCA; and REPEALING SECTION 61-3-423, MCA."

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

Section 1. Section 2-15-151, MCA, is amended to read:

"2-15-151. Lewis and Clark bicentennial license plates -- authorization to apply as sponsor -- use of proceeds. (1) An applicant for a generic specialty license plate that was sponsored by the former Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission shall make a donation of $20 to the department of commerce and the Montana historical society as the successors to the Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission upon initial issuance of the license plates plate and a donation of $20 upon each annual renewal of the license plates plate.

(2) The donation provided for in subsection (1) must be paid to the county treasurer, who shall remit the entire amount to the department of revenue for deposit in the special revenue accounts established in 90-1-115.

(3) Beginning January 1, 2007, the The department of commerce and the Montana historical society shall use money in the special revenue accounts established in 90-1-115 to support projects related to Lewis and Clark."

Section 2. Section 10-2-114, MCA, is amended to read:

"10-2-114. Patriotic license plates -- surcharge -- disposition. (1) Subject to 61-3-472 through 61-3-481 and this section, the board may sponsor a generic specialty license plate designed as a patriotic salute to Montana's military veterans.

(2) A Montana resident may purchase a patriotic plates plate for a $15 surcharge to be paid for each original set of plates plate and each renewal. The surcharge is in addition to the one-time administrative fee charged pursuant to 61-3-480(1).

(3) The surcharge collected pursuant to this section must be remitted as provided in 61-3-480 and deposited to the veterans' services account established in 10-2-112(1)."

Section 3. Section 49-4-302, MCA, is amended to read:

"49-4-302. Privileges of permitholder -- privilege for disabled veteran -- exemptions from time limits -- requirements for accessible parking spaces. (1) The parking permit issued under this part, when displayed, entitles a person to park a motor vehicle in an accessible parking space designated for use by a person with a disability, whether on public property or on private property available for public use, when the person for whom the permit was issued is using the accessible parking space to enter or exit the vehicle.

(2) A vehicle or motorcycle may not stop, stand, or park within an accessible parking space designated for use by a person with a disability as provided in 49-4-304 unless:

(a) (i) the vehicle is lawfully displaying a disability parking permit issued under this part, a distinguishing license plate or placard for a person with a disability that was issued by a foreign jurisdiction conferring parking privileges similar to those conferred in subsection (1), or an inscribed license plate displaying the letters "DV" issued under 61-3-458(4)(b) or (4)(i) or displaying a wheelchair as provided in 61-3-332(9); and

(ii) the designated accessible parking space is being used by the person for whom the permit, plate, or placard was issued to enter or exit the vehicle; or

(b) the vehicle is being used to transport a person with a disability and is temporarily stopping, standing, or parking in an accessible parking space designated for use by a person with a disability as provided in 49-4-304 only for the purpose of loading or unloading the person with a disability.

(3) A vehicle or motorcycle may not stop, stand, or park within an access aisle designated for use by a person with a disability as provided in 49-4-304, regardless of whether a vehicle is lawfully displaying a disability parking permit issued under this part, a distinguishing license plate, or a placard for a person with a disability that was issued by a foreign jurisdiction conferring parking privileges similar to those conferred in subsection (1), or an inscribed license plate displaying the letters "DV" issued under 61-3-458(4)(b) or (4)(i) or displaying a wheelchair as provided in 61-3-332(9).

(4) Notice of the penalty for violation of this part is not required at the site of an accessible parking space.

(5) The governing body of a city, town, or county may exempt vehicles lawfully displaying a disability parking permit issued under this part and vehicles lawfully displaying an inscribed license plates plate displaying the letters "DV" issued under 61-3-458(4)(b) or (4)(i) or displaying a wheelchair as provided in 61-3-332(9) and parked in public places along public streets from any time limitation imposed upon parking, except in areas where:

(a) stopping, standing, or parking of all vehicles is prohibited;

(b) only special vehicles may be parked; or

(6) (a) In accordance with subsection (2), the governing body of a city, town, or county or appropriate state agency shall impose all, but not less than all, of the applicable requirements set forth in 28 CFR 36 as of February 10, 2021, with respect to any accessible parking space constructed after September 30, 1985, and reserved for a person with a disability or a permitholder on ways of this state open to the public, as defined in 61-8-101, or in the right-of-way, as defined in 60-1-103.

(b) In addition to requirements imposed under subsection (6)(a), an accessible parking space must be maintained and be free of any obstructions, including but not limited to snow, shipping pallets, and shopping carts. However, no person or business may be cited for violation of this subsection (6)(b) without an initial warning providing a reasonable amount of time to clear an obstruction."

Section 4. Section 61-1-101, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-1-101. Definitions. As used in this title, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following definitions apply:

(1) (a) "Authorized agent" means a person who has executed a written agreement with the department and is specifically authorized by the department to electronically access and update the department's motor vehicle titling, registration, or driver records, using an approved automated interface, for specific functions or purposes on behalf of a third party.

(b) For purposes of this subsection (1), "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, state agency, local government unit, another state government, the United States, a political subdivision of this or another state, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(2) "Authorized agent agreement" means the written agreement executed between an authorized agent and the department that sets the technical and operational program standards, compliance criteria, payment options, and service expectations by which the authorized agent is required to operate in performing specific motor vehicle or driver-related record functions.

(3) "Autocycle" means a three-wheeled motorcycle that is equipped with safety belts, roll bars or roll hoops, a steering wheel, and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride it.

(4) "Bus" means a motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 10 passengers and used for the transportation of persons and any other motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.

(5) (a) "Business entity" means a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity recognized under state law.

(b) The term does not include an individual.

(6) (a) "Camper" means a structure designed to be mounted in the cargo area of a truck or attached to an incomplete vehicle for the purpose of providing shelter for persons. The term includes but is not limited to a cab-over, half cab-over, noncab-over, telescopic, and telescopic cab-over.

(b) The term does not include a truck canopy cover or topper.

(7) "CDLIS driver record" means the electronic record of a person's commercial driver's license status and history stored as part of the commercial driver's license system established under 49 U.S.C. 31309.

(8) "Certificate of title" means the paper record issued by the department or by the appropriate agency of another jurisdiction that establishes a verifiable record of ownership between an identified person or persons and the motor vehicle specifically described in the record and that provides notice of a perfected security interest in the motor vehicle.

(9) "Commercial driver's license" means:

(a) a driver's license issued under or granted by the laws of this state that authorizes a person to operate a class of commercial motor vehicle; or

(b) the privilege of a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle, whether or not the person holds a valid commercial driver's license.

(10) (a) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle:

(i) has a gross combination weight rating or a gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;

(ii) has a gross vehicle weight rating or a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater;

(iii) is designed to transport at least 16 passengers, including the driver;

(iv) is a school bus; or

(v) is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials.

(b) The following vehicles are not commercial motor vehicles:

(i) an authorized emergency vehicle:

(A) equipped with audible and visual signals as required under 61-9-401 and 61-9-402; and

(B) operated when responding to or returning from an emergency call or operated in another official capacity;

(ii) a vehicle:

(A) controlled and operated by a farmer, family member of the farmer, or person employed by the farmer;

(B) used to transport farm products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from the farm within Montana within 150 miles of the farm or, if there is a reciprocity agreement with a state adjoining Montana, within 150 miles of the farm, including any area within that perimeter that is in the adjoining state; and

(iii) a vehicle operated for military purposes by active duty military personnel, a member of the military reserves, a member of the national guard on active duty, including personnel on full-time national guard duty, personnel in part-time national guard training, and national guard military technicians, or active duty United States coast guard personnel.

(i) "farmer" means a person who operates a farm or who is directly involved in the cultivation of land or crops or the raising of livestock owned by or under the direct control of that person;

(ii) "gross combination weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination or articulated vehicle;

(iii) "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle; and

(iv) "school bus" has the meaning provided in 49 CFR 383.5.

(11) "Commission" means the state transportation commission.

(12) "Custom-built motorcycle" means a motorcycle that is equipped with:

(a) an engine that was manufactured 20 years prior to the current calendar year and that has been altered from the manufacturer's original design; or

(b) an engine that was manufactured to resemble an engine 20 or more years old and that has been constructed in whole or in part from nonoriginal materials.

(13) "Custom vehicle" means a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle that:

(a) (i) was manufactured with a model year after 1948 and that is at least 25 years old; or

(ii) was built to resemble a vehicle manufactured after 1948 and at least 25 years before the current calendar year, including a kit vehicle intended to resemble a vehicle manufactured after 1948 and that is at least 25 years old; and

(b) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.

(14) "Customer identification number" means:

(a) a driver's license or identification card number when the customer is an individual who has been issued a driver's license or identification card by a state driver licensing authority;

(b) a federal employer or tax identification number when the customer is a business entity that has been issued a federal employer or tax identification number;

(c) the identification number assigned by the secretary of state to a business entity authorized to do business in this state under Title 35 if the customer is a business entity that does not have a federal employer or tax identification number other than a social security number; or

(d) if the customer has not been issued one of the numbers described in subsections (14)(a) through (14)(c), a number assigned to the customer by the department when a transaction is initiated under this title.

(15) (a) "Dealer" means a person that, for commission or profit, engages in whole or in part in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, or accepting on consignment new or used motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, pole trailers, travel trailers, motorboats, sailboats, snowmobiles, off-highway vehicles, or special mobile equipment that is not registered in the name of the person.

(b) The term does not include the following:

(i) receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under a judgment or order of any court of competent jurisdiction;

(ii) employees of the persons included in subsection (15)(b)(i) when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as employees; or

(iii) public officers while performing or in the operation of their duties.

(16) "Declared weight" means the total unladen weight of a vehicle plus the weight of the maximum load to be carried on the vehicle as stated by the registrant in the application for registration.

(17) "Department" means the department of justice acting directly or through its duly authorized officers or agents.

(18) "Dolly or converter gear" means a device consisting of one or two axles with a fifth wheel and trailer tongue used to support the forward end of a semitrailer, converting a semitrailer into a trailer.

(19) "Domiciled" means a place where:

(a) an individual establishes residence;

(b) a business entity maintains its principal place of business;

(d) a business entity most frequently uses, dispatches, or controls a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that it owns or leases.

(20) "Downgrade" means the removal of a person's privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle, as maintained by the department on the individual Montana driving record and the CDLIS driver record for that person.

(21) "Driver" means a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

(22) "Driver's license" means a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted by the laws of this state, including:

(a) any temporary license or learner license;

(b) the privilege of any person to drive a motor vehicle, whether or not the person holds a valid license;

(d) a motorcycle endorsement; or

(e) a commercial driver's license.

(23) "Electric personal assistive mobility device" means a device that has two nontandem wheels, is self-balancing, and is designed to transport only one person with an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to 12 1/2 miles an hour.

(24) "For hire" means an action performed for remuneration of any kind, whether paid or promised, either directly or indirectly, or received or obtained through leasing, brokering, or buy-and-sell arrangements from which a remuneration is obtained or derived for transportation service.

(25) (a) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designed for use on a golf course to carry a person or persons and golf equipment and that has an average speed of less than 15 miles per hour.

(b) Except as provided in 61-3-201, a golf cart is exempt from titling, registration, and mandatory liability insurance requirements under this title.

(26) "Gross vehicle weight" means the weight of a vehicle without load plus the weight of any load on the vehicle.

(27) "Hazardous material" means:

(a) any material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under 49 CFR, part 172; or

(b) any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR, part 73.

(28) "Highway" or "public highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every publicly maintained way when any part of the publicly maintained way is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

(29) "Highway patrol officer" means a state officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

(30) "Implement of husbandry" means a vehicle that is designed for agricultural purposes and exclusively used by the owner of the vehicle in the conduct of the owner's agricultural operations.

(31) "Kit vehicle" is a motor vehicle assembled from a manufactured kit either as:

(a) a complete kit, consisting of a prefabricated body and chassis, to construct a new motor vehicle; or

(b) a kit with a prefabricated body to be mounted to an existing motor vehicle chassis and drivetrain, commonly referred to as a donor vehicle.

(32) "Light vehicle" means a motor vehicle commonly referred to as an automobile, van, sport utility vehicle, or truck having a manufacturer's rated capacity of 1 ton or less.

