ENROLLED
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
Senate Bill No. 183
(Senators Facemyer, McKenzie, Jenkins and Love, original sponsors)
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[Passed March 11, 2006; in effect from passage.]
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AN ACT to amend and reenact §17A-3-4, §17A-3-14 and §17A-3-23 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to motor vehicle registration generally; providing for the issuance of a special plate for recipients of the Armed Forces Air Medal; extending the time to comply with requirements for the issuance of a special plate for members of the Knights of Columbus; providing for the issuance of a special Lions International membership license plate; providing for the issuance of a special plate recognizing organ and tissue donors; providing for the issuance of a special West Virginia Bar Association membership license plate; providing for the issuance of a special plate with the logo "SHARE THE ROAD"; providing for the issuance of a special plate honoring coal miners; providing for the issuance of special plates for present and former Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts; providing for the issuance of a special plate memorializing victims of domestic violence; providing for the issuance of a special plate demonstrating association with or support of the University of Charleston; providing for the issuance of a special plate for members of the Sons of the American Revolution; providing for the issuance of a special plate for horse enthusiasts; providing for the issuance of a special plate for the next of kin of a member of the armed forces killed in combat; providing for the issuance of a special plate for retired or former Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia; assessing a special initial application fee and a special annual fee therefor; revising the criteria before the commissioner may initiate the design and production of a special license plate; encouraging the commissioner to utilize technology in the design, production and issuance of registration plates, including offering internet renewal of vehicle registration; establishing a new license plate issued to a city or municipality for motor vehicles of a city or municipal law enforcement department; specifying the design and a one-time fee therefor; providing for the issuance of special license plates for certain vehicles titled in the name of the Division of Public Transit or a public transit authority to transport persons in the public interest, without charge therefor; providing for the design therefor; and exempting certain vehicles titled in the name of an urban mass transit authority and certain nonprofit entities from the tax imposed upon the privilege of certification of title of a vehicle by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That §17A-3-4, §17A-3-14 and §17A-3-23 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. ORIGINAL AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF TITLE.

§17A-3-4. Application for certificate of title; tax for privilege of certification of title; exceptions; fee on payments for leased vehicles; penalty for false swearing.

(a) Certificates of registration of any vehicle or registration plates for the vehicle, whether original issues or duplicates, may not be issued or furnished by the Division of Motor Vehicles or any other officer or agent charged with the duty, unless the applicant already has received, or at the same time makes application for and is granted, an official certificate of title of the vehicle in either an electronic or paper format. The application shall be upon a blank form to be furnished by the Division of Motor Vehicles and shall contain a full description of the vehicle, which description shall contain a manufacturer's serial or identification number or other number as determined by the commissioner and any distinguishing marks, together with a statement of the applicant's title and of any liens or encumbrances upon the vehicle, the names and addresses of the holders of the liens and any other information as the Division of Motor Vehicles may require. The application shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant. A duly certified copy of the division's electronic record of a certificate of title is admissible in any civil, criminal or administrative proceeding in this state as evidence of ownership.

(b) A tax is imposed upon the privilege of effecting the certification of title of each vehicle in the amount equal to five percent of the value of the motor vehicle at the time of the certification, to be assessed as follows:

(1) If the vehicle is new, the actual purchase price or consideration to the purchaser of the vehicle is the value of the vehicle. If the vehicle is a used or secondhand vehicle, the present market value at time of transfer or purchase is the value of the vehicle for the purposes of this section: Provided, That so much of the purchase price or consideration as is represented by the exchange of other vehicles on which the tax imposed by this section has been paid by the purchaser shall be deducted from the total actual price or consideration paid for the vehicle, whether the vehicle be new or secondhand. If the vehicle is acquired through gift or by any manner whatsoever, unless specifically exempted in this section, the present market value of the vehicle at the time of the gift or transfer is the value of the vehicle for the purposes of this section.

(2) No certificate of title for any vehicle may be issued to any applicant unless the applicant has paid to the Division of Motor Vehicles the tax imposed by this section which is five percent of the true and actual value of the vehicle whether the vehicle is acquired through purchase, by gift or by any other manner whatsoever, except gifts between husband and wife or between parents and children: Provided, That the husband or wife, or the parents or children, previously have paid the tax on the vehicles transferred to the State of West Virginia.

(3) The Division of Motor Vehicles may issue a certificate of registration and title to an applicant if the applicant provides sufficient proof to the Division of Motor Vehicles that the applicant has paid the taxes and fees required by this section to a motor vehicle dealership that has gone out of business or has filed bankruptcy proceedings in the United States bankruptcy court and the taxes and fees so required to be paid by the applicant have not been sent to the division by the motor vehicle dealership or have been impounded due to the bankruptcy proceedings: Provided, That the applicant makes an affidavit of the same and assigns all rights to claims for money the applicant may have against the motor vehicle dealership to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

(4) The Division of Motor Vehicles shall issue a certificate of registration and title to an applicant without payment of the tax imposed by this section if the applicant is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company transferring the vehicle to another corporation, partnership or limited liability company when the entities involved in the transfer are members of the same controlled group and the transferring entity has previously paid the tax on the vehicle transferred. For the purposes of this section, control means ownership, directly or indirectly, of stock or equity interests possessing fifty percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of a corporation or equity interests of a partnership or limited liability company entitled to vote or ownership, directly or indirectly, of stock or equity interests possessing fifty percent or more of the value of the corporation, partnership or limited liability company.

