Chapter 293 Oregon Laws 2001

 

AN ACT

 

HB 2133

 

Relating to motor vehicles; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 803.015, 803.016, 803.350, 803.415, 803.420, 805.115 and 815.300.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

          SECTION 1. ORS 803.015 is amended to read:

          803.015. The Department of Transportation shall design a certificate of title for vehicles for situations in which the department determines that certificates will be issued. A certificate of title issued by the department shall conform to all of the following:

          (1) The certificate shall be numbered in a manner prescribed by the department.

          (2) The certificate shall contain a description of the vehicle.

          (3) The certificate shall contain evidence of identification of the vehicle the department deems proper.

          (4) The certificate shall contain the name of the owner of the vehicle.

          (5) The certificate shall identify any security interest holders in the order of their priority. This subsection does not apply to the security interests where the debtor who granted the security interest is in the business of selling vehicles and the vehicle constitutes inventory held for sale.

          (6) The certificate shall identify any lessor of the vehicle.

          (7) The certificate shall be authenticated by a seal of the State of Oregon printed on the certificate.

          (8) The certificate shall have space to fill in information required by the department upon the transfer of a vehicle under ORS 803.094 and space for the odometer disclosure required on transfer of an interest under ORS 803.102.

          (9) If the vehicle is a reconstructed vehicle, the certificate shall:

          (a) Show the original year model and make of the vehicle.

          (b) Indicate that the vehicle is reconstructed. A certificate of title shall not indicate that a vehicle is reconstructed as otherwise required by this paragraph if the reconstructed vehicle is an antique vehicle.

          (10) If the vehicle is an assembled vehicle, the certificate shall:

          (a) Show the make of the vehicle as “assembled.”

          (b) Show the year the building of the vehicle is completed as the year model of the vehicle.

          (11) The certificate shall show the mileage of the vehicle as reported to the department at the time the most recent title transfer was reported to the department, or the mileage reported to the department at the time the vehicle was initially titled in Oregon, whichever occurred last. The information required by this subsection shall be shown as reported to the department on odometer disclosure reports required by law to be submitted to the department.

          (12) If the vehicle is a replica, the certificate shall indicate that the vehicle is a replica.

          [(13) The certificate shall contain a notation that a vehicle has been damaged if the vehicle is from another jurisdiction and:]

          [(a) The title from the other jurisdiction carries a brand or notation that indicates that the vehicle was damaged, destroyed, salvaged or words of similar import, whether or not the definitions of such terms in the other jurisdiction are in accord with the definitions of those words in Oregon; or]

          [(b) The department receives a salvage title, salvage certificate, wrecker’s bill of sale or similar document or information that indicates the vehicle has been damaged.]

          [(14) The department shall adopt rules covering the content and circumstances under which the notation provided for in subsection (13) of this section is used.]

          [(15) The department may omit the notation or remove the notation provided for in subsection (13) of this section if:]

          [(a) The department is provided with information from the originating jurisdiction that indicates that its title incorrectly reflects a brand or notation;]

          [(b) The department is provided with information from the originating jurisdiction indicating that jurisdiction would not identify the vehicle as damaged; or]

          [(c) The department is satisfied the notation was placed on an Oregon title in error.]

          [(16) Notwithstanding subsection (15) of this section, if the department determines the vehicle in question meets Oregon requirements for assembled or reconstructed vehicles or replicas, the department shall title the vehicle in accordance with requirements for those vehicles.]

          [(17)] (13) If the vehicle has been reported to the department as a totaled vehicle under the provisions of ORS 819.012 or 819.014, the certificate shall contain the word “totaled” unless the reason for the report was theft and the vehicle has been recovered.

          [(18)] (14) The certificate shall contain any other information required by the department, including but not limited to brands or other notations the department requires.

          [(19)] (15) The certificate shall be produced by a secure process that meets or exceeds the requirements of federal law.

 

          SECTION 2. ORS 803.016 is amended to read:

          803.016. If title to a vehicle is not to be issued in the form of a certificate, the record of title kept by the Department of Transportation shall include all information required by ORS 803.015. Nothing in this section requires that title issued in a form other than a certificate:

          (1) Be numbered as required by ORS 803.015 (1);

          (2) Be authenticated as required by ORS 803.015 (7);

          (3) Have the space required by ORS 803.015 (8); or

          (4) Be produced by a secure process as required by ORS 803.015 [(19)] (15).

