Relating to public safety, including by creating a public safety equipment fund and by providing for the display of a special registration sticker on certain motor vehicles in lieu of a front registration plate, and making penalties applicable

This bill authorizes the department of transportation (DOT) to issue a motor vehicle special registration sticker that may be displayed on the rear registration plate of certain motor vehicles. If the special registration sticker is displayed on the rear registration plate, the motor vehicle may be operated without the front registration plate attached. The front registration plate must be carried in the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is operated on a public highway and must be available for inspection to any peace officer upon the officer’s request. Requirements for the display of a rear registration plate and annual validation sticker are not altered by the bill. The fee for a special registration sticker is $50. The fees collected by the DOT for special registration stickers must be remitted to the treasurer of state for deposit in the public safety equipment fund. The bill creates the public safety equipment fund and appropriates moneys in the fund to the department of public safety (DPS) for the purchase, maintenance, and replacement of equipment used by DPS. By operation of law, a violation of the provisions of the bill is punishable by a scheduled fine of $20.