(5) The tax imposed by this section does not apply to vehicles to be registered as Class H vehicles or Class M vehicles, as defined in section one, article ten of this chapter, which are used or to be used in interstate commerce. Nor does the tax imposed by this section apply to the titling of Class B vehicles registered at a gross weight of fifty-five thousand pounds or more, or to the titling of Class C semitrailers, full trailers, pole trailers and converter gear: Provided, That if an owner of a vehicle has previously titled the vehicle at a declared gross weight of fifty-five thousand pounds or more and the title was issued without the payment of the tax imposed by this section, then before the owner may obtain registration for the vehicle at a gross weight less than fifty-five thousand pounds, the owner shall surrender to the commissioner the exempted registration, the exempted certificate of title and pay the tax imposed by this section based upon the current market value of the vehicle: Provided, however, That notwithstanding the provisions of section nine, article fifteen, chapter eleven of this code, the exemption from tax under this section for Class B vehicles in excess of fifty-five thousand pounds and Class C semitrailers, full trailers, pole trailers and converter gear does not subject the sale or purchase of the vehicles to the consumers sales and service tax.

(6) The tax imposed by this section does not apply to titling of vehicles leased by residents of West Virginia. A tax is imposed upon the monthly payments for the lease of any motor vehicle leased by a resident of West Virginia, which tax is equal to five percent of the amount of the monthly payment, applied to each payment, and continuing for the entire term of the initial lease period. The tax shall be remitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles on a monthly basis by the lessor of the vehicle.

(7) The tax imposed by this section does not apply to titling of vehicles by a registered dealer of this state for resale only, nor does the tax imposed by this section apply to titling of vehicles by this state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any volunteer fire department or duly chartered rescue or ambulance squad organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of West Virginia as a nonprofit corporation for protection of life or property. The total amount of revenue collected by reason of this tax shall be paid into the state road fund and expended by the Commissioner of Highways for matching federal funds allocated for West Virginia. In addition to the tax, there is a charge of five dollars for each original certificate of title or duplicate certificate of title so issued: Provided, That this state or any political subdivision of this state or any volunteer fire department or duly chartered rescue squad is exempt from payment of the charge.

(8) The certificate is good for the life of the vehicle, so long as the vehicle is owned or held by the original holder of the certificate and need not be renewed annually, or any other time, except as provided in this section.

(9) If, by will or direct inheritance, a person becomes the owner of a motor vehicle and the tax imposed by this section previously has been paid to the Division of Motor Vehicles on that vehicle, he or she is not required to pay the tax.

(10) A person who has paid the tax imposed by this section is not required to pay the tax a second time for the same motor vehicle, but is required to pay a charge of five dollars for the certificate of retitle of that motor vehicle, except that the tax shall be paid by the person when the title to the vehicle has been transferred either in this or another state from the person to another person and transferred back to the person.

(11) The tax imposed by this section does not apply to any passenger vehicle offered for rent in the normal course of business by a daily passenger rental car business as licensed under the provisions of article six-d of this chapter. For purposes of this section, a daily passenger car means a Class A motor vehicle having a gross weight of eight thousand pounds or less and is registered in this state or any other state. In lieu of the tax imposed by this section, there is hereby imposed a tax of not less than one dollar nor more than one dollar and fifty cents for each day or part of the rental period. The commissioner shall propose an emergency rule in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to establish this tax.

(12) The tax imposed by this article does not apply to the titling of any vehicle purchased by a senior citizen service organization which is exempt from the payment of income taxes under the United States Internal Revenue Code, Title 26 U. S. C. §501(c)(3) and which is recognized to be a bona fide senior citizen service organization by the senior services bureau existing under the provisions of article five, chapter sixteen of this code.

(13) The tax imposed by this section does not apply to the titling of any vehicle operated by an urban mass transit authority as defined in article twenty-seven, chapter eight of this code or a nonprofit entity exempt from federal and state income tax under the Internal Revenue Code and whose purpose is to provide mass transportation to the public at large designed for the transportation of persons and being operated for the transportation of persons in the public interest.

