REQUIRES TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE (§ 1)
S.B. 148
- *SB148*
SENATE BILL NO. 148–SENATOR STONE
PREFILED JANUARY 30, 2025
____________
Referred to Committee on Growth and Infrastructure
SUMMARY—Provides for the issuance of special license plates
indicating service on a military unit that was
awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
(BDR 43-545)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State: Yes.
~
EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; requiring the Department of
Motor Vehicles to design, prepare and issue special
license plates honoring veterans of the Armed Forces of
the United States who have served on a unit that was
awarded the Presidential Unit Citation; exempting the
special license plates from certain provisions otherwise
applicable to special license plates; establishing the
applicability of certain parking privileges for a vehicle
displaying the special license plates that bear the
international symbol of access; and providing other
matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Existing law entitles veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who 1
have received certain awards, honors or designations to be issued license plates 2
specially designed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (NRS 482.3765, 482.377, 3
482.3775, 482.3783) Section 1 of this bill entitles a veteran of the Armed Forces 4
who has served on a unit that was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to apply 5
for and receive special license plates indicating that the veteran served on such a 6
unit. Section 1 requires the Department, with certain exceptions, to create, for each 7
branch of the Armed Forces, a unique license plate design for the special license 8
plates based on the design of the service ribbon representing the Presidential Unit 9
Citation within each branch. Section 1 provides that a qualified veteran may: (1) 10
apply for not more than two sets of special license plates; (2) use such license plates 11
only on private passenger vehicles, noncommercial trucks or motor homes; and (3) 12
combine the special license plates with personalized prestige license plates upon the 13
payment of the applicable fees. Section 1 provides that, unless the special license 14
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plates are lost, stolen or mutilated, in which case a fee to defray the cost of 15
producing the license plate applies, no fee in addition to the ordinarily applicable 16
registration and license fees and governmental services taxes may be charged for 17
the issuance or renewal of a set of the special license plates. Section 1 further 18
provides that: (1) a veteran who is eligible for such special license plates and who, 19
as a result of his or her service, has suffered a qualifying service-connected 20
disability and receives compensation from the United States for the disability, may 21
have the international symbol of access inscribed on his or her special license plate; 22
and (2) a vehicle on which such special license plates bearing the international 23
symbol of access are displayed is exempt from the payment of parking fees, 24
including, without limitation, those collected through parking meters, charged by 25
the State or any political subdivision or other public body within the State, except 26
those parking fees charged by the Federal Government. Sections 11 and 12 of this 27
bill make conforming changes to authorize a vehicle displaying the special license 28
plates that bear the international symbol of access to park in certain designated 29
parking spots for persons who are handicapped and to remain parked for up to 4 30
hours in certain other, time-limited, public parking spots in the same manner as 31
vehicles displaying other license plates that bear the international symbol of access. 32
(NRS 484B.463, 484B.467) 33
Section 2 of this bill prohibits a new vehicle dealer who is authorized to issue 34
certificates of registration for any new motor vehicle he or she sells from accepting 35
an application for the registration of a motor vehicle if the applicant wishes to 36
obtain the special plates indicating service on a unit which received the Presidential 37
Unit Citation. Section 3 of this bill prohibits the Department from issuing 38
redesigned license plates to the holder of a set of special license plates indicating 39
service on a unit which received the Presidential Unit Citation without the approval 40
of the holder. Section 4 of this bill authorizes the Director of the Department to 41
order the preparation of sample license plates bearing the same design as the special 42
license plates indicating service on a unit which received the Presidential Unit 43
Citation. Section 5 of this bill prohibits the Department from issuing special plates 44
indicating service on a unit which received the Presidential Unit Citation for a full 45
trailer or semitrailer, other than a recreational vehicle and travel trailer. 46
Under existing law, certain special license plates: (1) must be approved by the 47
Department; (2) are subject to a limitation on the number of separate designs of 48
special license plates which the Department may issue at any one time; and (3) may 49
not be designed, prepared or issued by the Department unless a certain minimum 50
number of applications for the plates are received. (NRS 482.367002, 482.367008, 51
482.36705) Sections 6-8 of this bill exempt the special plates indicating service on 52
a unit which received the Presidential Unit Citation from these provisions. 53
Section 9 of this bill exempts the special license plates indicating service on a 54
unit which received the Presidential Unit Citation from the definition of “special 55
license plate” applicable to provisions governing investigations relating to the 56
finances of charitable organizations that receive additional fees from special license 57
plates. (NRS 482.38272-482.38279) Section 10 of this bill makes a conforming 58
change to authorize the holder of the original registration of any vehicle to transfer 59
the registration and use of the special license plates indicating service on a unit 60
which received the Presidential Unit Citation to another vehicle under certain 61
circumstances. 62
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THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 482 of NRS is hereby amended by adding 1
thereto a new section to read as follows: 2
1. A veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who 3
was assigned to a unit that was awarded the Presidential Unit 4
Citation at the time of the action for which the Presidential Unit 5
Citation was awarded is entitled to specially designed license 6
plates which indicate that the veteran has served on a unit that 7
was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. 8
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the 9
Department shall design, prepare and issue such license plates 10
using any colors and designs which the Department deems 11
appropriate. The Department shall create a unique license plate 12
design for each branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, 13