 

          SECTION 3. ORS 803.350 is amended to read:

          803.350. This section establishes the requirements for qualification for registration. The Department of Transportation shall not issue registration to a vehicle if the requirements under this section are not met. The department, in the absence of just cause for refusing to register a vehicle upon application, shall assign a distinctive number or other distinctive means of identification and shall issue registration for a vehicle if all of the following requirements are met:

          (1) The applicant applies for and is granted title in the applicant’s name at the same time the person makes application for registration, or presents satisfactory evidence that title covering the vehicle has been previously issued to the applicant.

          (2) The applicant completes an application described under ORS 803.370. If the vehicle is a reconstructed or assembled vehicle or a replica, the person must indicate that fact in the application or be subject to ORS 803.225.

          (3) The applicant pays the department the registration fee established under ORS 803.420 and any applicable fees for issuance of registration plates.

          (4) For motor vehicles, proof of compliance with pollution control equipment requirements is provided to the department. Proof required to comply with this subsection is described under ORS 815.310. This subsection does not apply if the vehicle is exempt from the requirements for proof of compliance under ORS 815.300.

          (5) The applicant is domiciled in this state, as described in ORS 803.355, if required by ORS 803.360 to be domiciled in the state in order to register a vehicle. If the department has reason to believe that the applicant is not domiciled in this state and is required to be in order to register a vehicle, the department may require the person to submit proof of domicile. The department shall determine by rule what constitutes proof of domicile.

          (6) The applicant owns a vehicle that qualifies under ORS 803.360 (2) for registration in this state, if the owner is not domiciled in this state and is not required by ORS 803.200, or any other provision of law, to register the vehicle in this state.

          (7) The applicant surrenders all evidence of any former registration or title as required by ORS 803.380.

          (8) If required to do so by the department, the applicant provides the department with satisfactory proof that the vehicle was designed to be operated on highways and meets equipment requirements imposed by statute or rule for the lawful operation of a vehicle on highways. The department may adopt rules specifying the kinds of vehicles that are subject to this subsection and what constitutes satisfactory proof under this subsection.

 

          SECTION 4. Section 5 of this 2001 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 801.

 

          SECTION 5. “Low-speed vehicle” means a four wheeled motor vehicle with a top speed of more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour.

 

          SECTION 6. ORS 803.420 is amended to read:

          803.420. This section establishes registration fees for vehicles. If there is uncertainty as to the classification of a vehicle for purposes of the payment of registration fees under the vehicle code, the Department of Transportation may classify the vehicle to assure that registration fees for the vehicle are the same as for vehicles the department determines to be comparable. The registration fees for the vehicle shall be those based on the classification determined by the department. The fees described in this section are for an entire registration period for the vehicle as described under ORS 803.415, unless the vehicle is registered quarterly. The department shall apportion any fee under this section to reflect the number of quarters registered for a vehicle registered for a quarterly registration period under ORS 803.415. The fees are payable when a vehicle is registered and upon renewal of registration. Except as provided in ORS 801.041 (3) and 801.042 (7), the fee shall be increased by any amount established by the governing body of a county or by the governing body of a district, as defined in ORS 801.237 under ORS 801.041 or 801.042 as an additional registration fee for the vehicle. The fees for registration of vehicles are as follows:

          (1) Vehicles not otherwise provided for in this section or ORS 820.580 or 821.320, $30.

          (2) Mopeds, $9.

          (3) Motorcycles, $9.

          (4) Government-owned vehicles registered under ORS 805.040, $2.

          (5) State-owned vehicles registered under ORS 805.045, $2 on registration or renewal.

          (6) Undercover vehicles registered under ORS 805.060, $2 on registration or renewal.

          (7) Antique vehicles registered under ORS 805.010, $30.

          (8) Vehicles of special interest registered under ORS 805.020, $45.

          (9) Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that use electricity and another source of motive power, as follows:

          (a) The registration fee for an electric or hybrid vehicle not otherwise described in this subsection is $60.

          (b) The registration fee for electric or hybrid vehicles that have two or three wheels is $30. This paragraph does not apply to electric or hybrid mopeds. Electric or hybrid mopeds are subject to the same registration fee as otherwise provided for mopeds under this section.

          (c) The registration fees for the following electric or hybrid vehicles are the same as for comparable nonelectric vehicles described in this section plus 50 percent of such fee:

          (A) Motor homes.

          (B) Commercial buses.

          (C) Vehicles registered as farm vehicles under ORS 805.300.

          (D) Vehicles required to establish registration weight under ORS 803.430 or 826.013.