(33) "Low-speed electric vehicle" means a motor vehicle, on or by which a person may be transported, that:

(a) has four wheels;

(b) has a maximum speed of at least 20 miles an hour and no greater than 40 miles an hour as certified by the manufacturer;

(c) is propelled by its own power, using an electric motor or other device that transforms stored electrical energy into the motion of the vehicle;

(d) stores electricity in batteries, ultracapacitors, or similar devices, which are charged from the power grid or from renewable electrical energy sources;

(e) has a wheelbase of 40 inches or greater and a wheel diameter of 10 inches or greater;

(f) exhibits a manufacturer's compliance with 49 CFR, part 565, or displays a 17-character vehicle identification number as provided in 49 CFR, part 565; and

(g) is equipped as provided in 61-9-432.

(34) "Low-speed restricted driver's license" means a license limited to the operation of a low-speed electric vehicle or a golf cart issued under or granted by the laws of this state, including:

(a) a temporary license or learner license;

(b) the privilege of a person to drive a low-speed electric vehicle or golf cart under the authority of 61-5-122, whether or not the person holds a valid driver's license; and

(35) "Manufactured home" has the meaning provided in 15-24-201.

(36) "Manufacturer" includes any person engaged in the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, pole trailers, travel trailers, motorboats, sailboats, snowmobiles, or off-highway vehicles as a regular business.

(37) "Manufacturer's certificate of origin" means the original paper record produced and issued by the manufacturer of a vehicle or, if in a medium authorized by the department, an electronic record created and transmitted by the manufacturer of a vehicle to the manufacturer's agent or a licensed dealer. The record must establish the origin of the vehicle specifically described in the record and, upon assignment, transfers of ownership of the vehicle to the person or persons named in the certificate.

(38) (a) "Medium-speed electric vehicle" is a motor vehicle, on or by which a person may be transported, that:

(i) has a maximum speed of 45 miles an hour as certified by the manufacturer;

(ii) is propelled by its own power, using an electric motor or other device that transforms stored electrical energy into the motion of the vehicle;

(iii) stores electricity in batteries, ultracapacitors, or similar devices, which are charged from the power grid or from renewable electrical energy sources;

(iv) is fully enclosed and includes at least one door for entry;

(v) has a wheelbase of 40 inches or greater and a wheel diameter of 10 inches or greater;

(vi) exhibits a manufacturer's compliance with 49 CFR, part 565, or displays a 17-character vehicle identification number as provided in 49 CFR, part 565;

(vii) bears a sticker, affixed by the manufacturer or dealer, on the left side of the rear window that indicates the vehicle's maximum speed rating; and

(viii) as certified by the manufacturer, is equipped as provided in 61-9-432.

(b) A medium-speed electric vehicle must be treated as a light vehicle for purposes of titling and registration under Title 61, chapter 3.

(39) "Mobile home" or "housetrailer" has the meaning provided in 15-24-201.

(40) "Montana resident" means:

(a) an individual who resides in Montana as determined under 1-1-215; or

(b) for the purposes of chapter 3, a business entity that maintains a principal place of business or a registered agent in this state.

(41) (a) "Motor carrier" means a person or corporation or its lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by a court that are operating motor vehicles on a public highway in this state for the transportation of property for hire on a commercial basis.

(b) The term does not include motor carriers regulated under Title 69, chapter 12.

(42) "Motor home" means a motor vehicle:

(a) designed to provide temporary living quarters, built as an integral part of or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or van;

(b) containing permanently installed independent life support systems that meet the NFPA 1192 standard on recreational vehicles; and

(i) cooking, refrigeration, or icebox;

(ii) self-contained toilet;

(iii) heating or air conditioning, or both;

(iv) potable water supply, including a faucet and sink; or

(v) separate 110-volt or 125-volt electrical power supply or a liquefied petroleum gas supply, or both.

(43) (a) "Motor vehicle" means:

(i) a vehicle propelled by its own power and designed or used to transport persons or property on the highways of the state;

(ii) a quadricycle if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9; or

(iii) a golf cart only if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9 and is operated pursuant to 61-8-391 or by a person with a low-speed restricted driver's license.

(b) The term does not include a bicycle or a moped as defined in 61-8-102, an electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorized nonstandard vehicle, or a motorized wheelchair or other low-powered, mechanically propelled vehicle that is designed specifically for use by a physically disabled person and that is used as a means of mobility for that person.

(44) (a) "Motorboat" means a vessel, including a personal watercraft or pontoon, propelled by any machinery, motor, or engine of any description, whether or not the machinery, motor, or engine is the principal source of propulsion. The term includes boats temporarily equipped with detachable motors or engines.

(b) The term does not include a vessel that has a valid marine document issued by the United States coast guard or any successor federal agency.

(45) (a) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle that has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator and that is designated to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. A motorcycle may carry one or more attachments and a seat for the conveyance of a passenger.

(b) A motorcycle designed for use on highways is a motor vehicle unless otherwise prescribed.

(c) A motorcycle designed for off-road recreational use is an off-highway vehicle unless it has been modified to meet the equipment standards specified in chapter 9 and has been registered for highway use.

(d) The term includes an autocycle.

(e) The term does not include a tractor, a bicycle or a moped as defined in 61-8-102, a motorized nonstandard vehicle, or a two- or three-wheeled all-terrain vehicle that is used exclusively on private property.

(46) (a) "Motor-driven cycle" means a motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with a motor that produces 5 horsepower or less.

(b) The term does not include a bicycle or a moped, as defined in 61-8-102, or a motorized nonstandard vehicle.

(47) (a) "Motorized nonstandard vehicle" means a vehicle, on or by which a person may be transported, that:

(i) is propelled by its own power, using an internal combustion engine or an electric motor;

(ii) has a wheelbase of less than 40 inches and a wheel diameter of less than 10 inches; and

(iii) does not display a manufacturer's certification in accordance with 49 CFR, part 567, or have a 17-character vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer in accordance with 49 CFR, part 565.

(b) The term includes but is not limited to a motorized skateboard and a vehicle commonly known as a "pocket rocket".

(c) The term does not include a moped as defined in 61-8-102, an electric personal assistive mobility device, or a motorized wheelchair or other low-powered, mechanically propelled vehicle designed specifically for use by a physically disabled person.

(48) "New motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, regardless of the mileage of the vehicle, the legal or equitable title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to another person as the result of a retail sale.

(49) "Nonresident" means a person who is not a Montana resident.

(50) (a) "Not used for general transportation purposes" means the operation of a motor vehicle registered as a collector's item, a custom vehicle, a street rod, or a custom-built motorcycle to or from a car or motorcycle club activity or event or an exhibit, show, cruise night, or parade, or for other occasional transportation activity.

(b) The term does not include operation of a motor vehicle for routine or ordinary household maintenance, employment, education, or other similar purposes.

(51) (a) "Off-highway vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle designed for recreation or cross-country travel on public lands, trails, easements, lakes, rivers, or streams. The term includes but is not limited to motorcycles, quadricycles, dune buggies, amphibious vehicles, air cushion vehicles, and any other means of land transportation deriving motive power from any source other than muscle or wind.

(b) The term does not include:

(i) vehicles designed primarily for travel on, over, or in the water;

(ii) snowmobiles; or

(iii) motor vehicles designed to transport persons or property on the highways unless the vehicle is used for off-road recreation on public lands.

(52) "Operator" means a person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.

(53) "Owner" means each person who holds the legal title to a vehicle. If a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale of the vehicle with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession and control vested in an individual human being or in the event a vehicle is subject to a lease, contract, or other legal arrangement vesting right of possession or control, for security or otherwise in an individual human being, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession and control, then the owner is the individual human being or mortgagor in whom is vested the right of possession and control.

(54) "Person" means an individual human being, corporation, partnership, association, firm, or other legal entity.

(55) "Personal watercraft" means a vessel that uses an outboard motor or an inboard engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of propulsion and that is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than by the conventional method of sitting or standing in the vessel.

(56) "Pole trailer" means a vehicle without power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes, or structural members capable generally of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.

(57) "Police officer" means an officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

(58) (a) "Quadricycle" means a four-wheeled motor vehicle, designed for on-road or off-road use, having a seat or saddle on which the operator sits.

(b) The term does not include golf carts.

(59) "Railroad" means a carrier of persons or property on cars, other than streetcars, operated on stationary rails.

(60) (a) "Railroad train" or "train" means a steam engine or electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled to the engine, that is operated on rails.

(b) The term does not include streetcars.

(61) "Recreational vehicle" includes a motor home, travel trailer, or camper.

(62) "Registration" or "register" means the act or process of creating an electronic record, maintained by the department, of the assignment of a license plate or a set of license plates to and the issuance of a registration decal for a specific vehicle, the ownership of which has been established or is presumed in department records.

(63) "Registration decal" means an adhesive sticker produced by the department and issued by the department, its authorized agent, or a county treasurer to the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, or snowmobile as proof of payment of all fees imposed for the registration period indicated on the sticker as recorded by the department under 61-3-101.

(64) "Registration receipt" means a paper record that is produced and issued or, if authorized by the department, an electronic record that is transmitted by the department, its authorized agent, or a county treasurer to the owner of a vehicle that identifies a vehicle, based on information maintained in the electronic record of title for the vehicle, and that provides evidence of the payment of all fees required to be paid for the registration of the vehicle for the registration period indicated in the receipt.

(65) "Retail sale" means the sale of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, travel trailer, motorboat, snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, or special mobile equipment by a dealer to a person for purposes other than resale.

(66) "Revocation" means the termination by action of the department of a person's driver's license, privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways, and privilege to apply for and be issued a driver's license for a period of time designated by law, during which the license or privilege may not be renewed, restored, or exercised. An application for a new license may be presented and acted on by the department after the expiration of the period of the revocation.

(67) "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. In the event that a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term refers to any roadway separately but not to all roadways collectively.

(68) (a) "Sailboat" means a vessel that uses a sail and wind as its primary source of propulsion.

(b) The term does not include a canoe or kayak propelled by wind.

(69) "School zone" means an area near a school beginning at the school's front door, encompassing the campus and school property, and including the streets directly adjacent to the school property and for as many blocks surrounding the school as determined by the local authority establishing a special speed limit under 61-8-310(1)(d).

(70) "Sell" means to transfer ownership from one person to another person or from a dealer to another person for consideration.

(71) "Semitrailer" means a vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that some part of its weight and that of its load rests on or is carried by another vehicle.

(72) "Snowmobile" means a self-propelled vehicle of an overall width of 48 inches or less, excluding accessories, that is designed primarily for travel on snow or ice, that may be steered by skis or runners, and that is not otherwise registered or licensed under the laws of the state of Montana.

(73) "Special mobile equipment" means a vehicle not designed for the transportation of persons or property on the highways but incidentally operated or moved over the highways, including road construction or maintenance machinery, ditch-digging apparatus, and well-boring apparatus. The fact that equipment is permanently attached to a vehicle does not make the vehicle special mobile equipment. The enumeration in this subsection is partial and does not exclude other vehicles that are within the general terms of this subsection.

(74) (a) "Specially constructed vehicle" means a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, that:

(i) was not originally constructed under a distinctive make, model, or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of motor vehicles;

(ii) has been structurally modified so that it does not have the same appearance as similar vehicles from a generally recognized manufacturer of motor vehicles;

(iii) has been constructed or assembled entirely from custom-built parts and materials not obtained from other vehicles;

(iv) has been constructed or assembled by using major component parts from one or more manufactured vehicles and that cannot be identified as a specific make or model; or

(v) has been constructed by the use of a kit that cannot be visually identified as a specific make or model.

(b) The term does not include a motor vehicle that has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts.

(75) (a) "Sport utility vehicle" means a light vehicle designed to transport 10 or fewer persons that is constructed on a truck chassis or that has special features for occasional off-road use.

(b) The term does not include trucks having a manufacturer's rated capacity of 1 ton or less.

(76) (a) "Stop", when required, means complete cessation from movement.

(b) "Stop", "stopping", or "standing", when prohibited, means any stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer, highway patrol officer, or traffic control sign or signal.

(77) "Storage lot" means property owned, leased, or rented by a dealer that is not contiguous to the dealer's established place of business where a motor vehicle from the dealer's inventory may be placed when space at the dealer's established place of business is not available.