which must be based on the design of the service ribbon 14
representing the Presidential Unit Citation within that branch, 15
except that the Department may utilize the same design for 16
branches of the Armed Forces of the United States which award 17
service ribbons of the same design. 18
3. A person who qualifies for special license plates pursuant 19
to this section, has suffered a qualifying service-connected 20
disability as a result of his or her service in the Armed Forces of 21
the United States and receives compensation from the United 22
States for the disability is entitled to have his or her special license 23
plates issued pursuant to this section inscribed with the 24
international symbol of access, which must comply with the 25
applicable federal standards and must be white on a blue 26
background. 27
4. Each person who qualifies for special license plates 28
pursuant to this section may apply for not more than two sets of 29
plates. If the person applies for a second set of plates for an 30
additional vehicle, the second set of plates must have a different 31
number than the first set of plates issued to the same applicant. 32
Special license plates issued pursuant to this section may only be 33
used on a private passenger vehicle, a noncommercial truck or a 34
motor home. 35
5. The Department shall issue specially designed license 36
plates for any person qualified pursuant to this section who 37
submits: 38
(a) An application on a form prescribed by the Department; 39
(b) Documentation which, in the determination of the 40
Department, demonstrates that the applicant: 41
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(1) Served on a military unit that was awarded the 1
Presidential Unit Citation; and 2
(2) Was assigned to the unit at the time of the action for 3
which the Presidential Unit Citation was awarded; and 4
(c) If applicable, and subject to the provisions of NRS 5
417.0187, evidence of his or her disability as required by the 6
Department. 7
6. A vehicle on which special license plates issued by the 8
Department pursuant to subsection 3 are displayed is exempt from 9
the payment of any parking fees, including, without limitation, 10
those collected through parking meters, charged by the State or 11
any political subdivision or other public body within this State, 12
other than the United States. 13
7. If, during a registration year, the holder of a set of special 14
license plates issued pursuant to the provisions of this section 15
disposes of the vehicle to which the plates are affixed, the holder 16
shall: 17
(a) Retain the plates and affix them to another vehicle which 18
meets the requirements of this section and report the change to the 19
Department in accordance with the procedure set forth for other 20
transfers; or 21
(b) Within 30 days after removing the plates from the vehicle, 22
return them to the Department. 23
8. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no fee in 24
addition to the applicable registration and license fees and 25
governmental services taxes may be charged for the issuance or 26
renewal of a set of special license plates pursuant to this section. If 27
the special license plates issued pursuant to this section are lost, 28
stolen or mutilated, the owner of the vehicle may secure a set of 29
duplicate number of plates from the Department for the fees 30
required pursuant to NRS 482.268. 31
9. A person who qualifies for special license plates pursuant 32
to this section may request that the personalized prestige license 33
plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667 be combined with license 34
plates that indicate that the person has served on a unit of the 35
Armed Forces of the United States which has been awarded the 36
Presidential Unit Citation if the person pays the fees prescribed by 37
NRS 482.367 for the personalized prestige license plates. 38
10. The provisions of NRS 482.36705 do not apply to license 39
plates described in this section. 40
Sec. 2. NRS 482.216 is hereby amended to read as follows: 41
482.216 1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 482.2155, 42
upon the request of a new vehicle dealer, the Department may 43
authorize the new vehicle dealer to: 44
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(a) Accept applications for the registration of the new motor 1
vehicles he or she sells and the related fees and taxes; 2
(b) Issue certificates of registration to applicants who satisfy the 3
requirements of this chapter; and 4
(c) Accept applications for the transfer of registration pursuant 5
to NRS 482.399 if the applicant purchased from the new vehicle 6
dealer a new vehicle to which the registration is to be transferred. 7
2. A new vehicle dealer who is authorized to issue certificates 8
of registration pursuant to subsection 1 shall: 9
(a) Transmit the applications received to the Department within 10
the period prescribed by the Department; 11
(b) Transmit the fees collected from the applicants and properly 12
account for them within the period prescribed by the Department; 13
(c) Comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 14
5; and 15
(d) Bear any cost of equipment which is necessary to issue 16
certificates of registration, including any computer hardware or 17
software. 18
3. A new vehicle dealer who is authorized to issue certificates 19
of registration pursuant to subsection 1 shall not: 20
(a) Charge any additional fee for the performance of those 21
services; 22
(b) Receive compensation from the Department for the 23
performance of those services; 24
(c) Accept applications for the renewal of registration of a motor 25
vehicle; or 26
(d) Accept an application for the registration of a motor vehicle 27
if the applicant wishes to: 28
(1) Obtain special license plates pursuant to NRS 482.3667 29
to 482.3823, inclusive [;] , and section 1 of this act; or 30
(2) Claim the exemption from the governmental services tax 31
provided pursuant to NRS 361.1565 to veterans and their relations. 32
4. The provisions of this section do not apply to the registration 33
of a moped pursuant to NRS 482.2155. 34
5. The Director shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to 35
carry out the provisions of this section. The regulations adopted 36
pursuant to this subsection must provide for: 37
(a) The expedient and secure issuance of license plates and 38
decals by the Department; and 39
(b) The withdrawal of the authority granted to a new vehicle 40
dealer pursuant to subsection 1 if that dealer fails to comply with the 41
regulations adopted by the Department. 42
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Sec. 3. NRS 482.270 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1
482.270 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section or by 2
specific statute, the Director shall order the redesign and preparation 3
of motor vehicle license plates. 4
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the 5
Department may, upon the payment of all applicable fees, issue 6
redesigned motor vehicle license plates. 7
3. The Department shall not issue redesigned motor vehicle 8
license plates pursuant to this section to a person who was issued 9
