Montana Code Annotated
Part 4. Special Registration
61-3-474. Responsibility for design of generic specialty license plates -- numbering -- approval -- registration decal -- listing of plate sponsors

61-3-474. Responsibility for design of generic specialty license plates -- numbering -- approval -- registration decal -- listing of plate sponsors. (1) The department shall:
(a) design the background and general format of generic specialty license plates, including ensuring the readability of a generic specialty license plate design;
(b) in consultation with the department of corrections, determine which license plate processing system is the most efficient and versatile manufacturing method for the production of generic specialty license plates; and
(c) use a numbering system for generic specialty license plates that is distinctive from the numbering system required under 61-3-332 or used for collegiate license plates.
(2) All sponsor names, identifying phrases, and graphics intended for use on generic specialty license plates must be approved by the department prior to the manufacture of the plates.
(3) Upon the issuance of generic specialty license plates, a registration decal must be affixed to the license plates as provided in 61-3-332.
(4) The department shall maintain a list of the sponsors that have been approved to promote the sale and issuance of generic specialty license plates, the initial distribution date for sale of each sponsored generic specialty license plate, and the donation fee established by the sponsor for each sponsored generic specialty license plate. The department shall, upon request, make copies of this list available to interested members of the public.
(5) The department shall revoke its previous approval of a sponsor's generic specialty license plate sponsorship if:
(a) the sponsor fails to comply with the provisions of 61-3-472 through 61-3-481;
(b) within 3 years of the date of the initial distribution of the sponsored generic specialty license plate, fewer than 400 sets of a sponsor's generic specialty license plate have been sold or renewed;
(c) any time after 3 years following the date of the initial distribution of the sponsored generic specialty license plate, there are fewer than 400 sets of the sponsored generic specialty license plate with a current registration; or
(d) the department has reliable information that the sponsor is no longer qualified for sponsorship under 61-3-472 through 61-3-481.
(6) (a) Upon revocation of a sponsor's generic specialty license plate sponsorship status, the issuance and sale of the sponsor's generic specialty license plates must be terminated.
(b) A person who owns a motor vehicle displaying valid generic specialty license plates affiliated with a sponsor whose sponsorship status has been revoked may continue to display those generic specialty license plates on the person's motor vehicle until the motor vehicle's registration is renewed.
(c) Following revocation of a sponsor's sponsorship status, the department may not issue replacements or duplicates of generic specialty license plates affiliated with that sponsor.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 402, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 280, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 37, Ch. 592, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 107, Ch. 542, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 86, Ch. 596, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 41, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 295, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 335, L. 2019.

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