(78) "Street" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every publicly maintained way when any part of the publicly maintained way is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

(79) "Street rod" means a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, that:

(a) was manufactured prior to 1949 or was built to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949, including a kit vehicle intended to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and

(b) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.

(80) "Suspension" means the temporary withdrawal by action of the department of a person's driver's license, privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways, and privilege to apply for or be issued a driver's license for a period of time designated by law.

(81) "Temporary registration permit" means a paper record:

(a) issued by the department, an authorized agent, a county treasurer, or a person, using a department-approved electronic interface after an electronic record has been transmitted to the department, that contains:

(i) required vehicle and owner information; and

(ii) the purpose for which the record was generated; and

(b) that, when placed in a durable license-plate style plastic pouch approved by the department and displayed as prescribed in 61-3-224, authorizes a person to operate the described motor vehicle, motorboat, sailboat that is 12 feet in length or longer, snowmobile, or off-highway vehicle for:

(i) 40 days from the date the record is issued or until the vehicle is registered under Title 23 or this title, whichever first occurs; or

(ii) 90 days from the date the record is issued for a permit issued pursuant to 61-3-303(4)(b).

(82) "Traffic" means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highways for purposes of travel.

(83) (a) "Trailer" means a vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of its weight rests on the towing vehicle.

(b) The term does not include a mobile home or a manufactured home, as defined in 15-1-101.

(84) "Transaction summary receipt" means an electronic record produced and issued by the department, its authorized agent, or a county treasurer for which a paper receipt is issued. The record may be created by the department and transmitted to the owner of a vehicle, a secured party, or a lienholder. The record must contain a unique transaction record number and summarize and verify the electronic filing of the transaction described in the receipt on the electronic record of title maintained under 61-3-101.

(85) "Travel trailer" means a vehicle:

(a) that is 46 feet or less in length;

(b) that is of a size or weight that does not require special permits when towed by a motor vehicle; and

(c) that is designed to provide temporary facilities for recreational, travel, or camping use and not used as a principal residence.

(86) "Truck" or "motortruck" means a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

(87) "Truck tractor" means a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not constructed to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load drawn.

(88) "Under the influence" has the meaning provided in 61-8-1001.

(89) "Used motor vehicle" includes any motor vehicle that has been sold, bargained, exchanged, or given away or had its title transferred from the person who first took title to it from the manufacturer, importer, dealer, wholesaler, or agent of the manufacturer or importer and that has been used so as to have become what is commonly known as "secondhand" within the ordinary meaning of that term.

(90) "Van" means a motor vehicle designed for the transportation of at least six persons and not more than nine persons and intended for but not limited to family or personal transportation without compensation.

(91) (a) "Vehicle" means a device in, on, or by which any person or property may be transported or drawn on a public highway, except devices moved by animal power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.

(b) The term does not include a manually or mechanically propelled wheelchair or other low-powered, mechanically propelled vehicle that is designed specifically for use by a physically disabled person and that is used as a means of mobility for that person.

(92) "Vehicle identification number" means the number, letters, or combination of numbers and letters assigned by the manufacturer, by the department, or in accordance with the laws of another state or country for the purpose of identifying the motor vehicle or a component part of the motor vehicle.

(93) "Vessel" means every description of watercraft, unless otherwise defined by the department, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(94) "Wholesaler" means a person that for a commission or with intent to make a profit or gain of money or other thing of value sells, exchanges, or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of an interest in a used motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, travel trailer, motorboat, snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, or special mobile equipment only to dealers and auto auctions licensed under chapter 4, part 1."

Section 5. Section 61-3-301, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-301. Registration -- license plate required -- display. (1) (a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer upon the public highways of Montana unless the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer is properly registered and has the proper license plates plate conspicuously displayed on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer. A license plate must be securely fastened to prevent it from swinging and may not be obstructed from plain view.

(b) (i) Except as provided in 61-4-120, 61-4-129, and subsections (1)(b)(ii) through (1)(b)(iv) of this section, all All motor vehicles must have one license plate displayed on the front and one license plate displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle.

(ii) A motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer must have a single license plate displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

(iii) A custom vehicle or a street rod registered under 61-3-320 (1)(b) or (1)(c)(iii) may display a single license plate firmly attached to the rear exterior of the custom vehicle or street rod.

(iv) If a person is not able to comply with the requirement that a front license plate be displayed because of the body construction of the motor vehicle, the person may submit to the highway patrol an application for a waiver along with a $25 inspection fee. A certificate of waiver must be issued upon inspection of the vehicle by a highway patrol officer. The certificate must at all times be carried in the motor vehicle and must be displayed upon demand of a peace officer. Money collected from the inspection fee must be deposited in a highway revenue account in the state special revenue fund to the credit of the department of transportation.

(c) A person may not display on a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer at the same time a number assigned to it under any motor vehicle law except as provided in this chapter.

(d) A low-speed electric vehicle or a golf cart operated by a person with a low-speed restricted driver's license must have special license plates a special license plate, as provided in 61-3-332(9), displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.

(2) A person may not purchase or display on a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer a license plate bearing the number assigned to any county, as provided in 61-3-332, other than the county where the vehicle is domiciled or the county where the trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer is domiciled at the time of application for registration.

(3) It is unlawful to:

(a) display license plates a license plate issued to one motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer on any other motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer unless legally transferred as provided by statute; or

(b) repaint old license plates to resemble current license plates.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "conspicuously displayed" means that the required license plates are plate is obviously visible and firmly attached to:

(a) the front bumper and the rear bumper of a motor vehicle that is subject to subsection (1)(b)(i) and is equipped with front and rear bumpers a rear bumper; or

(b) a clearly visible location on the rear of a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, travel trailer, or motor vehicle that is subject to subsections (1)(b)(ii) through (1)(b)(iv)."

Section 6. Section 61-3-303, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-303. Original registration -- process -- fees. (1) Except as provided in 61-3-324, a Montana resident who is an owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer operated or driven upon the public highways of this state shall register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer in the county where the registering owner is domiciled. A nonresident who has an interest in real property in Montana may register in the county where the real property is located a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer operated or driven upon the public highways of this state.

(2) A Montana resident who is an owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer with co-owners, one or more of whom are not Montana residents, may register the vehicle regardless of the fact that one or more of the co-owners would otherwise not qualify to register the vehicle under subsection (1) if the registering Montana resident is:

(a) an individual human being; and

(b) the principal operator of, and in whom is vested the right of possession and control of, the vehicle.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4), the county treasurer or an authorized agent shall register any vehicle for which:

(a) as of the date that the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is to be registered, an owner delivers an application for a certificate of title to the department, an authorized agent, or a county treasurer; or

(b) the county treasurer or an authorized agent confirms that the department has an electronic record of title for the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as provided under 61-3-101.

(4) (a) A county treasurer or an authorized agent may register a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer for which a certificate of title and registration were issued in another jurisdiction and for which registration is required under 61-3-701 after the county treasurer or the authorized agent examines the current out-of-jurisdiction registration certificate or receipt and receives payment of the fees required in 61-3-701. The county treasurer or an authorized agent may ask the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer owner to provide additional information, prescribed by the department, to ensure that the electronic record of registration maintained by the department is complete.

(b) A county treasurer or an authorized agent shall collect fees pursuant to 61-3-203 and 61-3-220(4) and issue a 90-day temporary registration permit pursuant to 61-3-224 for a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, sailboat that is 12 feet in length or longer, snowmobile, or off-highway vehicle for which the new owner cannot, due to circumstances beyond the new owner's control, surrender a previously assigned certificate of title. The new owner shall request the 90-day temporary registration permit from the authorized agent or county treasurer that originally issued the temporary registration permit.

(5) Upon registering a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer for the first time in this state, the county treasurer or an authorized agent shall:

(a) update the electronic record of title, if any, maintained for the vehicle by the department under 61-3-101;

(b) assign a registration period for the vehicle under 61-3-311;

(d) determine the amount of fees, including local option taxes or fees, to be paid under subsection (6); and

(e) assign and issue license plates a license plate for the vehicle under 61-3-331.

(6) Unless otherwise provided by law, a person registering a motor vehicle shall pay to the county treasurer or an authorized agent:

(a) the fees in lieu of tax or registration fees as required for:

(i) a light vehicle under 61-3-321 or 61-3-562, in addition to, if applicable, any local option tax or fee under 61-3-537 or 61-3-570;

(ii) a motor home under 61-3-321;

(iii) a travel trailer under 61-3-321;

(iv) a motorcycle or quadricycle under 61-3-321;

(v) a bus, a truck having a manufacturer's rated capacity of more than 1 ton, or a truck tractor under 61-3-321 and 61-3-529; or

(vi) a trailer under 61-3-321;

(b) a donation of $1 or more if the person indicates that the person wishes to donate to promote awareness and education efforts for procurement of organ and tissue donations in Montana to favorably impact anatomical gifts; and

(c) a donation of $1 or more if the person indicates that the person wishes to donate to promote education on, support for, and awareness of traumatic brain injury.

(7) The county treasurer or an authorized agent may not issue a registration receipt or license plates plate for the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer to the owner unless the owner makes the payments required by subsection (6).

(8) The department may make full and complete investigation of the registration status of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. A person seeking to register a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer under this section shall provide additional information to support the registration to the department if requested.

(9) Revenue that accrues from the voluntary donation provided in subsection (6)(b) must be forwarded by the respective county treasurer or an authorized agent to the department for deposit in the state special revenue fund to the credit of an account established by the department of labor and industry to support activities related to awareness and education efforts for procurement of organ and tissue donations for anatomical gifts.

(10) (a) Except as provided in subsection (10)(b), the fees in lieu of tax, taxes, and fees imposed on or collected from the registration of a travel trailer, motorcycle, or quadricycle or a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that has a declared weight of less than 26,000 pounds are required to be paid only once during the time that the travel trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is owned by the same person who registered the travel trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. When registered, a travel trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is registered permanently unless ownership is transferred or unless it was registered under 61-3-701.

(b) Whenever ownership of a travel trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is transferred, the new owner is required to register the travel trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as if it were being registered for the first time, including paying all of the required fees in lieu of tax, taxes, and fees.

(11) Revenue that accrues from the voluntary donation provided in subsection (6)(c) must be forwarded by the respective county treasurer or an authorized agent to the department for deposit in the state special revenue fund to the credit of the account established in 2-15-2218 to support activities related to education regarding prevention of traumatic brain injury.

(12) The department, an authorized agent of the department, or a county treasurer shall use the online motor vehicle liability insurance verification system provided in 61-6-157 to verify that the vehicle owner has complied with the requirements of 61-6-301."

Section 7. Section 61-3-320, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-320. Registration -- custom vehicle, street rod, originally equipped older vehicle, kit vehicle, or specially constructed vehicle. (1) (a) A custom vehicle or street rod:

(i) that is more than 30 years old may be registered under 61-3-411 as a collector's item; or

(ii) may be registered, depending on the vehicle type, as a motor home, a bus, a truck having a manufacturer's rated capacity of more than 1 ton, a truck tractor, or a light vehicle upon payment of the registration fee required in 61-3-321, the applicable fee or fee in lieu of tax provided for in 61-3-529 or 61-3-562, and, if applicable, any local option tax or fee under 61-3-537 or 61-3-570.

(b) The owner of a custom vehicle or street rod that is originally registered under subsection (1)(a) or that was registered prior to January 1, 2006, may be authorized to operate the custom vehicle or street rod while displaying only one license plate on the rear exterior of the vehicle if the owner certifies that the custom vehicle or street rod is not used for general transportation purposes and pays an additional $10 fee, to be deposited in the state general fund.

(c)(b) (i) Upon original registration of a custom vehicle or street rod under subsection (1)(a)(i), a custom vehicle or street rod must be assigned a set of pioneer or vintage license plates plate, as described in 61-3-411(2), or a set of an original Montana license plates plate or collector reproduction license plates plate, as allowed under 61-3-412.

(ii) Upon original registration of a custom vehicle or street rod under subsection (1)(a)(ii) and unless the owner has applied for a personalized license plates plate, special license plates plate for military personnel, veterans, or spouses, collegiate plates plate, or generic specialty license plates plateor has met the requirements of subsection (1)(b), a set of standard license plates plate must be assigned to the vehicle under 61-3-331.