motor vehicle license plates before January 1, 1982, or pursuant to 10
NRS 482.2155, 482.3747, 482.3763, 482.3783, 482.379 or 11
482.37901, or section 1 of this act without the approval of the 12
person. 13
4. The Director may determine and vary the size, shape and 14
form and the material of which license plates are made, but each 15
license plate must be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a 16
distance of 100 feet during daylight. All license plates must be 17
treated to reflect light and to be at least 100 times brighter than 18
conventional painted number plates. When properly mounted on an 19
unlighted vehicle, the license plates, when viewed from a vehicle 20
equipped with standard headlights, must be visible for a distance of 21
not less than 1,500 feet and readable for a distance of not less than 22
110 feet. 23
5. Every license plate must have displayed upon it: 24
(a) The registration number, or combination of letters and 25
numbers, assigned to the vehicle and to the owner thereof; 26
(b) The name of this State, which may be abbreviated; 27
(c) If issued for a calendar year, the year; and 28
(d) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 482.2085, if issued for 29
a registration period other than a calendar year, the month and year 30
the registration expires. 31
Sec. 4. NRS 482.2703 is hereby amended to read as follows: 32
482.2703 1. The Director may order the preparation of 33
sample license plates which must be of the same design and size as 34
regular license plates or license plates issued pursuant to NRS 35
482.384. The Director shall ensure that: 36
(a) Each license plate issued pursuant to this subsection, 37
regardless of its design, is inscribed with the word SAMPLE and an 38
identical designation which consists of the same group of three 39
numerals followed by the same group of three letters; and 40
(b) The designation of numerals and letters assigned pursuant to 41
paragraph (a) is not assigned to a vehicle registered pursuant to this 42
chapter or chapter 706 of NRS. 43
2. The Director may order the preparation of sample license 44
plates which must be of the same design and size as any of the 45
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special license plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667 to 482.3823, 1
inclusive [.] , and section 1 of this act. The Director shall ensure 2
that: 3
(a) Each license plate issued pursuant to this subsection, 4
regardless of its design, is inscribed with the word SAMPLE and the 5
number zero in the location where any other numerals would 6
normally be displayed on a license plate of that design; and 7
(b) The number assigned pursuant to paragraph (a) is not 8
assigned to a vehicle registered pursuant to this chapter or chapter 9
706 of NRS. 10
3. The Director may establish a fee for the issuance of sample 11
license plates of not more than $15 for each license plate. 12
4. A decal issued pursuant to NRS 482.271 may be displayed 13
on a sample license plate issued pursuant to this section. 14
5. All money collected from the issuance of sample license 15
plates must be deposited in the State Treasury for credit to the 16
Motor Vehicle Fund. 17
6. A person shall not affix a sample license plate issued 18
pursuant to this section to a vehicle. A person who violates the 19
provisions of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor. 20
Sec. 5. NRS 482.274 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21
482.274 1. The Director shall order the preparation of vehicle 22
license plates for trailers in the same manner provided for motor 23
vehicles in NRS 482.270, except that a vehicle license plate 24
prepared for a full trailer or semitrailer that is registered pursuant to 25
subsection 3 of NRS 482.483 is not required to have displayed upon 26
it the month and year the registration expires. 27
2. The Director shall order preparation of two sizes of vehicle 28
license plates for trailers. The smaller plates may be used for trailers 29
with a gross vehicle weight of less than 1,000 pounds. 30
3. The Director shall determine the registration numbers 31
assigned to trailers. 32
4. Any license plates issued for a trailer before July 1, 1975, 33
bearing a different designation from that provided for in this section, 34
are valid during the period for which such plates were issued. 35
5. The Department shall not issue for a full trailer or semitrailer 36
that is registered pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 482.483 a special 37
license plate available pursuant to NRS 482.3667 to 482.3823, 38
inclusive [.] , and section 1 of this act. 39
Sec. 6. NRS 482.367002 is hereby amended to read as 40
follows: 41
482.367002 1. A person may request that the Department 42
design, prepare and issue a special license plate by submitting an 43
application to the Department. A person may submit an application 44
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for a special license plate that is intended to generate financial 1
support for an organization only if: 2
(a) For an organization which is not a governmental entity, the 3
organization is established as a nonprofit charitable organization 4
which provides services to the community relating to public health, 5
education or general welfare; 6
(b) For an organization which is a governmental entity, the 7
organization only uses the financial support generated by the special 8
license plate for charitable purposes relating to public health, 9
education or general welfare; 10
(c) The organization is registered with the Secretary of State, if 11
registration is required by law, and has filed any documents required 12
to remain registered with the Secretary of State; 13
(d) The name and purpose of the organization do not promote, 14
advertise or endorse any specific product, brand name or service that 15
is offered for profit; 16
(e) The organization is nondiscriminatory; and 17
(f) The license plate will not promote a specific religion, faith or 18
antireligious belief. 19
2. An application submitted to the Department pursuant to 20
subsection 1: 21
(a) Must be on a form prescribed and furnished by the 22
Department; 23
(b) Must specify whether the special license plate being 24
requested is intended to generate financial support for a particular 25
cause or charitable organization and, if so: 26
(1) The name of the cause or charitable organization; and 27
(2) Whether the financial support intended to be generated 28
for the particular cause or charitable organization will be for: 29
(I) General use by the particular cause or charitable 30
organization; or 31
(II) Use by the particular cause or charitable organization 32
in a more limited or specific manner; 33
(c) Must include the name and signature of a person who 34
represents: 35
(1) The organization which is requesting that the Department 36
design, prepare and issue the special license plate; and 37
(2) If different from the organization described in 38
subparagraph (1), the cause or charitable organization for which the 39
special license plate being requested is intended to generate 40
financial support; 41
(d) Must include proof that the organization satisfies the 42