(c) Notwithstanding any provisions of this code to the contrary, the owners of trailers, semitrailers, recreational vehicles and other vehicles not subject to the certificate of title tax prior to the enactment of this chapter are subject to the privilege tax imposed by this section: Provided, That the certification of title of any recreational vehicle owned by the applicant on the thirtieth day of June, one thousand nine hundred eighty-nine, is not subject to the tax imposed by this section: Provided, however, That mobile homes, manufactured homes, modular homes and similar nonmotive propelled vehicles, except recreational vehicles and house trailers, susceptible of being moved upon the highways but primarily designed for habitation and occupancy, rather than for transporting persons or property, or any vehicle operated on a nonprofit basis and used exclusively for the transportation of mentally retarded or physically handicapped children when the application for certificate of registration for the vehicle is accompanied by an affidavit stating that the vehicle will be operated on a nonprofit basis and used exclusively for the transportation of mentally retarded and physically handicapped children, are not subject to the tax imposed by this section, but are taxable under the provisions of articles fifteen and fifteen-a, chapter eleven of this code.

(d) Any person making any affidavit required under any provision of this section who knowingly swears falsely, or any person who counsels, advises, aids or abets another in the commission of false swearing, or any person, while acting as an agent of the Division of Motor Vehicles, issues a vehicle registration without first collecting the fees and taxes or fails to perform any other duty required by this chapter to be performed before a vehicle registration is issued is, on the first offense, guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or be confined in jail for a period not to exceed six months or, in the discretion of the court, both fined and confined. For a second or any subsequent conviction within five years, that person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years or, in the discretion of the court, both fined and imprisoned.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any person in the military stationed outside West Virginia or his or her dependents who possess a motor vehicle with valid registration are exempt from the provisions of this article for a period of nine months from the date the person returns to this state or the date his or her dependent returns to this state, whichever is later.

(f) No person may transfer, purchase or sell a factory-built home without a certificate of title issued by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this article:

(1) Any person who fails to provide a certificate of title upon the transfer, purchase or sale of a factory-built home is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall for the first offense be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or be confined in jail for not more than one year, or both fined and confined. For each subsequent offense, the fine may be increased to not more than two thousand dollars, with confinement in jail not more than one year, or both fined and confined.

(2) Failure of the seller to transfer a certificate of title upon sale or transfer of the factory-built home gives rise to a cause of action, upon prosecution thereof, and allows for the recovery of damages, costs and reasonable attorney fees.

(3) This subsection does not apply to a mobile or manufactured home for which a certificate of title has been canceled pursuant to section twelve-b of this article.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, whenever reference is made to the application for or issuance of any title or the recordation or release of any lien, it includes the application, transmission, recordation, transfer of ownership and storage of information in an electronic format.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this section, nothing herein shall be considered to include modular homes as defined in subsection (i), section two, article fifteen, chapter thirty-seven of this code and built to the State Building Code as established by legislative rules promulgated by the State Fire Commission pursuant to section five-b, article three, chapter twenty-nine of this code.

§17A-3-14. Registration plates generally; description of plates; issuance of special numbers and plates; registration fees; special application fees; exemptions; commissioner to promulgate forms; suspension and nonrenewal.

(a) The division upon registering a vehicle shall issue to the owner one registration plate for a motorcycle, trailer, semitrailer or other motor vehicle.

(b) Registration plates issued by the division shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Every registration plate shall be of reflectorized material and have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued; the name of this state, which may be abbreviated; and the year number for which it is issued or the date of expiration of the plate.

(2) Every registration plate and the required letters and numerals on the plate shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of one hundred feet during daylight: Provided, That the requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to the year number for which the plate is issued or the date of expiration.

(3) Registration numbering for registration plates shall begin with number two.

(1) The Governor shall be issued two registration plates, on one of which shall be imprinted the numeral one and on the other the word one.

(2) State officials and judges may be issued special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to the Secretary of State, State Superintendent of Schools, Auditor, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and the Attorney General, the members of both houses of the Legislature, including the elected officials of both houses of the Legislature, the justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the representatives and senators of the state in the Congress of the United States, the judges of the West Virginia circuit courts, active and retired on senior status, the judges of the United States district courts for the State of West Virginia and the judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the fourth circuit, if any of the judges are residents of West Virginia, a special registration plate for a Class A motor vehicle and a special registration plate for a Class G motorcycle owned by the official or his or her spouse: Provided, That the division may issue a Class A special registration plate for each vehicle titled to the official and a Class G special registration plate for each motorcycle titled to the official.

(B) Each plate issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear any combination of letters and numbers not to exceed an amount determined by the commissioner and a designation of the office. Each plate shall supersede the regular numbered plate assigned to the official or his or her spouse during the official's term of office and while the motor vehicle is owned by the official or his or her spouse.

(C) The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for every registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(3) The division may issue members of the National Guard forces special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon receipt of an application on a form prescribed by the division and receipt of written evidence from the chief executive officer of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard, as appropriate, or the commanding officer of any United States armed forces reserve unit that the applicant is a member thereof, the division shall issue to any member of the National Guard of this state or a member of any reserve unit of the United States armed forces a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of Class A motor vehicles owned by the member. Upon presentation of written evidence of retirement status, retired members of this state's Army or Air National Guard, or retired members of any reserve unit of the United States armed forces, are eligible to purchase the special registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision.