(iii) Upon original registration of a custom vehicle or street rod under subsection (1)(a)(ii) and if the owner of a custom vehicle or street rod has met the requirements of subsection (1)(b), a single license plate, including a personalized standard license plate, special license plate for military personnel, veterans, or spouses, collegiate plate, or generic specialty license plate, if otherwise available to the vehicle owner or vehicle type, may be issued for the custom vehicle or street rod.

(d) The owner of an originally equipped motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, that is more than 30 years old and that is not registered as a collector's item under 61-3-411 may be authorized to operate the motor vehicle while displaying only one license plate on the rear exterior of the vehicle, as if it were a custom vehicle or street rod, if the owner:

(i) certifies that the originally equipped motor vehicle is not used for general transportation purposes;

(ii) pays any fees required under 61-3-321, 61-3-529, or 61-3-562 and, if applicable, a local option tax or fee under 61-3-537 or 61-3-570, plus an additional $10 fee, to be deposited in the state general fund; and

(iii) is otherwise eligible, based on the owner's status and the vehicle type, for one of the single license plate options available to an owner of a custom vehicle or street rod under this subsection (1).

(2) (a) The owner of a kit vehicle shall pay the registration fees provided for in 61-3-321 and, if applicable, any local option tax or fee under 61-3-537 or 61-3-570.

(b) Upon original registration of a kit vehicle and unless the owner has applied for a special license plates plate, collegiate plates plate, or generic specialty license plates plate, a standard license plates plate must be assigned and issued to the kit vehicle under 61-3-331.

(3) (a) Depending on whether the specially constructed vehicle is a motor home, bus, truck having a manufacturer's rated capacity of more than 1 ton, truck tractor, or light vehicle, the owner of a specially constructed vehicle shall pay the registration fees provided for in 61-3-321, any registration fee or fee in lieu of tax provided for in 61-3-529, and, if applicable, any local option tax or fee under 61-3-537 or 61-3-570.

(b) Upon original registration of a specially constructed vehicle and unless the owner has applied for a special license plates plate, collegiate plates plate, or generic specialty license plates plate, a standard license plates plate must be assigned and issued to the specially constructed vehicle under 61-3-331."

Section 8. Section 61-3-321, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-321. Registration fees of vehicles and vessels -- certain vehicles exempt from registration fees -- disposition of fees -- definition. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, registration fees must be paid upon registration or, if applicable, renewal of registration of motor vehicles, snowmobiles, watercraft, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers as provided in subsections (2) through (20).

(2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), unless a light vehicle is permanently registered under 61-3-562, the annual registration fee for light vehicles, trucks, and buses that weigh 1 ton or less and for logging trucks that weigh 1 ton or less is as follows:

(i) if the vehicle is 4 or less years old, $217;

(ii) if the vehicle is 5 through 10 years old, $87; and

(iii) if the vehicle is 11 or more years old, $28.

(b) For a light vehicle with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of more than $150,000 that is 10 years old or less, the annual registration fee is the amount provided for in subsection (2)(a) plus $825.

(3) (a) Except as provided in subsections (3)(b) and (15), the one-time registration fee based on the declared weight of a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is as follows:

(i) if the declared weight is less than 6,000 pounds, $61.25; or

(ii) if the declared weight is 6,000 pounds or more, $148.25.

(b) For a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is registered under 61-3-701, the annual registration fee based on the declared weight is as follows:

(i) if the declared weight is less than 6,000 pounds, $30; or

(ii) if the declared weight is 6,000 pounds or more, $60.

(4) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for motor vehicles owned and operated solely as collector's items pursuant to 61-3-411, based on the weight of the vehicle, is as follows:

(a) 2,850 pounds and over, $10; and

(b) under 2,850 pounds, $5.

(5) (a) Except as provided in subsections (5)(b) and (15), the one-time registration fee for off-highway vehicles other than a quadricycle or motorcycle is $61.25.

(b) Whenever a valid summer motorized recreation trail pass issued pursuant to 23-2-111 is affixed to an off-highway vehicle other than a quadricycle or motorcycle, the one-time registration fee is $41.25.

(6) The annual registration fee for heavy trucks, buses, and logging trucks in excess of 1 ton is $22.75.

(7) (a) Except as provided in subsection (7)(c), the annual registration fee for a motor home, based on the age of the motor home, is as follows:

(i) less than 2 years old, $282.50;

(ii) 2 years old and less than 5 years old, $224.25;

(iii) 5 years old and less than 8 years old, $132.50; and

(iv) 8 years old and older, $97.50.

(b) The owner of a motor home that is 11 years old or older and that is subject to the registration fee under this section may permanently register the motor home upon payment of:

(i) a one-time registration fee of $237.50;

(ii) unless a new set of license plates license plate is being issued, an insurance verification fee of $5, which must be deposited in the account established under 61-6-158;

(iii) if applicable, five times the renewal fees for a personalized license plates plate under 61-3-406; and

(iv) if applicable, the donation fee for a generic specialty license plate under 61-3-480 or a collegiate license plate under 61-3-465.

(c) For a motor home with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of more than $300,000 that is 10 years old or less, the annual registration fee is the amount provided in subsection (7)(a) plus $800.

(8) (a) (i) Except as provided in subsections (8)(b), (8)(c), and (15), the one-time registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for use on the public highways is $53.25, the one-time registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for off-highway use is $53.25, and the one-time registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for both off-road use and for use on the public highways is $114.50.

(ii) An additional fee of $16 must be collected for the registration of each motorcycle or quadricycle as a safety fee, which must be deposited in the state motorcycle safety account provided for in 20-25-1002.

(b) (i) The annual registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for use on the public highways under 61-3-701 is $44.

(ii) The annual registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for off-highway use under 61-3-701 is $44.

(iii) The annual registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for both off-road use and for use on the public highways under 61-3-701 is $88.

(iv) An additional safety fee of $7 must be collected annually for each motorcycle or quadricycle registered under 61-3-701. The safety fee must be deposited in the state motorcycle safety account provided for in 20-25-1002.

(c) Whenever a valid summer motorized recreation trail pass issued pursuant to 23-2-111 is affixed to a motorcycle or quadricycle, the one-time registration fee for motorcycles and quadricycles registered for:

(i) use on the public highways is $33.25; and

(ii) both off-road use and for use on the public highways is $94.50.

(9) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for travel trailers, based on the length of the travel trailer, is as follows:

(a) under 16 feet in length, $72; and

(b) 16 feet in length or longer, $152.

(10) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for a motorboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, or motorized pontoon required to be numbered under 23-2-512 is as follows:

(a) for a personal watercraft or a motorboat, sailboat, or motorized pontoon less than 16 feet in length, $65.50;

(b) for a motorboat, sailboat, or motorized pontoon at least 16 feet in length but less than 19 feet in length, $125.50; and

(11) (a) Except as provided in subsections (11)(b), (11)(c), and (15), the one-time registration fee for a snowmobile is $60.50.

(b) Whenever a valid winter trail pass issued pursuant to 23-2-636 is affixed to a snowmobile, the one-time registration fee is $40.50.

(c) (i) A snowmobile that is licensed by a Montana business and is owned exclusively for the purpose of daily rental to customers is assessed:

(A) a fee of $40.50 in the first year of registration; and

(B) if the business reregisters the snowmobile for a second year, a fee of $20.

(ii) If the business reregisters the snowmobile for a third year, the snowmobile must be permanently registered and the business is assessed the registration fee imposed in subsection (11)(a).

(12) (a) The one-time registration fee for a low-speed electric vehicle is $25.

(b) The one-time registration fee for a golf cart that is owned by a person who has or is applying for a low-speed restricted driver's license is $25.

(c) The one-time registration fee for golf carts authorized to operate on certain public streets and highways pursuant to 61-8-391 is $25. Upon receipt of the fee, the department shall issue the owner a decal, which must be displayed visibly on the golf cart.

(13) (a) Except as provided in subsection (13)(b), a fee of $10 $5 must be collected when a new set of standard license plates license plate, a new single standard license plate, or a replacement set of special license plates plate required under 61-3-332 is issued. The $10 $5 fee imposed under this subsection does not apply when previously issued license plates are transferred under 61-3-335. All registration fees imposed under this section must be paid if the vehicle to which the plates are plate is transferred is not currently registered.

(b) An additional fee of $15 must be collected if a vehicle owner elects to keep the same license plate number from license plates issued before January 1, 2010, when replacement of those plates the plate is required under 61-3-332(3).

(c) The fees imposed in this subsection (13) must be deposited in the account established under 61-6-158, except that $2 of the fee imposed in subsection (13)(a) must be deposited in the state general fund.

(14) The provisions of this part with respect to the payment of registration fees do not apply to and are not binding upon motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, snowmobiles, watercraft, or tractors owned or controlled by the United States of America or any state, county, city, or special district, as defined in 18-8-202, or to a vehicle or vessel that meets the description of property exempt from taxation under 15-6-201(1)(a), (1)(d), (1)(e), (1)(g), (1)(h), (1)(i), (1)(k), (1)(l), (1)(n), or (1)(o), 15-6-203, or 15-6-215, except as provided in 61-3-520.

(15) Whenever ownership of a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, off-highway vehicle, motorcycle, quadricycle, travel trailer, motor home, motorboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, motorized pontoon, snowmobile, motor vehicle owned and operated solely as a collector's item pursuant to 61-3-411, or low-speed electric vehicle is transferred, the new owner shall title and register the vehicle or vessel as required by this chapter and pay the fees imposed under this section.

(16) A person eligible for a waiver under 61-3-460 is exempt from the fees required under this section.

(17) Except as otherwise provided in this section, revenue collected under this section must be deposited in the state general fund.

(18) The fees imposed by subsections (2) through (12) are not required to be paid by a dealer for the enumerated vehicles or vessels that constitute inventory of the dealership.

(19) (a) Unless a person exercises the option in either subsection (19)(b) or (19)(c), an additional fee of $9 must be collected for each light vehicle registered under this part. This fee must be accounted for and transmitted separately from the registration fee. Of the $9 fee:

(i) $6.74 must be deposited in the state special revenue account established in 23-1-105 and used for state parks;

(ii) 50 cents must be deposited in an account in the state special revenue fund to the credit of the department of fish, wildlife, and parks and used for fishing access sites;

(iii) $1.37 must be deposited in the trails and recreation facilities state special revenue account established in 23-2-108; and

(iv) 39 cents must be deposited in the Montana heritage preservation and development account established in 22-3-1004 and used for the operation of state-owned facilities at Virginia City and Nevada City.

(b) A person who registers a light vehicle may, at the time of annual registration, certify that the person does not intend to use the vehicle to visit state parks and fishing access sites and may make a written election not to pay the additional $9 fee provided for in subsection (19)(a). If a written election is made, the fee may not be collected.

(c) (i) A person who registers one or more light vehicles may, at the time of annual registration, certify that the person does not intend to use any of the vehicles to visit state parks and fishing access sites and may make a written election not to pay the additional $9 fee provided for in subsection (19)(a). If a written election is made, the fee may not be collected at any subsequent annual registration unless the person makes the written election to pay the additional fee on one or more of the light vehicles.

(ii) The written election not to pay the additional fee on a light vehicle expires if the vehicle is registered to a different person.

(20) For each light vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, heavy truck, motor home, motorcycle, quadricycle, and travel trailer subject to a registration fee under this section, an additional fee of $10 must be collected and forwarded to the state for deposit in the account established in 44-1-504.

(21) (a) If a person exercises the option in subsection (21)(b), an additional fee of $5 must be collected for each light vehicle registered under this part. This fee must be accounted for and transmitted separately from the registration fee. The fee must be deposited in an account in the state special revenue fund. Funds in the account are statutorily appropriated, as provided in 17-7-502, to the department of transportation and must be allocated as provided in 60-3-309.

(b) A person who registers one or more light vehicles may, at the time of annual registration, make a written or electronic election to pay the additional $5 fee provided for in subsection (21)(a).

(22) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is governed by 61-3-721.

(23) (a) The $800 and $825 amounts collected based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price in subsections (2) and (7) are exempt from the provisions of 15-1-122 and must be deposited in the motor vehicle division administration account established in 61-3-112.