requirements set forth in subsection 1; 43
(e) Must be accompanied by a surety bond posted with the 44
Department in the amount of $5,000, except that if the special 45
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license plate being requested is one of the type described in 1
subsection 3 of NRS 482.367008, the application must be 2
accompanied by a surety bond posted with the Department in the 3
amount of $20,000; 4
(f) Must, if the organization is a charitable organization, not 5
including a governmental entity whose budget is included in the 6
executive budget, include a budget prepared by or for the charitable 7
organization which includes, without limitation, the proposed 8
operating and administrative expenses of the charitable 9
organization; and 10
(g) Must be accompanied by suggestions for the design of and 11
colors to be used in the special license plate. The suggestion must be 12
made in consultation with the charitable organization for which the 13
special license plate is intended to generate financial support, if any. 14
3. If an application for a special license plate has been 15
submitted pursuant to this section but the Department has not yet 16
designed, prepared or issued the plate, the applicant shall amend the 17
application with updated information when any of the following 18
events take place: 19
(a) The name of the organization that submitted the application 20
has changed since the initial application was submitted. 21
(b) The cause or charitable organization for which the special 22
license plate being requested is intended to generate financial 23
support has a different name than that set forth on the initial 24
application. 25
(c) The cause or charitable organization for which the special 26
license plate being requested is intended to generate financial 27
support is different from that set forth on the initial application. 28
(d) A charitable organization which submitted a budget pursuant 29
to paragraph (f) of subsection 2 prepares or has prepared a new or 30
subsequent budget. 31
The updated information described in this subsection must be 32
submitted to the Department within 90 days after the relevant 33
change takes place, unless the applicant has received notice that the 34
special license plate is on an agenda to be heard at a public meeting 35
of the Department held pursuant to subsection 4, in which case the 36
updated information must be submitted to the Department within 48 37
hours after the applicant receives such notice. The updating of 38
information pursuant to this subsection does not alter, change or 39
otherwise affect the issuance of special license plates by the 40
Department in accordance with the chronological order of their 41
authorization or approval, as described in subsection 2 of 42
NRS 482.367008. 43
4. The Department shall hold a public meeting before 44
determining whether to approve or disapprove: 45
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(a) An application for the design, preparation and issuance of a 1
special license plate that is submitted to the Department pursuant to 2
subsection 1; and 3
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, an application 4
for the design, preparation and issuance of a special license plate 5
that has been authorized by an act of the Legislature after January 1, 6
2007. 7
In determining whether to approve such an application, the 8
Department shall consider, without limitation, whether it would be 9
appropriate and feasible for the Department to design, prepare and 10
issue the particular special license plate. The Department shall 11
consider each application in the chronological order in which the 12
application was received by the Department. 13
5. Before holding a public meeting pursuant to subsection 4, 14
the Department shall: 15
(a) At least 30 days before the public meeting is held, notify: 16
(1) The person who requested the special license plate 17
pursuant to subsection 1; and 18
(2) The charitable organization for which the special license 19
plate is intended to generate financial support, if any; and 20
(b) Post a notice of the public meeting that complies with 21
chapter 241 of NRS. 22
6. The provisions of paragraph (b) of subsection 4 do not apply 23
with regard to special license plates that are issued pursuant to NRS 24
482.3746, 482.3751, 482.3752, 482.3757, 482.3783, 482.3785, 25
482.3787, 482.37901, 482.37902, 482.37906, 482.37907, 482.3791, 26
482.3794 or 482.3817 [.] or section 1 of this act. 27
7. The Department may design and prepare a special license 28
plate requested pursuant to subsection 1 if the Department: 29
(a) Determines that the application for that plate complies with 30
subsection 2; and 31
(b) Approves the application for that plate after holding the 32
public meeting required pursuant to subsection 4. 33
8. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 482.367008, the 34
Department may issue a special license plate that: 35
(a) The Department has designed and prepared pursuant to 36
subsection 7; and 37
(b) Complies with the requirements of NRS 482.367003, 38
for any motorcycle, passenger car or light commercial vehicle 39
upon application by a person who is entitled to license plates 40
pursuant to NRS 482.265 and who otherwise complies with the 41
requirements for registration and licensing pursuant to this chapter. 42
A person may request that personalized prestige license plates 43
issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667 be combined with a special 44
license plate issued pursuant to this section if that person pays the 45
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fees for personalized prestige license plates in addition to the fees 1
for the special license plate. 2
9. Upon making a determination to issue a special license plate 3
pursuant to subsection 8, the Department shall notify: 4
(a) The person who requested the special license plate pursuant 5
to subsection 1; and 6
(b) The charitable organization for which the special license 7
plate is intended to generate financial support, if any. 8
10. After making a determination to issue a special license 9
plate pursuant to this section, if the Department determines not to 10
use the design or colors suggested pursuant to paragraph (g) of 11
subsection 2, the Department shall notify the person who requested 12
the special license plate pursuant to subsection 1. The notice must 13
include, without limitation, the reasons the Department did not use 14
the design or colors suggested pursuant to paragraph (g) of 15
subsection 2. 16
11. Within 180 days after receiving the notice pursuant to 17
subsection 10, the person who requested the special license plate 18
pursuant to subsection 1 shall, in consultation with the charitable 19
organization for which the special license plate is intended to 20
generate financial support, if any, submit a revised suggestion for 21
the design of and colors to be used in the special license plate. If the 22
person does not submit a revised suggestion within 180 days after 23
receiving the notice pursuant to subsection 10, the Department must: 24
(a) Not issue the special license plate; and 25
(b) Notify: 26