(B) The division shall charge an initial application fee of ten dollars for each special registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's National Guard forces license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(4) Specially arranged registration plates may be issued as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, any owner of a motor vehicle subject to Class A registration, or a motorcycle subject to Class G registration, as defined by this article, may request that the division issue a registration plate bearing specially arranged letters or numbers with the maximum number of letters or numbers to be determined by the commissioner. The division shall attempt to comply with the request wherever possible.

(B) The commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the orderly distribution of the plates: Provided, That for purposes of this subdivision, the registration plates requested and issued shall include all plates bearing the numbers two through two thousand.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each special registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(5) The division may issue honorably discharged veterans special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the armed services of the United States a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(6) The division may issue disabled veterans special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any disabled veteran who is exempt from the payment of registration fees under the provisions of this chapter a registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant which bears the letters "DV" in red and also the regular identification numerals in red.

(B) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's disabled veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(C) A qualified disabled veteran may obtain a second disabled veterans license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.

(7) The division may issue recipients of the distinguished Purple Heart medal special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any armed service person holding the distinguished Purple Heart medal for persons wounded in combat a registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant bearing letters or numbers. The registration plate shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall denote that those individuals who are granted this special registration plate are recipients of the Purple Heart. All letterings shall be in purple where practical.

(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's Purple Heart medal license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(D) A recipient of the Purple Heart medal may obtain a second Purple Heart medal license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.

(8) The division may issue survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the owner of a motor vehicle who was enlisted in any branch of the armed services that participated in and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on the seventh day of December, one thousand nine hundred forty-one, the division shall issue a special registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The registration plate shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from the payment of all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(D) A survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor may obtain a second survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.

(9) The division may issue special registration plates to nonprofit charitable and educational organizations authorized under prior enactment of this subdivision as follows:

(A) Approved nonprofit charitable and educational organizations previously authorized under the prior enactment of this subdivision may accept and collect applications for special registration plates from owners of Class A motor vehicles together with a special annual fee of fifteen dollars, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. The applications and fees shall be submitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles with the request that the division issue a registration plate bearing a combination of letters or numbers with the organizations' logo or emblem, with the maximum number of letters or numbers to be determined by the commissioner.

(B) The commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the procedures for and approval of special registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision.

(C) The commissioner shall set an appropriate fee to defray the administrative costs associated with designing and manufacturing special registration plates for a nonprofit charitable or educational organization. The nonprofit charitable or educational organization shall collect this fee and forward it to the division for deposit in a special revolving fund to pay the administrative costs. The nonprofit charitable or educational organization may also collect a fee for marketing the special registration plates.

(D) The commissioner may not approve or authorize any additional nonprofit charitable and educational organizations to design or market special registration plates.

(10) The division may issue specified emergency or volunteer registration plates as follows:

(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of the State of West Virginia and who is a certified paramedic or emergency medical technician, a member of a paid fire department, a member of the State Fire Commission, the State Fire Marshal, the State Fire Marshal's assistants, the State Fire Administrator and voluntary rescue squad members may apply for a special license plate for any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant which bears the insignia of the profession, group or commission. Any insignia shall be designed by the commissioner. License plates issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear the requested insignia in addition to the registration number issued to the applicant pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by the fire chief or department head of the applicant stating that the applicant is justified in having a registration with the requested insignia; proof of compliance with all laws of this state regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles; and payment of all required fees.

(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of ten dollars, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the division and deposited into a special revolving fund to be used for the purpose of compensating the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and for the administration of this section.

(11) The division may issue specified certified firefighter registration plates as follows:

(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of the State of West Virginia and who is a certified firefighter may apply for a special license plate which bears the insignia of the profession, for any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Any insignia shall be designed by the commissioner. License plates issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear the requested insignia pursuant to the provisions of this article. Upon presentation of written evidence of certification as a certified firefighter, certified firefighters are eligible to purchase the special registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision.

(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating that the applicant is justified in having a registration with the requested insignia; proof of compliance with all laws of this state regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles; and payment of all required fees. The firefighter certification department, section or division of the West Virginia University fire service extension shall notify the commissioner in writing immediately when a firefighter loses his or her certification. If a firefighter loses his or her certification, the commissioner may not issue him or her a license plate under this subsection.

(12) The division may issue special scenic registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the commissioner shall issue a special registration plate displaying a scenic design of West Virginia which displays the words "Wild Wonderful" as a slogan.

(B) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.

(13) The division may issue honorably discharged Marine Corps league members special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any honorably discharged Marine Corps league member a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

(B) The division may charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged Marine Corps league license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(14) The division may issue military organization registration plates as follows:

(A) The division may issue a special registration plate for the members of any military organization chartered by the United States Congress upon receipt of a guarantee from the organization of a minimum of one hundred applicants. The insignia on the plate shall be designed by the commissioner.

