A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the issuance of a limited registration plate notwithstanding civil penalties, fees, tolls, and obligations owed.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑50.4(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Delinquent Child Support Obligations. – Upon receiving a report from a child support enforcement agency that sanctions pursuant to G.S. 110‑142.2(a)(3) have been imposed, the Division shall refuse to register a vehicle for the owner named in the report until the Division receives certification pursuant to G.S. 110‑142.2 that the payments are no longer considered delinquent. Notwithstanding this subsection, a dealer licensed under Article 12 of this Chapter may on behalf of a person purchasing a vehicle obtain a limited registration plate pursuant to G.S. 20‑79.1A."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 20‑54 reads as rewritten:
"§ 20‑54.  Authority for refusing registration or certificate of title.
The Division shall refuse registration or issuance of a certificate of title or any transfer of registration upon any of the following grounds:
…
(6)	The vehicle is not in compliance with the inspection requirements of Part 2 of Article 3A of this Chapter or a civil penalty assessed as a result of the failure of the vehicle to comply with that Part has not been paid. Notwithstanding this subdivision, a dealer licensed under Article 12 of this Chapter may on behalf of a person purchasing a vehicle obtain a limited registration plate pursuant to G.S. 20‑79.1A.
…
(10)	The North Carolina Turnpike Authority has notified the Division that the owner of the vehicle has not paid the amount of tolls, fees, and civil penalties the owner owes the Authority for use of a Turnpike project. Notwithstanding this subdivision, a dealer licensed under Article 12 of this Chapter may on behalf of a person purchasing a vehicle obtain a limited registration plate pursuant to G.S. 20‑79.1A.
(11)	The Division has been notified (i) pursuant to G.S. 20‑217(g2) that the owner of the vehicle has failed to pay any fine imposed pursuant to G.S. 20‑217 or (ii) pursuant to G.S. 153A‑246(b)(14) that the owner of the vehicle has failed to pay a civil penalty due under G.S. 153A‑246. Notwithstanding this subdivision, a dealer licensed under Article 12 of this Chapter may on behalf of a person purchasing a vehicle obtain a limited registration plate pursuant to G.S. 20‑79.1A.
(12)	The owner of the vehicle has failed to pay any penalty or fee imposed pursuant to G.S. 20‑311. Notwithstanding this subdivision, a dealer licensed under Article 12 of this Chapter may on behalf of a person purchasing a vehicle obtain a limited registration plate pursuant to G.S. 20‑79.1A.
(13)	The Division has been notified by the State Highway Patrol that the owner of the vehicle has failed to pay any civil penalty and fees imposed by the State Highway Patrol for a violation of Part 9 of Article 3 of this Chapter. Notwithstanding this subdivision, a dealer licensed under Article 12 of this Chapter may on behalf of a person purchasing a vehicle obtain a limited registration plate pursuant to G.S. 20‑79.1A."
SECTION 3.  G.S. 20‑79.1A(a)(1) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Eligibility. – A limited registration plate is issuable to any of the following:
(1)	A person who applies, either directly or through a dealer licensed under Article 12 of this Chapter, for a title to a motor vehicle and a registration plate for the vehicle and who submits payment for the applicable title and registration fees but does not submit payment for any municipal corporation property taxes on the vehicle. A person who submits payment for municipal corporation property taxes receives an annual registration plate. A dealer shall notify the person purchasing a vehicle of any outstanding civil penalties, fees, tolls, and obligations owed before the dealer applies for a title to a motor vehicle and a registration plate for the vehicle under this section."
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.