(1) The person who requested the special license plate 27
pursuant to subsection 1; and 28
(2) The charitable organization for which the special license 29
plate is intended to generate financial support, if any. 30
12. After receiving the suggested design of and colors to be 31
used in the special license plate pursuant to paragraph (g) of 32
subsection 2 or subsection 11 and upon determining the design of 33
and the colors to be used in the special license plate, the Department 34
shall submit the design of and the colors to be used in the special 35
license plate to the person who requested the special license plate 36
pursuant to subsection 1 and to the charitable organization for which 37
the special license plate is intended to generate financial support, if 38
any. The person and the charitable organization, if any, shall 39
respond to the Department within 30 days after receiving the design 40
of and the colors to be used in the special license plate and shall: 41
(a) Approve the design of and the colors to be used in the 42
special license plate; or 43
(b) Submit suggestions to revise the design of or colors to be 44
used in the special license plate. 45
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If the person who requested the special license plate pursuant to 1
subsection 1 and the charitable organization for which the special 2
license plate is intended to generate financial support, if any, fail to 3
respond within 30 days after receiving the design of and the colors 4
to be used in the special license plate, the person and charitable 5
organization shall be deemed to approve the design of and the colors 6
to be used in the special license plate. The Department may adopt 7
regulations to carry out this subsection. 8
13. The Department must promptly release the surety bond 9
posted pursuant to subsection 2: 10
(a) If the Department determines not to issue the special license 11
plate; 12
(b) If the Department distributes the additional fees collected on 13
behalf of a charitable organization to another charitable organization 14
pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (c) of subsection 5 of 15
NRS 482.38279 and the surety bond has not been released to the 16
initial charitable organization; or 17
(c) If it is determined that at least 1,000 special license plates 18
have been issued pursuant to the assessment of the viability of the 19
design of the special license plate conducted pursuant to NRS 20
482.367008, except that if the special license plate is one of the type 21
described in subsection 3 of NRS 482.367008, the Department must 22
promptly release the surety bond posted pursuant to subsection 2 if 23
it is determined that at least 3,000 special license plates have been 24
issued pursuant to the assessment of the viability of the design of the 25
special license plate conducted pursuant to NRS 482.367008. 26
14. If, during a registration period, the holder of license plates 27
issued pursuant to the provisions of this section disposes of the 28
vehicle to which the plates are affixed, the holder shall: 29
(a) Retain the plates and affix them to another vehicle that meets 30
the requirements of this section if the holder pays the fee for the 31
transfer of the registration and any registration fee or governmental 32
services tax due pursuant to NRS 482.399; or 33
(b) Within 30 days after removing the plates from the vehicle, 34
return them to the Department. 35
15. On or before September 1 of each fiscal year, the 36
Department shall compile a list of each special license plate the 37
Department, during the immediately preceding fiscal year, designed 38
and prepared pursuant to subsection 7 or issued pursuant to 39
subsection 8. The list must set forth, for each such plate, the cause 40
or charitable organization for which the special license plate 41
generates or would generate financial support, and the intended use 42
to which the financial support is being put or would be put. The 43
Department shall make that information available on its Internet 44
website. 45
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16. On or before January 31 of each year, the Department shall: 1
(a) Compile a report that contains information detailing: 2
(1) The requests submitted pursuant to subsection 1; 3
(2) The list compiled pursuant to subsection 15 for the 4
immediately preceding fiscal year; 5
(3) Any special license plates that the Department will no 6
longer issue pursuant to NRS 482.367008; 7
(4) The results of any activities conducted pursuant to NRS 8
482.38272 to 482.38279, inclusive; and 9
(5) Any actions taken by the Department pursuant to 10
subsections 4 and 5 of NRS 482.38279; and 11
(b) Submit the report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel 12
Bureau for transmittal to the Legislature, if the Legislature is in 13
session, or to the Legislative Commission, if the Legislature is not 14
in session. 15
Sec. 7. NRS 482.367008 is hereby amended to read as 16
follows: 17
482.367008 1. As used in this section, “special license plate” 18
means: 19
(a) A license plate that the Department has designed and 20
prepared pursuant to NRS 482.367002 in accordance with the 21
system of application described in that section; 22
(b) A license plate approved by the Legislature that the 23
Department has designed and prepared pursuant to NRS 482.3747, 24
482.37903, 482.37917, 482.379175, 482.37918, 482.37919, 25
482.3792, 482.3793, 482.37933, 482.37934, 482.37935, 26
482.379355, 482.379365, 482.37937, 482.379375, 482.37938, 27
482.37939, 482.37945 or 482.37947; and 28
(c) Except for a license plate that is issued pursuant to NRS 29
482.3746, 482.3751, 482.3752, 482.3757, 482.3783, 482.3785, 30
482.3787, 482.37901, 482.37902, 482.37906, 482.37907, 482.3791, 31
482.3794, 482.37941 or 482.3817, or section 1 of this act, a license 32
plate that is approved by the Legislature after July 1, 2005. 33
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, 34
and except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the Department 35
shall not, at any one time, issue more than 30 separate designs of 36
special license plates. Whenever the total number of separate 37
designs of special license plates issued by the Department at any one 38
time is less than 30, the Department shall issue a number of 39
additional designs of special license plates that have been authorized 40
by an act of the Legislature or the application for which has been 41
approved by the Department pursuant to NRS 482.367002, not to 42
exceed a total of 30 designs issued by the Department at any one 43
time. Such additional designs must be issued by the Department in 44
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accordance with the chronological order of their authorization or 1
approval by the Department. 2
3. In addition to the special license plates described in 3
subsection 2, the Department may issue not more than five separate 4
designs of special license plates in excess of the limit set forth in 5
that subsection. To qualify for issuance pursuant to this subsection: 6
(a) The Department must approve the design, preparation and 7
issuance of the special plates as described in NRS 482.367002; and 8