          (10) Motor vehicles required to establish a registration weight under ORS 803.430 or 826.013, and commercial buses as provided in the following chart, based upon the weight submitted in the declaration of weight prepared under ORS 803.435 or 826.015:

______________________________________________________________________________

 

     Weight in Pounds              Fee

 

   8,000   or         less             $    15

   8,001   to   10,000               110

10,001   to   12,000               125

12,001   to   14,000               140

14,001   to   16,000               155

16,001   to   18,000               170

18,001   to   20,000               190

20,001   to   22,000               205

22,001   to   24,000               225

24,001   to   26,000               245

26,001   to   28,000                120

28,001   to   30,000                125

30,001   to   32,000                135

32,001   to   34,000                140

34,001   to   36,000                150

36,001   to   38,000                155

38,001   to   40,000                165

40,001   to   42,000                170

42,001   to   44,000                180

44,001   to   46,000                185

46,001   to   48,000                190

48,001   to   50,000                200

50,001   to   52,000                210

52,001   to   54,000                215

54,001   to   56,000                220

56,001   to   58,000                230

58,001   to   60,000                240

60,001   to   62,000                250

62,001   to   64,000                260

64,001   to   66,000                265

66,001   to   68,000                275

68,001   to   70,000                280

70,001   to   72,000                290

72,001   to   74,000                295

74,001   to   76,000                305

76,001   to   78,000                310

78,001   to   80,000                320

80,001   to   82,000                325

82,001   to   84,000                335

84,001   to   86,000                340

86,001   to   88,000                350

88,001   to   90,000                355

90,001   to   92,000                365

92,001   to   94,000                370

94,001   to   96,000                380

96,001   to   98,000                385

98,001   to 100,000                390

100,001  to 102,000                400

102,001  to 104,000                405

104,001  to 105,500                415

______________________________________________________________________________

 

          (11)(a) Motor vehicles with a registration weight of more than 8,000 pounds that are described in ORS 825.015, that are operated by a charitable organization as described in ORS 825.017 (15), that are certified under ORS 822.205 or that are used exclusively to transport manufactured structures, as provided in the following chart:

______________________________________________________________________________

 

     Weight in Pounds              Fee

 

   8,001   to   10,000             $    50

10,001   to   12,000                  60

12,001   to   14,000                  65

14,001   to   16,000                  75

16,001   to   18,000                  80

18,001   to   20,000                  90

20,001   to   22,000                  95

22,001   to   24,000                105

24,001   to   26,000                110

26,001   to   28,000                120

28,001   to   30,000                125

30,001   to   32,000                135

32,001   to   34,000                140

34,001   to   36,000                150

36,001   to   38,000                155

38,001   to   40,000                165

40,001   to   42,000                170

42,001   to   44,000                180

44,001   to   46,000                185

46,001   to   48,000                190

48,001   to   50,000                200

50,001   to   52,000                210

52,001   to   54,000                215

54,001   to   56,000                220

56,001   to   58,000                230

58,001   to   60,000                240

60,001   to   62,000                250

62,001   to   64,000                260

64,001   to   66,000                265

66,001   to   68,000                275

68,001   to   70,000                280

70,001   to   72,000                290

72,001   to   74,000                295

74,001   to   76,000                305

76,001   to   78,000                310

78,001   to   80,000                320

80,001   to   82,000                325

82,001   to   84,000                335

84,001   to   86,000                340

86,001   to   88,000                350

88,001   to   90,000                355

90,001   to   92,000                365

92,001   to   94,000                370

94,001   to   96,000                380

96,001   to   98,000                385

98,001   to 100,000                390

100,001  to 102,000                400

102,001  to 104,000                405

104,001  to 105,500                415

______________________________________________________________________________

 

          (b) The owner of a vehicle described in paragraph (a) of this subsection must certify at the time of initial registration, in a manner determined by the department by rule, that the motor vehicle will be used exclusively to transport manufactured structures or exclusively as described in ORS 822.210, 825.015 or 825.017 (15). Registration of a vehicle described in paragraph (a) of this subsection is invalid if the vehicle is operated in any manner other than that described in the certification under this paragraph.

          (12) Trailers registered under permanent registration, $10.

          (13) Fixed load vehicles as follows:

          (a) If a declaration of weight described under ORS 803.435 is submitted establishing the weight of the vehicle at 3,000 pounds or less, $30.

          (b) If no declaration of weight is submitted or if the weight of the vehicle is in excess of 3,000 pounds, $75.

          (14) Trailers for hire that are equipped with pneumatic tires made of an elastic material and that are not travel trailers, manufactured structures or trailers registered under permanent registration, $15.