(B) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue members of the chartered organization in good standing, as determined by the governing body of the chartered organization, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars for each special license plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.

(D) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's military organization registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special military organization registration plate.

(15) The division may issue special nongame wildlife registration plates and special wildlife registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue a special registration plate displaying a species of West Virginia wildlife which shall display a species of wildlife native to West Virginia as prescribed and designated by the commissioner and the Director of the Division of Natural Resources.

(B) The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special nongame wildlife registration plate and each special wildlife registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for nongame wildlife registration plates and wildlife registration plates shall be deposited in a special revenue account designated the nongame wildlife fund and credited to the Division of Natural Resources.

(C) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the division shall be deposited in a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.

(16) The division may issue members of the Silver Haired Legislature special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any person who is a duly qualified member of the Silver Haired Legislature a specialized registration plate which bears recognition of the applicant as a member of the Silver Haired Legislature.

(B) A qualified member of the Silver Haired Legislature may obtain one registration plate described in this subdivision for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the plate. All annual fees collected by the division shall be deposited in a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.

(17) Upon appropriate application, the commissioner shall issue to a classic motor vehicle or classic motorcycle as defined in section three-a, article ten of this chapter, a special registration plate designed by the commissioner. An annual fee of fifteen dollars, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, shall be charged for each classic registration plate.

(18) Honorably discharged veterans may be issued special registration plates for motorcycles subject to Class G registration as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the armed services of the United States a special registration plate for any number of motorcycles subject to Class G registration titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

(B) A special initial application fee of ten dollars shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(19) Racing theme special registration plates:

(A) The division may issue a series of special registration plates displaying national association for stock car auto racing themes.

(B) An annual fee of twenty-five dollars shall be charged for each special racing theme registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for each special racing theme registration plate shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.

(C) A special application fee of ten dollars shall be charged at the time of initial application as well as upon application for any duplicate or replacement registration plate, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.

(20) The division may issue recipients of the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Bronze Star, Silver Star or Air Medal special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any recipient of the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star or Air Medal, a registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant bearing letters or numbers. A separate registration plate shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for each award that denotes that those individuals who are granted this special registration plate are recipients of the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star or Bronze Star, as applicable.

(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section exempts the applicant for a special registration plate under this subdivision from any other provision of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star or Air Medal special registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate.

(21) The division may issue honorably discharged veterans special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the armed services of the United States with verifiable service during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War or the War against Terrorism a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the commissioner denoting service in the applicable conflict.

(B) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing contained in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate.

(22) The division may issue special volunteer firefighter registration plates as follows:

(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of West Virginia and who is a volunteer firefighter may apply for a special license plate for any Class A vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant which bears the insignia of the profession in white letters on a red background. The insignia shall be designed by the commissioner and shall contain a fireman's helmet insignia on the left side of the license plate.

(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by the applicant's fire chief, stating that the applicant is a volunteer firefighter and justified in having a registration plate with the requested insignia. The applicant must comply with all other laws of this state regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles and must pay all required fees.

(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.

(23) The division may issue special registration plates which reflect patriotic themes, including the display of any United States symbol, icon, phrase or expression which evokes patriotic pride or recognition.

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to an applicant a registration plate of the applicant's choice, displaying a patriotic theme as provided in this subdivision, for a vehicle titled in the name of the applicant. A series of registration plates displaying patriotic themes shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for distribution to applicants.

(24) Special license plates bearing the American flag and the logo "9/11/01".

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue special registration plates which shall display the American flag and the logo "9/11/01".

(B) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(25) The division may issue a special registration plate celebrating the centennial of the 4-H youth development movement and honoring the Future Farmers of America organization as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate depicting the symbol of the 4-H organization which represents the head, heart, hands and health as well as the symbol of the Future Farmers of America organization which represents a cross section of an ear of corn for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special 4-H Future Farmers of America registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(26) The division may issue special registration plates to educators in the state's elementary and secondary schools and in the state's institutions of higher education as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special educator registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(27) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Nemesis Shrine as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in Nemesis Shrine.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the Nemesis Shrine to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to the fifteenth day of January, two thousand five.

(28) The division may issue volunteers and employees of the American Red Cross special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any person who is a duly qualified volunteer or employee of the American Red Cross a specialized registration plate which bears recognition of the applicant as a volunteer or employee of the American Red Cross for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(29) The division shall issue special registration plates to individuals who have received either the Combat Infantry Badge or the Combat Medic Badge as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof that they have received either the Combat Infantry Badge or the Combat Medic Badge.

(30) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Knights of Columbus as follows:

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the Knights of Columbus to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to the fifteenth day of January, two thousand seven.

(31) The division may issue special registration plates to former members of the Legislature as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of former service as an elected or appointed member of the West Virginia House of Delegates or the West Virginia Senate.