(b) The special license plates must have been applied for, 9
designed, prepared and issued pursuant to NRS 482.367002, except 10
that: 11
(1) The application for the special license plates must be 12
accompanied by a surety bond posted with the Department in the 13
amount of $20,000; and 14
(2) Pursuant to the assessment of the viability of the design 15
of the special license plates that is conducted pursuant to this 16
section, it is determined that at least 3,000 special license plates 17
have been issued. 18
4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, on 19
October 1 of each year the Department shall assess the viability of 20
each separate design of special license plate that the Department is 21
currently issuing by determining the total number of validly 22
registered motor vehicles to which that design of special license 23
plate is affixed. The Department shall not determine the total 24
number of validly registered motor vehicles to which a particular 25
design of special license plate is affixed if: 26
(a) The particular design of special license plate was designed 27
and prepared by the Department pursuant to NRS 482.367002; and 28
(b) On October 1, that particular design of special license plate 29
has been available to be issued for less than 12 months. 30
5. If, on October 1, the total number of validly registered motor 31
vehicles to which a particular design of special license plate is 32
affixed is: 33
(a) In the case of special license plates not described in 34
subsection 3, less than 1,000; or 35
(b) In the case of special license plates described in subsection 36
3, less than 3,000, 37
the Director shall provide notice of that fact in the manner 38
described in subsection 6. 39
6. The notice required pursuant to subsection 5 must be 40
provided: 41
(a) If the special license plate generates financial support for a 42
cause or charitable organization, to that cause or charitable 43
organization. 44
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(b) If the special license plate does not generate financial 1
support for a cause or charitable organization, to an entity which is 2
involved in promoting the activity, place or other matter that is 3
depicted on the plate. 4
7. If, on December 31 of the same year in which notice was 5
provided pursuant to subsections 5 and 6, the total number of validly 6
registered motor vehicles to which a particular design of special 7
license plate is affixed is: 8
(a) In the case of special license plates not described in 9
subsection 3, less than 1,000; or 10
(b) In the case of special license plates described in subsection 11
3, less than 3,000, 12
the Director shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law to 13
the contrary, issue an order providing that the Department will no 14
longer issue that particular design of special license plate. Such an 15
order does not require existing holders of that particular design of 16
special license plate to surrender their plates to the Department and 17
does not prohibit those holders from renewing those plates. 18
Sec. 8. NRS 482.36705 is hereby amended to read as follows: 19
482.36705 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2: 20
(a) If a new special license plate is authorized by an act of the 21
Legislature after January 1, 2003, other than a special license plate 22
that is authorized pursuant to NRS 482.379375, the Legislature will 23
direct that the license plate not be designed, prepared or issued by 24
the Department unless the Department receives at least 1,000 25
applications for the issuance of that plate within 2 years after the 26
effective date of the act of the Legislature that authorized the plate. 27
(b) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraph (a), if a 28
new special license plate is authorized by an act of the Legislature 29
after July 1, 2005, the Legislature will direct that the license plate 30
not be issued by the Department unless its issuance complies with 31
subsection 2 of NRS 482.367008. 32
(c) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a) and 33
(b), if a new special license plate is authorized by an act of the 34
Legislature after January 1, 2007, the Legislature will direct that the 35
license plate not be designed, prepared or issued by the Department 36
unless the Department approves the application for the authorized 37
plate pursuant to NRS 482.367002. 38
(d) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a), 39
(b) and (c), if a new special license plate is authorized by an act of 40
the Legislature after July 1, 2021, the Legislature will direct that the 41
license plate not be designed, prepared or issued by the Department 42
unless the organization meeting the requirements described in 43
subsection 1 of NRS 482.367002 submits suggestions for the design 44
of and colors to be used in the special license plate within 180 days 45
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after the authorization of the special license plate. The provisions of 1
subsections 10, 11 and 12 of NRS 482.367002 apply to suggestions 2
submitted pursuant to this paragraph. 3
2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply with regard to 4
special license plates that are issued pursuant to NRS 482.3746, 5
482.3751, 482.3752, 482.3757, 482.3783, 482.3785, 482.3787, 6
482.37901, 482.37902, 482.37906, 482.37907, 482.3791, 482.3794, 7
482.37941 or 482.3817 [.] or section 1 of this act. 8
Sec. 9. NRS 482.38276 is hereby amended to read as follows: 9
482.38276 “Special license plate” means: 10
1. A license plate that the Department has designed and 11
prepared pursuant to NRS 482.367002 in accordance with the 12
system of application and petition described in that section; 13
2. A license plate approved by the Legislature that the 14
Department has designed and prepared pursuant to NRS 482.3747, 15
482.37903, 482.37904, 482.37905, 482.37907, 482.37917, 16
482.379175, 482.37918, 482.37919, 482.3792, 482.3793, 17
482.37933, 482.37934, 482.37935, 482.379355, 482.379365, 18
482.37937, 482.379375, 482.37938, 482.37939, 482.37945 or 19
482.37947; and 20
3. Except for a license plate that is issued pursuant to NRS 21
482.3746, 482.3757, 482.3785, 482.3787, 482.37901, 482.37902, 22
482.37906, 482.3791, 482.3794 or 482.37941, or section 1 of this 23
act, a license plate that is approved by the Legislature after July 1, 24
2005. 25
Sec. 10. NRS 482.399 is hereby amended to read as follows: 26
482.399 1. Upon the transfer of the ownership of or interest 27
in any vehicle by any holder of a valid registration, or upon 28
destruction of the vehicle, the registration expires. 29
2. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 482.2155 and 30
subsection 3 of NRS 482.483, the holder of the original registration 31
may transfer the registration to another vehicle to be registered by 32
the holder and use the same regular license plate or plates or special 33
license plate or plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667 to 34
482.3823, inclusive, and section 1 of this act, or 482.384, on the 35
vehicle from which the registration is being transferred, if the 36
license plate or plates are appropriate for the second vehicle, upon 37