(b) By August 15 of each year, beginning in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, the department of justice shall deposit into the general fund an amount equal to the fiscal yearend balance minus 25% of the current fiscal year appropriation for the account established in 61-3-112.

(24) For the purposes of this section, "manufacturer's suggested retail price" means the price suggested by a manufacturer for each given type, style, or model of a light vehicle or motor home produced and first made available for retail sale by the manufacturer."

Section 9. Section 61-3-331, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-331. Assignment of license plates plate. The county treasurer or an authorized agent shall, at the time of issuing a registration receipt under 61-3-322, assign the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer a distinctive license plate number and, unless the license plates plate must be specially ordered from the department, deliver to the applicant, depending on the type of motor vehicle that was registered, a set of two license plates or one license plate, each of which must bear the assigned distinctive number."

Section 10. Section 61-3-332, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-332. Standard license plates. (1) In addition to special license plates, collegiate license plates, generic specialty license plates, and fleet license plates authorized under this chapter, a separate series of standard license plates must be issued for motor vehicles, quadricycles, travel trailers, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers registered in this state or offered for sale by a vehicle dealer licensed in this state. Standard license plates issued to licensed vehicle dealers must be readily distinguishable from license plates issued to vehicles owned by other persons.

(2) (a) Except as provided in 61-3-479 and subsections (2)(b), (3)(b), and (3)(c) of this section, all standard license plates for motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers must bear a distinctive marking, as determined by the department, and be furnished by the department. In years when standard license plates are not reissued for a vehicle, the department shall provide a registration decal that must be affixed to the rear license plate of the vehicle.

(b) For light vehicles that are permanently registered as provided in 61-3-562 and motor vehicles described in 61-3-303(10) that are permanently registered, the department shall provide a distinctive registration decal indicating that the motor vehicle is permanently registered. The registration decal must be affixed to the rear license plate of the permanently registered motor vehicle.

(c) For a travel trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is permanently registered as provided in 61-3-313(2), the department may use the word or an abbreviation for the word "permanent" on the plate in lieu of issuing a registration decal for the plate.

(3) (a) (i) New license plates issued under 61-3-303 or this section must be a standard license plate design first issued in 1989 or later or current collegiate or generic specialty license plate designs. For the purposes of this subsection (3), all military, veteran, and amateur radio license plates and any license plate with a wheelchair design, excluding collegiate or generic specialty plates with a wheelchair design, are treated as standard license plates.

(ii) (A) Except as provided in subsection (3)(a)(ii)(B), license plates a license plate issued on or after January 1, 2010, must be replaced with a new license plates plate if, upon renewal of registration under 61-3-312, the license plates are plate is 5 or more years old or will become older than 5 years during the registration period. New A new license plates plate must be issued in accordance with the implementation schedule adopted by the department under 61-14-101.

(B) License plates A license plate issued to a disabled veteran with a combat-related disability must be replaced with a new license plates plate if, on renewal of registration under 61-3-312, the license plates are plate is 10 or more years old or will become older than 10 years during the registration period.

(iii) A vehicle owner may elect to keep the same license plate number from license plates issued before January 1, 2010, when replacement of those plates is required under this subsection.

(b) A motor vehicle that is registered for a 13-month to a 24-month period, as provided in 61-3-311, may display the license plate and plate design in effect at the time of registration for the entire registration period.

(c) A light vehicle described in subsection (2)(b) or a motor home that is permanently registered may display the license plate and plate design in effect at the time of registration for the entire period that the light vehicle or motor home is permanently registered.

(d) The provisions of this subsection (3) do not apply to a travel trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer.

(e) The requirements of this subsection (3) apply to collegiate license plates authorized under 61-3-461 through 61-3-468, generic specialty license plates authorized under 61-3-472 through 61-3-481, commemorative centennial license plates authorized under 61-3-448, and special military or veteran license plates authorized under 61-3-458.

(4) (a) All license plates must be metal and treated with a reflectorized background material according to specifications prescribed by the department. The word "Montana" must be placed on each license plate and, except for license plates that are 4 inches wide and 7 inches in length, the outline of the state of Montana must be used as a distinctive border on each standard license plate.

(b) Plates for semitrailers, travel trailers, pole trailers, trailers with a declared weight of 6,000 pounds or more, and motor vehicles, other than motorcycles and quadricycles, must be 6 inches wide and 12 inches in length.

(d) The department shall issue plates that are 4 inches wide and 7 inches in length for trailers with a declared weight of less than 6,000 pounds unless a person registering a trailer with a declared weight of less than 6,000 pounds requests plates that are a plate that is 6 inches wide and 12 inches in length. A person registering a trailer shall pay all applicable fees for the plates plate chosen.

(5) The distinctive registration numbers for standard license plates must begin with a number one or with a letter-number combination, such as "A 1" or "AA 1", or any other similar combination of letters and numbers. Except for special license plates, collegiate license plates, generic specialty license plates, fleet license plates, and standard license plates that are 4 inches wide and 7 inches in length, the distinctive registration number or letter-number combination assigned to the motor vehicle must appear on the plate preceded by the number of the county and appearing in horizontal order on the same horizontal baseline. The county number must be separated from the distinctive registration number by a separation mark unless a letter-number combination is used. The dimensions of the numerals and letters must be determined by the department, and all county and registration numbers must be of equal height.

(6) For the use of exempt motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers and motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers that are exempt from the registration fee as provided in 61-3-321, in addition to the markings provided in this section, standard license plates must bear the following distinctive markings:

(a) For motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers owned by the state, the department may designate the prefix number for the various state departments. All numbered plates issued to state departments must bear the words "State Owned", and a year number may not be indicated on the plates because these numbered plates are of a permanent nature and will be replaced by the department only when the physical condition of numbered plates requires it.

(b) For motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers that are owned by the counties, municipalities, and special districts, as defined in 18-8-202, organized under the laws of Montana and not operating for profit, and that are used and operated by officials and employees in the line of duty and for motor vehicles on loan from the United States government or the state of Montana to, or owned by, the civil air patrol and used and operated by officials and employees in the line of duty, there must be placed on the standard license plates assigned, in a position that the department may designate, the letter "X" or the word "EXEMPT". Distinctive registration numbers for plates assigned to motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers of each of the counties in the state and those of the municipalities and special districts that obtain plates within each county must begin with number one and be numbered consecutively. Because these standard license plates are of a permanent nature, they are subject to replacement by the department only when the physical condition of the license plates requires it and a year number may not be displayed on the plates.

(7) For the purpose of this chapter, the several counties of the state are assigned numbers as follows: Silver Bow, 1; Cascade, 2; Yellowstone, 3; Missoula, 4; Lewis and Clark, 5; Gallatin, 6; Flathead, 7; Fergus, 8; Powder River, 9; Carbon, 10; Phillips, 11; Hill, 12; Ravalli, 13; Custer, 14; Lake, 15; Dawson, 16; Roosevelt, 17; Beaverhead, 18; Chouteau, 19; Valley, 20; Toole, 21; Big Horn, 22; Musselshell, 23; Blaine, 24; Madison, 25; Pondera, 26; Richland, 27; Powell, 28; Rosebud, 29; Deer Lodge, 30; Teton, 31; Stillwater, 32; Treasure, 33; Sheridan, 34; Sanders, 35; Judith Basin, 36; Daniels, 37; Glacier, 38; Fallon, 39; Sweet Grass, 40; McCone, 41; Carter, 42; Broadwater, 43; Wheatland, 44; Prairie, 45; Granite, 46; Meagher, 47; Liberty, 48; Park, 49; Garfield, 50; Jefferson, 51; Wibaux, 52; Golden Valley, 53; Mineral, 54; Petroleum, 55; Lincoln, 56. Any new counties must be assigned numbers by the department as they are formed, beginning with the number 57.

(8) Each type of special license plate approved by the legislature, except collegiate license plates authorized in 61-3-463 and generic specialty license plates authorized in 61-3-472 through 61-3-481, must be a separate series of plates, numbered as provided in subsection (5), except that the county number must be replaced by a design that distinguishes each separate plate series. Unless otherwise specifically stated in this section, the special plates are subject to the same rules and laws as govern the issuance of standard license plates, must be placed or mounted on a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer owned by the person who is eligible to receive them, with the registration decal affixed to the rear license plate of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, and must be removed upon sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer.

(9) (a) A Montana resident who is eligible to receive a disability parking permit under 49-4-301 may and a person with a low-speed restricted driver's license operating a low-speed electric vehicle or golf cart as provided in 61-5-122 must, upon written application on a form prescribed by the department, be issued a disability license plate with a design or decal bearing a representation of a wheelchair as the symbol of a person with a disability.

(b) If the motor vehicle to which the license plate is attached is permanently registered, the owner of the motor vehicle shall provide, upon request of a person authorized to enforce disability parking laws or ordinances in this or any state, evidence of continued eligibility to use the license plate in the form of a valid disability parking permit issued to or renewed by the vehicle owner under 49-4-304 and 49-4-305.

(c) A person with a permanent condition, as provided in 49-4-301(2)(b), who has been issued a disability license plate upon written application, as provided in this subsection (9), is not required to reapply upon reregistration of the motor vehicle.

(10) The provisions of this section do not apply to a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is registered as part of a fleet, as defined in 61-3-712, and that is subject to the provisions of 61-3-711 through 61-3-733."

Section 11. Section 61-3-333, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-333. Replacing license plates or decals. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), if one or both license plates the license plate registered to a motor vehicle, quadricycle, travel trailer, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer or the registration decal for the motor vehicle, quadricycle, travel trailer, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is mutilated or destroyed, the owner of the registered motor vehicle or trailer may obtain a set of replacement license plates, a replacement license plate, or a duplicate registration decal upon filing a sworn declaration stating that fact and payment of a fee of $10 $5.

(2) If the owner requests that the replacement license plate or plates bear the same background and license plate number as the plate or plates that were that was destroyed or mutilated, the duplicate license plate or plates may be issued upon payment of a fee of $15 $10.

(3) The fees imposed in this section must be deposited in the account established in 61-6-158, except that $2 of the fee imposed in subsection (1) must be deposited in the state general fund."

Section 12. Section 61-3-402, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-402. Personalized license plates authorized. A person who is the registered owner of a motor vehicle, truck, motor home, trailer, motorcycle, quadricycle, or other vehicle for the owner's personal use may upon payment of the fee prescribed in 61-3-406 apply to the department for a personalized license plates plate in the manner prescribed in 61-3-405. The plates plate must be affixed to the vehicle for which registration is sought in lieu of the license plates plate numbered as provided in 61-3-332."

Section 13. Section 61-3-403, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-403. Color and design of personalized license plates -- exception. Except as provided in 61-3-407 and 61-3-466, the personalized license plates must be the same color and design as standard license plates and must consist of numbers or letters, or any combination of numbers or letters, not exceeding eight positions and not less than two positions, provided that there are no conflicts with existing standard or special license plate series under this title. A registration decal must be displayed on personalized license plates as provided in 61-3-332."

Section 14. Section 61-3-404, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-404. Personalized license plates restricted to registered owner. Personalized license plates A personalized license plate may be issued only to the registered owner of the motor vehicle upon which they are the plate is displayed."

Section 15. Section 61-3-405, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-405. Application for personalized plates. An applicant for a personalized license plates plate or renewal of such plates the plate in subsequent years pursuant to 61-3-401 through 61-3-406 shall file an application therefor in the form and by the date the department requires, indicating thereon on the application the combination of letters or numbers, or both, requested as a registration number. There shall be no may not be any duplication of registration numbers, and the department may refuse to issue any combination of letters or numbers, or both, that may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency or which that are misleading or a duplication of license plates provided for elsewhere in this title."

Section 16. Section 61-3-407, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-407. Personalized license plates for disabled -- military, veteran, and generic specialty license plates. Subject to the provisions of 61-3-405 and 61-3-406, an application for a standard license plates plate bearing a wheelchair as the symbol of a person with a disability under 61-3-332(9), special military or veteran license plates plate under 61-3-458, or generic specialty license plates plate under 61-3-472 through 61-3-481 may be combined with an application for a personalized plates plate. The application must be made on a form supplied by the department."