(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section. The design of the plate shall indicate total years of service in the Legislature.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(32) Democratic state or county executive committee member special registration plates:

(A) The division shall design and issue special registration plates for use by democratic state or county executive committee members. The design of the plates shall include an insignia of a donkey and shall differentiate by wording on the plate between state and county executive committee members.

(B) An annual fee of twenty-five dollars shall be charged for each democratic state or county executive committee member registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for each special plate issued under this subdivision shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.

(D) The division shall not begin production of a plate authorized under the provisions of this subdivision until the division receives at least one hundred completed applications from the state or county executive committee members, including all fees required pursuant to this subdivision.

(E) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the democratic executive committee to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to the fifteenth day of January, two thousand five.

(33) The division may issue honorably discharged female veterans special registration plates as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any female honorably discharged veteran, of any branch of the armed services of the United States, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as a woman veteran.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(34) The division may issue special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words demonstrating association with West Liberty State College to any resident owner of a motor vehicle. Resident owners may apply for the special license plate for any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the applicant. The special registration plates shall be designed by the commissioner. Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of fifteen dollars, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special educator registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the division and deposited into a special revolving fund to be used for the purpose of compensating the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and for the administration of this section.

(35) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Harley Owners Group as follows:

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(36) The division may issue special registration plates for persons retired from any branch of the armed services of the United States as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any person who has retired after service in any branch of the armed services of the United States, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as retired from the armed services of the United States.

(B) A special initial application fee of ten dollars shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of a special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any registrants from any other provision of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's retired military license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(37) The division may issue special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words demonstrating association with or support for Fairmont State College as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(38) The division may issue special registration plates honoring the farmers of West Virginia as follows:

(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of West Virginia may apply for a special license plate depicting a farming scene or other apt reference to farming, whether in pictures or words, at the discretion of the commissioner.

(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(39) The division shall issue special registration plates promoting education as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue a special registration plate displaying a children's education-related theme as prescribed and designated by the commissioner and the State Superintendent of Schools.

(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section exempts the applicant for a special registration plate under this subdivision from any other provision of this chapter.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(40) The division may issue members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association special registration plates as follows:

(A) The division may issue a special registration plate for members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association upon receipt of a guarantee from the organization of a minimum of one hundred applicants. The insignia on the plate shall be designed by the commissioner.

(B) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association in good standing, as determined by the governing body of the organization, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) The division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars for each special license plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt the applicant from any other provision of this chapter.

(D) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's special 82nd Airborne Division Association registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate.

(41) The division may issue special registration plates to survivors of wounds received in the line of duty as a member with a West Virginia law-enforcement agency.

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to any member of a municipal police department, sheriff's department, the State Police or the law-enforcement division of the Division of Natural Resources who has been wounded in the line of duty and awarded a purple heart in recognition thereof by the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association, the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the West Virginia Troopers Association or the Division of Natural Resources a special registration plate for one vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia appropriately designed by the commissioner.

(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from the registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.

(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's special registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the plate.

(D) Survivors of wounds received in the line of duty as a member with a West Virginia law-enforcement agency may obtain a license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.

(42) The division may issue a special registration plate for persons who are Native Americans and residents of this state.

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue to an applicant who is a Native American resident of West Virginia a registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as a Native American.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(43) The division may issue special registration plates commemorating the centennial anniversary of the creation of Davis and Elkins College as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Davis and Elkins College for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the applicant.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(44) The division may issue special registration plates recognizing and honoring breast cancer survivors.

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner to recognize and honor breast cancer survivors, such plate to incorporate somewhere in the design the "pink ribbon emblem", for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the applicant.

(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(45) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Knights of Pythias or Pythian Sisters as follows:

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(46) The commissioner may issue special registration plates for whitewater rafting enthusiasts as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(47) The division may issue special registration plates to members of Lions International as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner in consultation with Lions International for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in Lions International.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(48) The division may issue special registration plates supporting organ donation as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner which recognizes, supports and honors organ and tissue donors and includes the words "Donate Life".

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(49) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the West Virginia Bar Association as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner in consultation with the West Virginia Bar Association for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the West Virginia Bar Association.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(50) The division may issue special registration plates bearing an appropriate logo, symbol or insignia combined with the words "SHARE THE ROAD" designed to promote bicycling in the state as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the applicant.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(51) The division may issue special registration plates honoring coal miners as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue a special registration plate depicting and displaying coal miners in mining activities as prescribed and designated by the commissioner and the board of the National Coal Heritage Area Authority.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(52) The division may issue special registration plates to present and former Boy Scouts as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of present or past membership in the Boy Scouts as either a member or a leader.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(53) The division may issue special registration plates to present and former Boy Scouts who have achieved Eagle Scout status as follows:

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(54) The division may issue special registration plates recognizing and memorializing victims of domestic violence.

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner to recognize and memorialize victims of domestic violence, such plate to incorporate somewhere in the design the "purple ribbon emblem", for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the applicant.

