SS/SCS/SB 847 - This act modifies provisions relating to vehicle registration.FARM FLEET VEHICLES (Section 301.033)
This act requires the Director of the Department of Revenue to establish a system of registration on an annual or biennial basis, applicable to all farm vehicles owned or purchased by the owner of a farm vehicle fleet. Any owner of more than one farm vehicle required to be registered may register a fleet of farm vehicles on an annual or biennial basis in lieu of standard registration periods.
All farm fleet vehicles shall be registered in April or on a prorated basis as provided in the act, and fees for farm fleet vehicles registered on a calendar year or biennial basis shall be payable not later than the last day of April, with 2 years' fees due for biennial registration. The act requires a certificate of inspection and approval issued no more than 120 days prior to registration. Fees for vehicles subsequently added to an existing farm vehicle fleet shall be prorated as specified in the act.
Farm vehicles registered under this act shall be issued a multi-year special license plate bearing the words "Farm Fleet Vehicle" and not requiring issuance of registration renewal tabs. Upon payment of the registration fees, the Director of the Department of Revenue shall issue a registration certificate or other suitable evidence that annual or biennial fees have been paid, which shall be carried in the vehicle at all times.
These provisions are similar to SB 112 (2023), provisions in SS/SB 762 (2022), provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/HB 661 (2021), HB 153 (2021), provisions in HCS/HB 601 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 4 (2021), provisions in HCS/SB 38 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 46 (2021), and provisions in HCS/SS/SB 89 (2021).
FLAT RATE VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES (Sections 301.055, 301.070, and 301.140)
This act replaces the current motor vehicle registration fees, based on horsepower, with a flat rate of $25, as well as establishes a single fee amount of $10 for motorcycles, motortricycles, and autocycles.
ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE REGISTRATION (Section 301.110)
Under this act, the Director of the Department of Revenue may stagger collection of alternative fuel decal fees and issuance of alternative fuel decals so that issuance coincides with vehicle registration. The act also provides that Director may issue a receipt of payment in lieu of a decal.
STAGGERING OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION PERIODS (Sections 301.142 and 301.147)
This act specifies that the Director of the Department of Revenue may stagger expiration dates for disabled person windshield placards (section 301.142), and for motor vehicle registrations (section 301.147.3), for the convenience of applicants.
VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS BASED ON MODEL YEAR (Sections 301.147, 307.350, and 643.315)
This act repeals a requirement that biennial vehicle registration be based on the vehicle's model year (section 301.147.1), as well as corresponding language in the requirements for vehicles to undergo safety inspections (section 307.350) and emissions inspections (section 643.315). Under the act, vehicles subject to safety or emissions inspections shall undergo the inspections prior to registration or renewal in any year.
VEHICLE DEALER ADMINISTRATIVE FEES (Section 301.558)
This act adds trailers and trailer dealers to the statute specifying that certain vehicle dealers may charge administrative fees in connection with the sale or lease of a vehicle.
VEHICLE DEALERS' VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS (Section 301.560)
This act repeals a provision exempting certain fees paid for certain vehicle dealers' vehicle registrations from deposit in the "Motor Vehicle Commission Fund". (Section 301.560.1(4)).
The act also specifies issuance of and fees for registration renewal tabs issued to certain vehicle dealers. (Section 301.560.3).
CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE (Section B)
Certain provisions of this act shall take effect as soon as technologically possible following the development and maintenance of the Department of Revenue's modernized, integrated motor vehicle registration and driver licensing system.
ERIC VANDER WEERD