filing an application for transfer of registration and upon paying the 38
transfer registration fee and the excess, if any, of the registration fee 39
and governmental services tax on the vehicle to which the 40
registration is transferred over the total registration fee and 41
governmental services tax paid on all vehicles from which he or she 42
is transferring ownership or interest. Except as otherwise provided 43
in NRS 482.294, an application for transfer of registration must be 44
made in person, if practicable, to any office or agent of the 45
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Department or to a registered dealer, and the license plate or plates 1
may not be used upon a second vehicle until registration of that 2
vehicle is complete. 3
3. In computing the governmental services tax, the 4
Department, its agent or the registered dealer shall credit the portion 5
of the tax paid on the first vehicle attributable to the remainder of 6
the current registration period or calendar year on a pro rata monthly 7
basis against the tax due on the second vehicle or on any other 8
vehicle of which the person is the registered owner. If any person 9
transfers ownership or interest in two or more vehicles, the 10
Department or the registered dealer shall credit the portion of the tax 11
paid on all of the vehicles attributable to the remainder of the 12
current registration period or calendar year on a pro rata monthly 13
basis against the tax due on the vehicle to which the registration is 14
transferred or on any other vehicle of which the person is the 15
registered owner. The certificates of registration and unused license 16
plates of the vehicles from which a person transfers ownership or 17
interest must be submitted before credit is given against the tax due 18
on the vehicle to which the registration is transferred or on any other 19
vehicle of which the person is the registered owner. 20
4. In computing the registration fee, the Department or its 21
agent or the registered dealer shall credit the portion of the 22
registration fee paid on each vehicle attributable to the remainder of 23
the current calendar year or registration period on a pro rata basis 24
against the registration fee due on the vehicle to which registration 25
is transferred. 26
5. If the amount owed on the registration fee or governmental 27
services tax on the vehicle to which registration is transferred is less 28
than the credit on the total registration fee or governmental services 29
tax paid on all vehicles from which a person transfers ownership or 30
interest, the person may apply the unused portion of the credit to the 31
registration of any other vehicle owned by the person. Any unused 32
portion of such a credit expires on the date the registration of the 33
vehicle from which the person transferred the registration was due 34
to expire. 35
6. If the license plate or plates are not appropriate for the 36
second vehicle, the plate or plates must be surrendered to the 37
Department or registered dealer and an appropriate plate or plates 38
must be issued by the Department. The Department shall not reissue 39
the surrendered plate or plates until the next succeeding licensing 40
period. 41
7. If application for transfer of registration is not made within 42
60 days after the destruction or transfer of ownership of or interest 43
in any vehicle, the license plate or plates must be surrendered to the 44
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Department on or before the 60th day for cancellation of the 1
registration. 2
8. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 of NRS 3
371.040, NRS 482.2155, subsections 8 and 9 of NRS 482.260 and 4
subsection 3 of NRS 482.483, if a person cancels his or her 5
registration and surrenders to the Department the license plates for a 6
vehicle, the Department shall: 7
(a) In accordance with the provisions of subsection 9, issue to 8
the person a refund of the portion of the registration fee and 9
governmental services tax paid on the vehicle attributable to the 10
remainder of the current calendar year or registration period on a pro 11
rata basis; or 12
(b) If the person does not qualify for a refund in accordance with 13
the provisions of subsection 9, issue to the person a credit in the 14
amount of the portion of the registration fee and governmental 15
services tax paid on the vehicle attributable to the remainder of the 16
current calendar year or registration period on a pro rata basis. Such 17
a credit may be applied by the person to the registration of any other 18
vehicle owned by the person. Any unused portion of the credit 19
expires on the date the registration of the vehicle from which the 20
person obtained a refund was due to expire. 21
9. The Department shall issue a refund pursuant to subsection 8 22
only if the request for a refund is made at the time the registration is 23
cancelled and the license plates are surrendered, the person 24
requesting the refund is a resident of Nevada, the amount eligible 25
for refund exceeds $100, and evidence satisfactory to the 26
Department is submitted that reasonably proves the existence of 27
extenuating circumstances. For the purposes of this subsection, the 28
term “extenuating circumstances” means circumstances wherein: 29
(a) The person has recently relinquished his or her driver’s 30
license and has sold or otherwise disposed of his or her vehicle. 31
(b) The vehicle has been determined to be inoperable and the 32
person does not transfer the registration to a different vehicle. 33
(c) The owner of the vehicle is seriously ill or has died and the 34
guardians or survivors have sold or otherwise disposed of the 35
vehicle. 36
(d) Any other event occurs which the Department, by regulation, 37
has defined to constitute an “extenuating circumstance” for the 38
purposes of this subsection. 39
Sec. 11. NRS 484B.463 is hereby amended to read as follows: 40
484B.463 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, an 41
owner or operator of a motor vehicle displaying a special parking 42
placard, a special parking sticker, a temporary parking placard, a 43
temporary parking sticker or a special plate or plates issued pursuant 44
to NRS 482.384, or a special plate or plates for a veteran with a 45
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disability issued pursuant to NRS 482.3765, 482.377, 482.3775, 1
482.378 or 482.3783, or section 1 of this act may park the motor 2
vehicle for not more than 4 hours at any one time in a parking zone 3
restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted, without 4
penalty, removal or impoundment of the vehicle if the parking is 5
otherwise consistent with public safety and is done by a person with 6
a permanent disability, disability of moderate duration or temporary 7
disability, a veteran with a disability or a person transporting any 8
such person. 9
2. An owner or operator of a motor vehicle displaying a special 10
plate or plates for a veteran with a disability issued pursuant to NRS 11
482.3765, 482.377, 482.3775, 482.378 or 482.3783 or section 1 of 12
this act may, without displaying a special license plate, placard or 13