(B) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(55) The division may issue special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words demonstrating association with or support for the University of Charleston as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(56) The division may issue special registration plates to members of the Sons of the American Revolution as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner in consultation with the Sons of the American Revolution for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.

(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(57) The commissioner may issue special registration plates for horse enthusiasts as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(58) The commissioner may issue special registration plates to the next of kin of a member of any branch of the armed services of the United States killed in combat as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division shall issue a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of a qualified applicant depicting the Gold Star awarded by the United States Department of Defense as prescribed and designated by the commissioner.

(B) The next of kin shall provide sufficient proof of receiving a Gold Star lapel button from the United States Department of Defense in accordance with Public Law 534, 89th Congress, and criteria established by the United States Department of Defense, including criteria to determine next of kin.

(C) The division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.

(D) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section are not applicable for the issuance of the special license plates designated by this subdivision.

(59) The commissioner may issue special registration plates for retired or former Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia as follows:

(A) Upon appropriate application, the division may issue a special registration plate designed by the commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.

(C) The division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(D) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section are not applicable for the issuance of the special license plates designated by this subdivision.

(d) The minimum number of applications required prior to design and production of a special license plate shall be as follows:

(1) The commissioner may not begin the design or production of any license plates for which eligibility is based on membership or affiliation with a particular private organization until at least one hundred persons complete an application and deposit with the organization a check to cover the first year's basic registration, one-time design and manufacturing costs and to cover the first year additional annual fee. If the organization fails to submit the required number of applications with attached checks within six months of the effective date of the authorizing legislation, the plate will not be produced and will require legislative reauthorization: Provided, That an organization or group that is unsuccessful in obtaining the minimum number of applications may not request reconsideration of a special plate until at least two years have passed since the effective date of the original authorization.

(2) The commissioner may not begin the design or production of any license plates authorized by this section for which membership or affiliation with a particular organization is not required until at least two hundred fifty registrants complete an application and deposit a fee with the division to cover the first year's basic registration fee, one-time design and manufacturing fee and additional annual fee if applicable. If the commissioner fails to receive the required number of applications within six months of the effective date of the authorizing legislation, the plate will not be produced and will require legislative reauthorization: Provided, That if the minimum number of applications is not satisfied within the six months of the effective date of the authorizing legislation, a person may not request reconsideration of a special plate until at least two years have passed since the effective date of the original authorization.

(e)(1) Nothing in this section requires a charge for a free prisoner of war license plate or a free recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor license plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant as authorized by other provisions of this code.

(2) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's prisoner of war license plate or Congressional Medal of Honor license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.

(3) Qualified former prisoners of war and recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor may obtain a second special registration plate for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second special plate.

(f) The division may issue special ten-year registration plates as follows:

(1) The commissioner may issue or renew for a period of no more than ten years any registration plate exempted from registration fees pursuant to any provision of this code or any restricted use antique motor vehicle license plate authorized by section three-a, article ten of this chapter: Provided, That the provisions of this subsection do not apply to any person who has had a special registration suspended for failure to maintain motor vehicle liability insurance as required by section three, article two-a, chapter seventeen-d of this code or failure to pay personal property taxes as required by section three-a of this article.

(2) An initial nonrefundable fee shall be charged for each special registration plate issued pursuant to this subsection, which is the total amount of fees required by section fifteen, article ten of this chapter, section three, article three of this chapter or section three-a, article ten of this chapter for the period requested.

(g) The provisions of this section may not be construed to exempt any registrant from maintaining motor vehicle liability insurance as required by section three, article two-a, chapter seventeen-d of this code or from paying personal property taxes on any motor vehicle as required by section three-a of this article.

(h) The commissioner may, in his or her discretion, issue a registration plate of reflectorized material suitable for permanent use on motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers, together with appropriate devices to be attached to the registration to indicate the year for which the vehicles have been properly registered or the date of expiration of the registration. The design and expiration of the plates shall be determined by the commissioner. The commissioner shall, whenever possible and cost-effective, implement the latest technology in the design, production and issuance of registration plates, indices of registration renewal and vehicle ownership documents, including, but not limited to, offering internet renewal of vehicle registration and the use of bar codes for instant identification of vehicles by scanning equipment to promote the efficient and effective coordination and communication of data for improving highway safety, aiding law enforcement and enhancing revenue collection.

(i) Any license plate issued or renewed pursuant to this chapter which is paid for by a check that is returned for nonsufficient funds is void without further notice to the applicant. The applicant may not reinstate the registration until the returned check is paid by the applicant in cash, money order or certified check and all applicable fees assessed as a result thereof have been paid.

§17A-3-23. Registration plates to state, county, municipal and other governmental vehicles; use for undercover activities.