Section 17. Section 61-3-411, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-411. Registration of motor vehicle owned and operated solely as collector's item. (1) An owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is more than 30 years old and that is used solely as a collector's item and is not used for general transportation purposes may file with the department an application for the registration of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. The application must state:

(a) the name and address of the owner;

(b) the name and address of the person from whom the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer was purchased;

(c) the make, the gross weight, the year and number of the model, and the manufacturer's identification number and serial number of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer; and

(d) that the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is owned and operated solely as a collector's item and not for general transportation purposes.

(2) Upon receipt of the application for registration and payment of the registration fees, including fees in lieu of tax, the department shall file the application and register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer in the manner specified in 61-3-303 and, unless the applicant chooses to exercise an option allowed in 61-3-412, shall deliver to the applicant:

(a) for a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer manufactured in 1933 or earlier, two license plates a license plate bearing the inscription "Pioneer--Montana" and the registration number; or

(b) for a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer manufactured in 1934 or later and more than 30 years old, two license plates a license plate bearing the inscription "Vintage--Montana" and the registration number.

(3) The year of issuance may not be shown on the plates plate.

(4) Annual renewal of the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registered under this section is not required, and the registration is valid as long as the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is in existence and owned by the initial registrant."

Section 18. Section 61-3-412, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-412. Display of original Montana license plates or collector reproduction license plates on collector's item and general transportation collector's item motor vehicles -- definitions -- validation. (1) As used in 61-3-413 and this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Collector reproduction license plate" means a license that is a reproduction of the original license plate issued according to the provisions of 61-3-331; section 53-116, R.C.M. 1947; section 1759.1, R.C.M. 1935; or section 1759, R.C.M. 1921; whichever section was effective during the year of the manufacture of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer on which the license plate is authorized to be displayed. To qualify as a collector reproduction license plate, the reproduction plate must be made of metal, must be the same size and color as the original license plate, and must have the same design, including any embossed or raised letters or numbers, as the original license plate.

(b) "Original Montana license plate" means a license plate issued according to the provisions of 61-3-331; section 53-116, R.C.M. 1947; section 1759.1, R.C.M. 1935; or section 1759, R.C.M. 1921; whichever section was effective during the year of the manufacture of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer on which the license plate is authorized to be displayed.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of 61-3-332, the department shall authorize the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registered as provided in 61-3-411 or 61-3-413 to display an original Montana license plates plate or collector reproduction license plates plate, with validation as required in 61-3-413 or subsection (4) of this section, after:

(a) payment of the fee required in subsection (6);

(b) inspection by a highway patrol officer of the original Montana license plate or collector reproduction license plate to be displayed on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer and, upon payment of a $5 fee, receipt of the highway patrol officer's certification that the officer has determined that:

(i) the license plate is legible and meets the requirements of subsection (1); and

(ii) in the case of a license plate intended for use on a general transportation collector's item, the license plate is visible at night;

(c) receipt of an application by the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as provided for in 61-3-411 or 61-3-413; and

(d) in the case of a general transportation collector's item application, certification from the department that a duplicate license plate number does not exist among currently issued license plates.

(3) The owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer manufactured in the year 1948, 1949, or 1950 may display a single original Montana license plate that is affixed to the rear of the vehicle. The original Montana license plate must be legible and must bear the year that matches the year in which the vehicle was manufactured.

(4) If the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer meets the requirements of subsection (2), the department shall:

(a) register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as prescribed in 61-3-303; and

(b) issue a validating decal inscribed with:

(i) a unique number; and

(ii) the letter:

(A) "P" to designate motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers described in 61-3-411(2)(a); or

(B) "V" to designate motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers described in 61-3-411(2)(b).

(5) The owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall permanently affix the validating decal to the windshield of the collector's item motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer or, if a windshield does not exist, to another prominent and visible position on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer.

(6) The owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall pay to the department with the application required under this section a one-time special collector's item motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer license fee of $20."

Section 19. Section 61-3-413, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-413. Registration of motor vehicle as general transportation collector's item -- definition -- permanent registration required. (1) For the purposes of 61-3-412 and this section, a "general transportation collector's item" is a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is 25 years old or older and that is used for general transportation purposes.

(2) An owner of a general transportation collector's item who wishes to display an original Montana license plates plate or collector reproduction license plates plate on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall file with the department an application for the registration of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. The application must state:

(a) the name and address of the owner;

(b) the year and number of the license plate the applicant wishes to use; and

(c) the make, the gross weight, the year and number of the model, and the manufacturer's identification number and serial number of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer.

(3) Upon receipt of an application for registration of a general transportation collector's item that will display an original Montana license plate, the department shall compare the number of the license plate that the applicant intends to use with the license plate numbers assigned to currently registered motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers. The department may reject an application if the number the applicant intends to use matches a number that is assigned to a currently registered motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. If the department approves the application, the department shall file the application and register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer in the manner specified in 61-3-101.

(4) Upon receipt of an application for registration of a general transportation collector's item that will display a collector reproduction license plate, the department shall determine a distinctive license plate number to be assigned to the collector reproduction license plate. The department may:

(a) issue a new license plate number following the requirements for issuing distinctive license plate numbers under 61-3-331;

(b) issue a new personalized license plate number under 61-3-401 through 61-3-406; or

(c) at the request of the owner, transfer a license plate number that is already assigned to the general transportation collector's item or another motor vehicle owned by the owner of the general transportation collector's item.

(5) The general transportation collector's item owner may take the license plate number issued pursuant to subsection (4) and purchase a collector reproduction license plate from any source.

(6) The one-time application fee for a collector reproduction license plate under subsection (4) is $50. The fee must be deposited as follows:

(a) $25 must be deposited into the state special revenue account to partially fund highway patrol officers' salaries established in 44-1-504; and

(b) $25 must be deposited into the motor vehicle division administration account established in 61-3-112.

(7) Once an application is approved, appropriate fees are paid, and the requirements provided in 61-3-412(2) are met, an owner of a general transportation collector's item shall permanently register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as provided in 61-3-562 and shall display on the motor vehicle's, trailer's, semitrailer's, or pole trailer's license plate a decal indicating that the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer has been permanently registered."

Section 20. Section 61-3-421, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-421. Amateur radio operators -- special license plate. A resident of this state who holds an unrevoked and unexpired official amateur radio station license and operator's license, "conditional" or higher class, issued by the federal communications commission of the United States, upon proof of ownership of the amateur radio station license and operator's license, may be issued a set of license plates license plate displaying the official amateur radio call letters of the owner as assigned to the owner by the federal communications commission for a light vehicle or motor home owned by and registered to the resident. The plates plate must be renewed as provided in 61-3-312."

Section 21. Section 61-3-422, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-422. Issuance -- application -- additional fee. The department shall issue a license plates plate with the official amateur radio call letters to an amateur radio operator upon:

(1) application showing proof that the applicant is the owner and holder of an amateur radio station license and operator's license;

(2) compliance with the state laws relating to titling and registration of light vehicles and motor homes;

(3) payment, or proof of payment, of all other fees and taxes applicable to the light vehicle or motor home; and

(4) payment of a $5 additional fee."

Section 22.61-3-425 Section 61-3-425, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-425. Special plates -- sale or transfer of auto -- revocation or expiration of radio license. The license plates A license plate issued under 61-3-422 may be renewed as long as the amateur radio license is in force under the federal communications commission and the special license issued hereunder is in force. If the official amateur radio license is revoked or expires for any reason, the license plates plate must be removed immediately by the owner of the light vehicle or motor home, and the owner shall obtain a standard license plates plate numbered as provided in 61-3-332. If the light vehicle or motor home is sold or otherwise transferred, the owner and holder of valid official amateur radio station and operator's licenses may transfer the amateur radio license plates plate to another light vehicle or motor home owned by the holder as provided in 61-3-335. On the revocation or expiration of the amateur radio station and operator's licenses, the license plates plate issued under 61-3-422 must be returned and surrendered to the department."

Section 23. Section 61-3-426, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-426. Combined license plates. (1) An application for a license plates plate for amateur radio operators may be combined with an application for the special license plates plate issued under 61-3-458(4) or with an application for a disability license plates plate issued to a person with a disability who complies with the provisions in 61-3-332(9).

(2) Issuance of combined license plates is subject to 61-3-422.

(3) The combined license plates plate must display the official amateur radio call letters of the owner as assigned to the owner by the federal communications commission. The plates plate must also display the design or decal provided for in 61-3-332(9) or 61-3-458(4)."

Section 24. Section 61-3-446, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-446. Retention of special license plates. If during a registration year the holder of a special license plates plate issued under 61-3-332(8) or a generic specialty license plates plate issued as provided in 61-3-472 through 61-3-481 disposes of the motor vehicle to which the plates are affixed, the holder may retain the plates plate and transfer them it to another vehicle under 61-3-335."

Section 25. Section 61-3-455, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-455. Violation a misdemeanor. A person who violates 61-3-414, 61-3-458, or 61-3-460 or who knowingly and wrongfully attempts to secure a license plates plate under 61-3-332, 61-3-414, 61-3-458, or 61-3-460 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both."

Section 26. Section 61-3-458, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-458. Special plates for military personnel, veterans, spouses, and gold star families. (1) (a) Active military personnel, veterans, or the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran, if the spouse has not remarried, may be issued special military or veteran license plates as provided in this section.

(b) As provided in subsection (3), family members of a member of the U.S. armed forces who are eligible for or who have received:

(i) a "Gold Star Lapel Button" may be issued special gold star family license plates; and

(ii) a "Next-of-Kin of Deceased Personnel Lapel Button" may be issued special next-of-kin license plates.

(c) Subject to the provisions of 61-3-332 and except as otherwise provided in this chapter, special license plates issued pursuant to this section must be numbered in sets of two with a different number on each set and must be properly displayed as provided in 61-3-301. Special military, veteran, gold star family, or next-of-kin license plates may not be issued for a quadricycle, semitrailer, or pole trailer. Special military, veteran, gold star family, or next-of-kin license plates bearing a wheelchair as the symbol of a person with a disability may be issued to a person who meets the qualifications under 61-3-332(9) and this section. Special military or veteran license plates may be issued for a motorcycle pursuant to 61-3-414.

(2) (a) Upon application, after paying all applicable motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registration fees and special license plate fees and providing an official certificate from the applicant's unit commander verifying the individual's eligibility and authorizing the department to issue the plates to the individual, eligible military personnel may be issued one set of a special military license plates plate as provided in this subsection (2).

(b) A member of the Montana national guard who is a state resident may be issued special license plates with a design or decal displaying the letters "NG". However, the member shall surrender the plates to the department when the member becomes ineligible.

(c) A member of the reserve armed forces of the United States who is a state resident may be issued special license plates according to the member's branch of service verified in the application with a design or decal displaying one of the following: United States army reserve, AR (symbol); United States naval reserve, NR (anchor); United States air force reserve, AFR (symbol); or United States marine corps reserve, MCR (globe and anchor). However, the member shall surrender the plates to the department when the member becomes ineligible.

(d) An active member of the regular armed forces of the United States who is a state resident may be issued special license plates inscribed with a symbol signifying the United States army, United States navy, United States air force, United States marine corps, or United States coast guard, according to the member's branch of service verified in the application. However, the member shall surrender the plates to the department upon becoming ineligible.

(3) Upon application, after paying all applicable motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registration fees and special license plate fees and:

(a) providing a department of defense form 3 (DD Form 3) or its successor or documents showing the person's eligibility for a "Gold Star Lapel Button", a family member of a member of the U.S. armed services who is eligible to receive or who has received a "Gold Star Lapel Button" as provided in Public Law 534, 89th congress, may be issued special license plates inscribed with a blue-bordered gold star with the words "Gold Star Family" inscribed beneath the registration number; or

(b) providing a department of defense form 1300 (DD Form 1300) or its successor or documents showing the person's eligibility for a "Next-of-Kin of Deceased Personnel Lapel Button", a family member of a member of the U.S. armed services who is eligible to receive or who has received a "Next-of-Kin of Deceased Personnel Lapel Button" as provided in 32 CFR 578.63 may be issued special next-of-kin license plates inscribed as determined by the department in consultation with the Montana department of military affairs.