sticker issued pursuant to NRS 482.384, park in a parking space 14
designated for persons who are handicapped if: 15
(a) The parking is done by a veteran with a disability; or 16
(b) A veteran with a disability is a passenger in the motor 17
vehicle being parked. 18
3. This section does not authorize the parking of a motor 19
vehicle in any privately or municipally owned facility for parking 20
off the highway without paying the required fee for the time during 21
which the vehicle is so parked. 22
Sec. 12. NRS 484B.467 is hereby amended to read as follows: 23
484B.467 1. Any parking space designated for persons who 24
are handicapped must be indicated by a sign: 25
(a) Bearing the international symbol of access with or without 26
the words “Parking,” “Handicapped Parking,” “Handicapped 27
Parking Only” or “Reserved for the Handicapped,” or any other 28
word or combination of words indicating that the space is 29
designated for persons who are handicapped; 30
(b) Stating “Minimum fine of $250 for use by others” or 31
equivalent words; and 32
(c) The bottom of which must be not less than 4 feet above the 33
ground. 34
2. In addition to the requirements of subsection 1, a parking 35
space designated for persons who are handicapped which: 36
(a) Is designed for the exclusive use of a vehicle with a side-37
loading wheelchair lift; and 38
(b) Is located in a parking lot with 60 or more parking spaces, 39
must be indicated by a sign using a combination of words to state 40
that the space is for the exclusive use of a vehicle with a side-41
loading wheelchair lift. 42
3. If a parking space is designed for the use of a vehicle with a 43
side-loading wheelchair lift, the space which is immediately 44
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adjacent and intended for use in the loading and unloading of a 1
wheelchair into or out of such a vehicle must be indicated by a sign: 2
(a) Stating “No Parking” or similar words which indicate that 3
parking in such a space is prohibited; 4
(b) Stating “Minimum fine of $250 for violation” or similar 5
words indicating that the minimum fine for parking in such a space 6
is $250; and 7
(c) The bottom of which must not be less than 4 feet above the 8
ground. 9
4. An owner of private property upon which is located a 10
parking space described in subsection 1, 2 or 3 shall erect and 11
maintain or cause to be erected and maintained any sign required 12
pursuant to subsection 1, 2 or 3, whichever is applicable. If a 13
parking space described in subsection 1, 2 or 3 is located on public 14
property, the governmental entity having control over that public 15
property shall erect and maintain or cause to be erected and 16
maintained any sign required pursuant to subsection 1, 2 or 3, 17
whichever is applicable. 18
5. A person shall not park a vehicle in a space designated for 19
persons who are handicapped by a sign that meets the requirements 20
of subsection 1, whether on public or privately owned property, 21
unless the person is eligible to do so and the vehicle displays: 22
(a) A special license plate or plates issued pursuant to 23
NRS 482.384; 24
(b) A special or temporary parking placard issued pursuant to 25
NRS 482.384; 26
(c) A special or temporary parking sticker issued pursuant to 27
NRS 482.384; 28
(d) A special license plate or plates, a special or temporary 29
parking sticker, or a special or temporary parking placard displaying 30
the international symbol of access issued by another state or a 31
foreign country; or 32
(e) A special license plate or plates for a veteran with a 33
disability issued pursuant to NRS 482.3765, 482.377, 482.3775, 34
482.378 or 482.3783 [.] or section 1 of this act. 35
6. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a person 36
shall not park a vehicle in a space that is reserved for the exclusive 37
use of a vehicle with a side-loading wheelchair lift and is designated 38
for persons who are handicapped by a sign that meets the 39
requirements of subsection 2, whether on public or privately owned 40
property, unless: 41
(a) The person is eligible to do so; 42
(b) The vehicle displays the special license plate, plates or 43
placard set forth in subsection 5; and 44
(c) The vehicle is equipped with a side-loading wheelchair lift. 45
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A person who meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) 1
may park a vehicle that is not equipped with a side-loading 2
wheelchair lift in such a parking space if the space is in a parking lot 3
with fewer than 60 parking spaces. 4
7. A person shall not park in a space which: 5
(a) Is immediately adjacent to a space designed for use by a 6
vehicle with a side-loading wheelchair lift; and 7
(b) Is designated as a space in which parking is prohibited by a 8
sign that meets the requirements of subsection 3, 9
whether on public or privately owned property. 10
8. A person shall not use a plate, sticker or placard set forth in 11
subsection 5 to park in a space designated for persons who are 12
handicapped unless he or she is a person with a permanent 13
disability, disability of moderate duration or temporary disability, a 14
veteran with a disability or the driver of a vehicle in which any such 15
person is a passenger. 16
9. A person with a permanent disability, disability of moderate 17
duration or temporary disability to whom a: 18
(a) Special license plate, or a special or temporary parking 19
sticker, has been issued pursuant to NRS 482.384 shall not allow 20
any other person to park the vehicle, motorcycle or moped 21
displaying the special license plate or special or temporary parking 22
sticker in a space designated for persons who are handicapped 23
unless the person with the permanent disability, disability of 24
moderate duration or temporary disability is a passenger in the 25
vehicle or on the motorcycle or moped, or is being picked up or 26
dropped off by the driver of the vehicle, motorcycle or moped, at the 27
time that the vehicle, motorcycle or moped is parked in the space 28
designated for persons who are handicapped. 29
(b) Special or temporary parking placard has been issued 30
pursuant to NRS 482.384 shall not allow any other person to park 31
the vehicle which displays the special or temporary parking placard 32
in a space designated for persons who are handicapped unless the 33
person with the permanent disability, disability of moderate duration 34
or temporary disability is a passenger in the vehicle, or is being 35
picked up or dropped off by the driver of the vehicle, at the time that 36
it is parked in the space designated for persons who are 37
handicapped. 38
10. A person who violates any of the provisions of subsections 39
5 to 9, inclusive, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished: 40
(a) Upon the first offense, by a fine of $250. 41
(b) Upon the second offense, by a fine of $250 and not less than 42
8 hours, but not more than 50 hours, of community service. 43
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(c) Upon the third or subsequent offense, by a fine of not less 1
than $500, but not more than $1,000 and not less than 25 hours, but 2
not more than 100 hours, of community service. 3
H