(a) Any motor vehicle designed to carry passengers, owned or leased by the State of West Virginia, or any of its departments, bureaus, commissions or institutions, except vehicles used by the Governor, Treasurer, three vehicles per elected office of the Board of Public Works, vehicles operated by the State Police, not to exceed five vehicles operated by the office of the Secretary of Military Affairs and Public Safety, not to exceed five vehicles operated by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, vehicles operated by conservation officers of the Division of Natural Resources, not to exceed ten vehicles operated by the arson investigators of the office of State Fire Marshal, not to exceed two vehicles operated by the Division of Protective Services and not to exceed sixteen vehicles operated by inspectors of the office of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner, may not be operated or driven by any person unless it has displayed and attached to the front thereof, in the same manner as regular motor vehicle registration plates are attached, a plate of the same size as the regular registration plate, with white lettering on a green background bearing the words "West Virginia" in one line and the words "State Car" in another line and the lettering for the words "State Car" shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of one hundred feet during daylight.

The vehicle shall also have attached to the rear a plate bearing a number and any other words and figures as the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall prescribe. The rear plate shall also be green with the number in white.

(b) On registration plates issued to vehicles owned by counties, the color shall be white on red with the word "County" on top of the plate and the words "West Virginia" on the bottom. On any registration plates issued to a city or municipality, the color shall be white on blue with the word "City" on top and the words "West Virginia" on the bottom: Provided, That after the thirty-first day of December, two thousand six, registration plates issued to a city or municipality law-enforcement department shall include blue lettering on a white background with the word "West Virginia" on top of the plate and shall be further designed by the commissioner to include a law enforcement shield together with other insignia or lettering sufficient to identify the motor vehicle as a municipal law enforcement department motor vehicle. The colors may not be reversed and shall be of reflectorized material. The registration plates issued to counties, municipalities and other governmental agencies authorized to receive colored plates hereunder shall be affixed to both the front and rear of the vehicles. Every municipality shall provide the commissioner with a list of law- enforcement vehicles operated by the law-enforcement department of the municipality, unless otherwise provided in this section, and a fee of ten dollars for each vehicle submitted by the first day of July, two thousand six.

(c) Registration plates issued to vehicles operated by county sheriffs shall be designed by the commissioner in cooperation with the sheriffs' association with the word "Sheriff" on top of the plate and the words "West Virginia" on the bottom. The plate shall contain a gold shield representing the sheriff's star and a number assigned to that plate by the commissioner. Every county sheriff shall provide the commissioner with a list of vehicles operated by the sheriff, unless otherwise provided in this section, and a fee of ten dollars for each vehicle submitted by the first day of July, two thousand two.

(d) The commissioner is authorized to designate the colors and design of any other registration plates that are issued without charge to any other agency in accordance with the motor vehicle laws.

(e) Upon application, the commissioner is authorized to issue a maximum of five Class A license plates per applicant to be used by county sheriffs and municipalities on law-enforcement vehicles while engaged in undercover investigations.

(f) The commissioner is authorized to issue an unlimited number of license plates per applicant to authorized drug and violent crime task forces in the State of West Virginia when the chairperson of the control group of a drug and violent crime task force signs a written affidavit stating that the vehicle or vehicles for which the plates are being requested will be used only for official undercover work conducted by a drug and violent crime task force.

(g) The commissioner is authorized to issue twenty Class A license plates to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Department of Revenue for use by its investigators.

(h) The commissioner may issue a maximum of ten Class A license plates to the Division of Natural Resources for use by conservation officers. The commissioner shall designate the color and design of the registration plates to be displayed on the front and the rear of all other state-owned vehicles owned by the Division of Natural Resources and operated by conservation officers.

(I) The commissioner is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class A license plates to the Commission on Special Investigations for state-owned vehicles used for official undercover work conducted by the Commission on Special Investigations. The commissioner is authorized to issue a maximum of two Class A plates to the Division of Protective Services for state-owned vehicles used by the Division of Protective Services in fulfilling its mission.

(j) No other registration plate may be issued for, or attached to, any state-owned vehicle.

(k) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall have a sufficient number of both front and rear plates produced to attach to all state-owned cars. The numbered registration plates for the vehicles shall start with the number "five hundred" and the commissioner shall issue consecutive numbers for all state-owned cars.

(l) It is the duty of each office, department, bureau, commission or institution furnished any vehicle to have plates as described herein affixed thereto prior to the operation of the vehicle by any official or employee.

(m) The commissioner may issue special registration plates for motor vehicles titled in the name of the Division of Public Transit or in the name of a public transit authority as defined in this subsection and operated by a public transit authority or a public transit provider to transport persons in the public interest. For purposes of this subsection, "public transit authority" means an urban mass transportation authority created pursuant to the provisions of article twenty-seven, chapter eight of this code or a nonprofit entity exempt from federal and state income taxes under the Internal Revenue Code and whose purpose is to provide mass transportation to the public at large. The special registration plate shall be designed by the commissioner and shall display the words "public transit" or words or letters of similar effect to indicate the public purpose of the use of the vehicle. The special registration plate shall be issued without charge.
(n) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars. Magistrates shall have concurrent jurisdiction with circuit and criminal courts for the enforcement of this section.