(4) (a) Upon application, after presenting proper identification and a department of defense form 214 (DD-214) or its successor or documents showing an other-than-dishonorable discharge or a reenlistment verifying the applicant's eligibility and paying the veterans' cemetery fee specified in 61-3-459 and all applicable motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registration fees under this chapter, subject to the provisions of 61-3-460, an eligible veteran must be issued any set and more than one set of the special license plates provided for in this subsection (4) that the member requests and is eligible to receive.

(b) A veteran may be issued special license plates displaying the letters "DV", which entitles the veteran to the parking privileges allowed to a person with a special parking permit issued under Title 49, chapter 4, part 3, if the veteran:

(i) has been awarded the purple heart and has been rated by the U.S. department of veterans affairs as 50% or more disabled because of a service-connected injury; or

(ii) is currently rated 100% disabled or is paid at the 100% disabled rate by the U.S. department of veterans affairs for a service-connected disability.

(c) A veteran who has been awarded the purple heart may be issued special license plates with the purple heart decal displaying the words "combat wounded".

(d) A veteran who was captured and held prisoner by the military force of a foreign nation may be issued special license plates with a design or decal displaying the words "ex-prisoner of war" or an abbreviation that the department considers appropriate.

(e) If the veteran was a member of the United States armed forces on December 7, 1941, and during the hours of 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. (Hawaii time) was on station at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu or was offshore from Pearl Harbor at a distance of not more than 3 miles, the veteran may be issued special license plates designed to show that the veteran is a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack.

(f) A person who is a member of the legion of valor may be issued special plates displaying a design or decal depicting the recognized legion of valor medallion.

(g) A veteran may be issued special license plates displaying the word "VETERAN" and a symbol signifying the United States army, United States navy, United States air force, United States marine corps, or United States coast guard, according to the veteran's service record verified in the application.

(h) A member or a former member of the Montana national guard eligible to receive a military retirement may be issued special license plates displaying the Montana national guard insignia and the words "National Guard veteran".

(i) A veteran who qualifies under subsections (4)(b) and (4)(c) may be issued a special combination license plates displaying the letters "DV" and displaying a purple heart decal with the words "combat wounded". A person who receives the combination plates is entitled to the same parking privileges as provided in subsection (4)(b).

(5) Upon request, after paying the veterans' cemetery fee provided in 61-3-459 and all applicable vehicle registration fees under this chapter, subject to the provisions of 61-3-460, the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran, if the spouse has not remarried, may retain the special license plates issued to the deceased veteran, except the special "DV" plates provided for under subsection (4)(b) or the combination plates provided for in subsection (4)(i).

(6) For purposes of this section, "veteran" has the meaning provided in 10-2-101."

Section 27. Section 61-3-459, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-459. Veterans' cemetery fee for special veteran license plates -- disposition. (1) Except as provided in 61-3-460, an applicant for a special veteran license plates plate provided for under 61-3-458(4) shall pay $10 for each set plate issued, renewed, or transferred, in addition to any other taxes or fees applicable under this chapter.

(2) Fees collected under this section must be deposited in the state general fund and transferred as provided in 15-1-122 to the special revenue account for state veterans' cemeteries established in 10-2-603."

Section 28. Section 61-3-460, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-460. Motor vehicle registration fee and veterans' cemetery fee waivers. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person eligible under subsection (2) is exempt from the veterans' cemetery fee provided in 61-3-459 for two sets of special veteran license plates and all motor vehicle registration fees imposed by this chapter for two motor vehicles that are not used for commercial purposes.

(2) The following persons are eligible for the waiver provided in subsection (1):

(a) a veteran who was a prisoner of war who presents official documentation from the U.S. department of defense verifying the veteran's status, or the veteran's surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried;

(b) a veteran who is currently rated 100% disabled or is paid at the 100% disabled rate by the U.S. department of veterans affairs for a service-connected disability, as verified by official documentation from the U.S. department of veterans affairs, or the veteran's surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried;

(c) a veteran determined by the U.S. department of veterans affairs to be 50% or more disabled because of a service-connected injury and who has been awarded the purple heart, as verified by official documentation from the U.S. department of veterans affairs and the veteran's military service record issued by the U.S. department of defense, or the veteran's surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried, except that the veteran or the surviving spouse shall pay the veterans' cemetery fee as provided for in 61-3-459;

(d) the surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried, of a military service member killed while on active duty as verified in official documentation issued by the U.S. department of defense; and

(e) the surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried, of a military service member or veteran who died of a service-connected injury or disability as determined by and verified in official documentation from the U.S. department of veterans affairs.

(3) A veteran who meets the eligibility criteria in subsections (2)(a) through (2)(c) may apply the fee waiver provided in subsection (1) to any of the special license plates provided for in 61-3-458(4) as long as the veteran also meets the eligibility criteria for the specific special license plate the veteran requests."

Section 29. Section 61-3-464, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-464. Application for collegiate license plates. An applicant for a collegiate license plates plate or renewal of a collegiate license plates plate pursuant to 61-3-465 shall apply in the form and by the date the department requires. An application for a collegiate license plate may be combined with an application for a license plate bearing a wheelchair as the symbol of a person with a disability if the applicant meets the qualifications under 61-3-332(9)."

Section 30. Section 61-3-465, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-465. Issuance -- application -- additional fee -- disposition. (1) The department shall issue or renew a collegiate license plates plate upon receipt of an application that shows:

(a) compliance with 61-3-303, 61-3-311, and 61-3-312; and

(b) payment to the county treasurer or an authorized agent of:

(i) an initial application and manufacturing fee of $10, when required; and

(ii) an annual scholarship donation of $30 for the benefit of the institution named in the application.

(2) Once each month, the county treasurer shall, as provided in 15-1-504, transfer to the state the total of the amounts collected for:

(a) the initial application and manufacturing fee for deposit in the state general fund; and

(b) scholarship donations provided for in subsection (1)(b)(ii), along with a schedule showing the number of collegiate license plates issued and the total donations received for the benefit of each institution.

(3) Once each month, an amount equal to the total donations credited to that institution and transferred to the state by the county treasurers during the preceding month must be distributed to the student academic scholarship fund or foundation of each institution.

(4) The amount of $8 of the fee imposed in subsection (1)(b)(i) must be deposited in the account established in 61-6-158, and $2 of the fee must be deposited in the state general fund."

Section 31. Section 61-3-466, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-466. Personalized collegiate license plates. (1) Subject to the provisions of 61-3-405 and 61-3-406, an application for a collegiate license plates plate may be combined with an application for a personalized plates plate.

(2) An application for a personalized collegiate license plates plate must be made on a form supplied by the department.

(3) Personalized collegiate license plates must bear the distinctive color and insignia as provided in 61-3-463."

Section 32. Section 61-3-474, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-474. Responsibility for design of generic specialty license plates -- numbering -- approval -- registration decal -- listing of plate sponsors. (1) The department shall:

(a) design the background and general format of generic specialty license plates, including ensuring the readability of a generic specialty license plate design;

(b) in consultation with the department of corrections, determine which license plate processing system is the most efficient and versatile manufacturing method for the production of generic specialty license plates; and

(c) use a numbering system for generic specialty license plates that is distinctive from the numbering system required under 61-3-332 or used for collegiate license plates.

(2) All sponsor names, identifying phrases, and graphics intended for use on generic specialty license plates must be approved by the department prior to the manufacture of the plates.

(3) Upon the issuance of a generic specialty license plates plate, a registration decal must be affixed to the license plates plate as provided in 61-3-332.

(4) The department shall maintain a list of the sponsors that have been approved to promote the sale and issuance of generic specialty license plates, the initial distribution date for sale of each sponsored generic specialty license plate, and the donation fee established by the sponsor for each sponsored generic specialty license plate. The department shall, upon request, make copies of this list available to interested members of the public.

(5) The department shall revoke its previous approval of a sponsor's generic specialty license plate sponsorship if:

(a) the sponsor fails to comply with the provisions of 61-3-472 through 61-3-481;

(b) within 3 years of the date of the initial distribution of the sponsored generic specialty license plate, fewer than 400 sets of a sponsor's generic specialty license plate have been sold or renewed;

(c) any time after 3 years following the date of the initial distribution of the sponsored generic specialty license plate, there are fewer than 400 sets of the sponsored generic specialty license plate with a current registration; or

(d) the department has reliable information that the sponsor is no longer qualified for sponsorship under 61-3-472 through 61-3-481.

(6) (a) Upon revocation of a sponsor's generic specialty license plate sponsorship status, the issuance and sale of the sponsor's generic specialty license plates must be terminated.

(b) A person who owns a motor vehicle displaying valid generic specialty license plates affiliated with a sponsor whose sponsorship status has been revoked may continue to display those generic specialty license plates on the person's motor vehicle until the motor vehicle's registration is renewed.

(c) Following revocation of a sponsor's sponsorship status, the department may not issue replacements or duplicates of generic specialty license plates affiliated with that sponsor."

Section 33. Section 61-3-479, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-479. Issuance of generic specialty license plates -- qualifications. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), the department shall issue a set of generic specialty license plates plate to a person who applies for a particular style of generic specialty license plates plate and pays the donation fee established by the plate sponsor and the administrative fee required in 61-3-480.

(b) If the sponsor of a generic specialty license plate is not listed on the county collection report published by the state and required under 15-1-504 as of the initial distribution date for the sale of the sponsor's plates, the department shall require the sponsor to collect the initial donation fee from, and issue a special certificate of registration to, a person who is eligible to receive the sponsor's generic specialty license plates plate. The person shall present the special certificate of registration upon application for the generic specialty license plates plate.

(2) A set of generic specialty license plates plate may be issued for any motor vehicle except a motorcycle or a quadricycle.

(3) (a) Except as provided in 61-3-472 through 61-3-481 and 61-3-562, a person who receives a generic specialty license plates plate is subject to the same rules and laws as those that govern standard license plates.

(b) Except as provided in 61-3-472 through 61-3-481 and 61-3-562, the department is subject to the same rules and laws that govern the issuance of standard license plates.

(c) Generic specialty license plates issued under 61-3-472 through 61-3-481 are not subject to any maximum issuance or use limitation that may be imposed on standard license plates.

(4) A person may combine an application for a generic specialty license plate with an application for a license plate with a design bearing a representation of a wheelchair as the symbol of a person with a disability as provided in 61-3-332(9)."

Section 34. Section 61-3-481, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-481. Generic specialty license plates -- restrictions on use. (1) Generic A generic specialty license plates plate may be issued by the department in conjunction with the registration of any motor vehicle except a motorcycle or a quadricycle. The department may not issue a generic specialty license plates plate without the motor vehicle having been registered.

(2) Generic A generic specialty license plates plate may be used only as the official license plates plate for a motor vehicle."

Section 35. Section 61-3-562, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-3-562. Permanent registration -- transfer of light vehicle ownership -- rules. (1) (a) The owner of a light vehicle 11 years old or older subject to the registration fee, as provided in 61-3-321(2), may permanently register the light vehicle upon payment of a $87.50 registration fee, the applicable registration and license fees under 61-3-412, if applicable, the administrative fee and the annual one-time-only donation fee for a generic specialty license plate under 61-3-480 or collegiate license plates plate under 61-3-465, and an amount equal to five times the local option motor vehicle tax or flat fee on vehicles under 61-3-537 and, as applicable, either:

(i) (A) the original fee and four times the renewal fee for personalized plates; or

(B) five times the renewal fees for personalized plates; or

(ii) if a new set of license plates license plate is not being issued, an insurance verification fee of $5, which must be deposited in the account established under 61-6-158.

(b) The following series of license plates may not be used for purposes of permanent registration of a light vehicle:

(i) Montana national guard license plates issued under 61-3-458(2)(b);

(ii) reserve armed forces license plates issued under 61-3-458(2)(c); and

(iii) amateur radio operator license plates issued under 61-3-422.

(2) In addition to the fees described in subsection (1), an owner of a truck with a manufacturer's rated capacity of 1 ton or less that is permanently registered shall pay five times the applicable fees imposed under 61-10-201.

(3) The owner of a motor vehicle that is permanently registered under this section is not subject to additional registration fees or to other motor vehicle registration fees described in this section for as long as the owner owns the vehicle.

(4) The county treasurer shall once each month remit to the state the amounts collected under this section, other than the local option motor vehicle tax or flat fee, for the purposes of 61-3-321(2) and 61-10-201. The county treasurer shall retain the local option motor vehicle tax or flat fee.

(5) (a) The permanent registration of a light vehicle allowed by this section may not be transferred to a new owner. If the light vehicle is transferred to a new owner, the department shall cancel the light vehicle's permanent registration.

(b) Upon transfer of a light vehicle registered under this section to a new owner, the new owner shall apply for a certificate of title under 61-3-201 and 61-3-216 and register the light vehicle under 61-3-303."

Section 36. Section 61-4-130, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-4-130. Courtesy license plates -- issuance -- restrictions on use. (1) Upon application and payment of an annual fee of $150 a set, the department may issue up to two sets of courtesy plates to a dealer.

(2) Courtesy license plates may be displayed only on a motor vehicle that the dealer loans, without charge or fee, exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, or educational purposes. A loan of a vehicle displaying a courtesy license plates plate may not exceed 30 days in a year.

(3) A dealer shall maintain records detailing to whom a vehicle bearing a courtesy plates plate has been loaned, the date of the loan, the date on which the vehicle bearing a courtesy plates plate is to be returned, and the actual date of the vehicle's return. These records must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person or entity to whom the vehicle has been loaned and the name of a contact person who will oversee the actual operation and use of the vehicle. The records are subject to audit by the department.

(4) It is the dealer's responsibility to ensure that courtesy plates are not used by an eligible person or entity for more than 30 days in a year.

(5) It is the responsibility of the person or entity to whom the vehicle bearing a courtesy plates plate was loaned to carry, while operating or in actual physical control of the vehicle, adequate proof of the status of the person or entity under this section.

(6) If a dealer allows a person or entity to operate or retain actual physical control of a vehicle bearing a courtesy plates plate in violation of this section, the department may suspend the right to use the courtesy plates for a period not to exceed 6 months."

Section 37. Section 61-4-221, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-4-221. Manufacturer's representative's license plates. (1) As used in 61-4-221 through 61-4-223, "manufacturer's representative" means a resident of Montana who is an employee of a motor vehicle manufacturer licensed under the provisions of 61-4-202 and whose responsibility includes coordinating and promoting sales efforts with the manufacturer's dealers.

(2) Subject to the provisions of 61-4-221 through 61-4-223 and notwithstanding the provisions of Title 61, chapter 3, a manufacturer's representative who qualifies as provided in subsection (1) may display a manufacturer's license plates plate on a motor vehicle used solely for business purposes.

(3) To qualify for the issuance and use of manufacturer's license plates by its manufacturer's representatives, the manufacturer licensed under 61-4-202 shall apply on forms and in a manner prescribed by the department and pay the fees provided for in 61-4-222."

Section 38. Section 61-4-222, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-4-222. Fees. (1) Upon making the application required under 61-4-221, the manufacturer shall pay to the department a fee of $250, which entitles the manufacturer to one set of license plates a license plate, and an additional fee of $20 $10 for each additional set of license plates license plate. The manufacturer may receive one set of license plates plate for each manufacturer's representative.

(2) The fees provided for in subsection (1) do not apply to the manufacturer of a personal watercraft as defined in 23-2-502, a snowmobile as defined in 23-2-601, or an off-highway vehicle as defined in 23-2-801."

Section 39. Section 61-4-223, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-4-223. Assignment of numbers. (1) Upon the licensing of a manufacturer under 61-4-202, the department shall assign to the manufacturer a distinctive serial number and, after payment of fees provided for in 61-4-222, furnish every qualified manufacturer's representative of that manufacturer with one set of license plates plate. Assigned license plates must be similar to standard license plates furnished to owners of motor vehicles but must bear, in addition to the serial number assigned to the manufacturer, the letters "MFG".

(2) The department shall cause to be placed on each set of license plates plate issued to a manufacturer a serial number assigned to the manufacturer and the actual number of license plates issued to the manufacturer. The department shall provide registration decals bearing the appropriate county designation. The registration decals must be affixed to the license plates in use in accordance with instructions by the department.

(3) A manufacturer's representative who qualifies as provided in 61-4-221(1) may display a manufacturer's license plates plate on a motor vehicle held for bona fide sale or used solely in the conduct of the manufacturer's business and operated by or under the control of the manufacturer's representative.

(4) When the department has reasonable cause to believe, from an investigation made by it or information furnished to it by a sheriff or any other law enforcement officer, that a manufacturer has been improperly licensed, has used the manufacturer's license other than as authorized in this section, or is not qualified as a manufacturer under the requirements of this part, the department may revoke the manufacturer's license."

Section 40. Section 61-4-225, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-4-225. Loaner license plates -- issuance -- restrictions on use. (1) On application and payment of an annual fee of $25 $15 for a set plate, the department may issue a loaner plates plate to a new motor vehicle dealer as defined in 61-4-201.

(2) Loaner license plates A loaner license plate may be displayed only on a new motor vehicle:

(a) that remains on a manufacturer's statement of origin;

(b) that is in the inventory of the dealer and held primarily for resale; and

(3) A dealer shall maintain records detailing to whom a vehicle bearing loaner plates plate has been loaned, the date of the loan, the date on which the vehicle bearing loaner plates plate is to be returned, and the actual date of the vehicle's return. These records must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person or entity to whom the vehicle has been loaned and the name of a contact person who will oversee the actual operation and use of the vehicle. The records are subject to audit by the department.

(4) It is the responsibility of the person or entity to whom the vehicle bearing a loaner plates plate was loaned to carry, while operating or in actual physical control of the vehicle, written proof that the person or entity is authorized to operate or be in actual physical control of the vehicle.

(5) If a dealer allows a person or entity to operate or retain actual physical control of a vehicle bearing a loaner plates plate in violation of this section, the department may suspend the dealer's right to use the loaner plates plate for a period not to exceed 6 months."

Section 41. Section 61-6-105, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-6-105. Department to administer law and make rules. (1) The department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this part and may make rules necessary for the administration of the system.

(2) The rules must:

(a) establish standards and procedures for accessing the system by authorized personnel of the department, the courts, law enforcement personnel, and any other entities authorized by the department that are consistent with specifications and standards of the insurance industry committee on motor vehicle administration and other applicable industry standards;

(b) determine a schedule for the implementation of the system, subject to the testing requirements in 61-6-157;

(i) a person fails to respond to a written inquiry from the department or its designee concerning the insurance status of a vehicle;

(ii) a person misrepresents or provides false information to the department or its designee regarding the operational status or use of a vehicle for which liability insurance is mandatory;

(iii) the department has reason to believe that a vehicle owner is not complying with the mandatory liability insurance requirements of 61-6-301; or

(iv) the department receives a report from a court that a person has been convicted of a violation of 61-6-301 or 61-6-302 and the surrender of the vehicle registration receipt and license plates plate under 61-6-304 has been ordered;

(d) prohibit the reinstatement of a vehicle's registration and the new registration of a vehicle unless the applicable reinstatement fees have been paid;

(e) set a fee for the reinstatement of a vehicle's registration following a suspension imposed by the department. The fee may not exceed $100 and is in addition to any other fine or penalty prescribed by the law.

(f) provide for periodic insurance data file transfers from insurers under specifications and standards set forth in 61-6-157 to identify vehicles that are not covered by an insurance policy and to monitor ongoing compliance with mandatory vehicle liability insurance requirements;

(g) provide for random checks to identify vehicles that are not covered by an insurance policy or specific checks to determine whether a vehicle that has previously been shown as uninsured is now insured; and

(h) provide for a hearing for a person aggrieved by a suspension order issued by the department under the provisions of this part.

(3) The department may adopt additional rules to:

(a) assist authorized users in interpreting responses received from the system and determining the appropriate action to be taken as a result of a response; and

(b) otherwise clarify system operations and business rules."

Section 42. Section 61-14-101, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-14-101. Rulemaking authority -- vehicle services. (1) The department shall adopt rules for the registration of motor vehicles, including:

(a) (i) simultaneous registration of multiple motor vehicles that have common ownership;

(ii) defining the term "fleet" as used in 61-3-318 and 61-3-323; and

(iii) the issuance of fleet series license plates provided for in 61-3-325;

(b) verification of compliance with 61-6-301 before registering or renewing a registration of a vehicle or issuing a new license plates plate required by 61-3-332(3);

(d) early registration renewals when an owner of a motor vehicle presents extenuating circumstances; and

(e) automated mailing of license plates by the department or its authorized agent, including an agent under contract with the department pursuant to 61-3-338.

(2) The department shall adopt rules to procure compliance with all of the laws of the state regulating the issuance of motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer licenses relating to the use and operation of motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers before issuing the lettered license plates pursuant to 61-3-423 license plates.

(3) The department may adopt rules to establish vehicle brands or carried-forward brands according to 61-3-202.

(4) The department may adopt rules governing affidavit and bond for certificate of title pursuant to 61-3-208.

(5) The department may adopt rules for the implementation and administration of temporary registration permits, pursuant to 61-3-224, including issuance to:

(a) a Montana resident who acquires a new or used motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, sailboat that is 12 feet or longer, snowmobile, or off-highway vehicle for operation of the vehicle or vessel prior to titling and registration of the vehicle or vessel under Title 61, chapter 3;

(b) the owner of a salvage vehicle or a vehicle requiring a state-assigned vehicle identification number to move the vehicle to and from a designated inspection site prior to applying for a new certificate of title under 61-3-107 or 61-3-212;

(c) the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registered in this state for operation of the vehicle while awaiting production and receipt of a special or duplicate license plates plate ordered for a vehicle under Title 61, chapter 3;

(d) a nonresident of this state who acquires a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer in this state for operation of the vehicle prior to its titling and registration under the laws of the nonresident's jurisdiction of residence;

(e) a dealer licensed in another state who brings a motor vehicle or trailer designed and used to apply fertilizer to agricultural lands into the state for special demonstration in this state;

(f) a financial institution located in Montana for a prospective purchaser to demonstrate a motor vehicle that the financial institution has obtained following repossession;

(g) an insurer or its agent to move a motor vehicle or trailer to auction following acquisition of the vehicle by the insurer as a result of the settlement of an insurance claim;

(h) a nonresident owner to temporarily operate a quadricycle or motorcycle designed for off-road recreational use on the highways of this state when the quadricycle or motorcycle designed for off-road recreational use is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in Title 61, chapter 9, but the quadricycle or motorcycle designated for off-road recreational use is not registered or is only registered for off-road use in the nonresident's home state; or

(i) a new owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, sailboat that is 12 feet in length or longer, snowmobile, or off-highway vehicle for which the new owner cannot, due to circumstances beyond the new owner's control, surrender a previously assigned certification of title.

(6) The department may adopt rules for the assessment and collection of registration fees on light vehicles under 61-3-321 and 61-3-562, including the proration of fees under 61-3-520 and criteria for determining the motor vehicle's age.

(7) The department may adopt rules for imposing and collecting fees in lieu of tax, including:

(a) the proration of fees in lieu of tax under 61-3-520 on buses, trucks having a manufacturer's rated capacity of more than 1 ton, and truck tractors;

(b) criteria for determining the motor vehicle's age; and

(8) The department may adopt rules, pursuant to Title 61, chapter 3, for the administration of fees for trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers, including criteria for determining a trailer's age and weight.

(9) The department shall adopt rules for generic specialty license plates issued pursuant to 61-3-472 through 61-3-481, including:

(a) the minimum and maximum number of characters that a generic specialty license plate may display;

(b) the general placement of the sponsor's name, identifying phrase, and graphic; and

(10) The department may adopt rules governing dealers pursuant to the provisions of Title 61, chapter 4, including:

(a) the application and issuance of dealer licenses, including the qualifications of dealers, and the staggering of expiration dates pursuant to 61-4-101;

(b) the issuance of dealer, demonstrator, loaner, courtesy, and transit plates pursuant to 61-4-102, 61-4-128 through 61-4-130, 61-4-301, 61-4-307, and 61-4-308;

(d) governing the regulation of persons required to be licensed pursuant to Title 61, chapter 4, part 2.

(11) The department may adopt rules for local option tax appeals pursuant to 15-15-201.

(12) The department may adopt rules to implement any other provision of this title."

NEW SECTION. Section 43. Repealer. The following section of the Montana Code Annotated is repealed:

61-3-423. Limit of one identical pair of plates for each operator.