          (15) Trailers registered as part of a fleet under an agreement reached pursuant to ORS 802.500, the same as the fee for vehicles of the same type registered under other provisions of the Oregon Vehicle Code.

          (16) Travel trailers, campers and motor homes as follows, based on length as determined under ORS 803.425:

          (a) For travel trailers or campers that are 6 to 10 feet in length, $54.

          (b) For travel trailers or campers over 10 feet in length, $54 plus $4.50 a foot for each foot of length over the first 10 feet.

          (c) For motor homes that are 6 to 10 feet in length, $84.

          [(c)] (d) For motor homes over 10 feet in length, $84 plus $5 a foot for each foot of length over the first 10 feet.

          (17) Special use trailers as follows, based on length as determined under ORS 803.425:

          (a) For lengths 6 to 10 feet, $30.

          (b) For special use trailers over 10 feet in length, $30 plus $3 a foot for each foot of length over the first 10 feet.

          (18) Fees for vehicles with proportional registration under ORS 826.009, or proportioned fleet registration under ORS 826.011, are as provided for vehicles of the same type under this section except that the fees shall be fixed on an apportioned basis as provided under the agreement established under ORS 826.007.

          (19) For any vehicle that is registered under a quarterly registration period, a minimum of $15 for each quarter registered plus an additional fee of $1.

          (20) In addition to any other fees charged for registration of vehicles in fleets under ORS 805.120, the department may charge the following fees:

          (a) A $2 service charge for each vehicle entered into a fleet.

          (b) A $1 service charge for each vehicle in the fleet at the time of renewal.

          (21) The registration fee for vehicles with special registration for disabled veterans under ORS 805.100 is a fee of $15.

          (22) The registration fee for manufactured structures is as provided in ORS 820.580.

          (23) Subject to subsection (19) of this section, the registration fee for motor vehicles registered as farm vehicles under ORS 805.300 is as follows based upon the registration weight given in the declaration of weight submitted under ORS 803.435:

______________________________________________________________________________

 

     Weight in Pounds              Fee

 

   8,000   or         less             $    15

   8,001   to   10,000                  30

10,001   to   12,000                  35

12,001   to   14,000                  45

14,001   to   16,000                  50

16,001   to   18,000                  60

18,001   to   20,000                  65

20,001   to   22,000                  75

22,001   to   24,000                  80

24,001   to   26,000                  90

26,001   to   28,000                  95

28,001   to   30,000                105

30,001   to   32,000                110

32,001   to   34,000                120

34,001   to   36,000                125

36,001   to   38,000                135

38,001   to   40,000                140

40,001   to   42,000                150

42,001   to   44,000                155

44,001   to   46,000                165

46,001   to   48,000                170

48,001   to   50,000                180

50,001   to   52,000                185

52,001   to   54,000                190

54,001   to   56,000                200

56,001   to   58,000                210

58,001   to   60,000                215

60,001   to   62,000                220

62,001   to   64,000                230

64,001   to   66,000                240

66,001   to   68,000                245

68,001   to   70,000                250

70,001   to   72,000                260

72,001   to   74,000                265

74,001   to   76,000                275

76,001   to   78,000                280

78,001   to   80,000                290

80,001   to   82,000                295

82,001   to   84,000                305

84,001   to   86,000                310

86,001   to   88,000                320

88,001   to   90,000                325

90,001   to   92,000                335

92,001   to   94,000                340

94,001   to   96,000                350

96,001   to   98,000                355

98,001   to 100,000                365

100,001  to 102,000                370

102,001  to 104,000                380

104,001  to 105,500                385

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

          (24) The registration fee for school vehicles registered under ORS 805.050 is $7.50.

          (25) The registration fee for a low-speed vehicle is $60.

 

          SECTION 7. Section 8 of this 2001 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 811.

 

          SECTION 8. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawfully operating a low-speed vehicle on a highway if the person operates a low-speed vehicle on a highway that has a speed limit or posted speed of more than 35 miles per hour.

          (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a city or county may adopt an ordinance allowing operation of low-speed vehicles on city streets or county roads that have speed limits or posted speeds of more than 35 miles per hour.

          (3) The offense described in this section, unlawfully operating a low-speed vehicle on a highway, is a Class B traffic violation.

 

          SECTION 9. ORS 803.415 is amended to read:

          803.415. This section establishes registration periods for vehicles. The registration periods are periods described under ORS 803.400. Except as provided in the following, the registration period for any vehicle registered in this state by the Department of Transportation is a biennial registration period:

          (1) The following vehicles have permanent registration:

          (a) Antique vehicles registered under ORS 805.010.

          (b) Vehicles of special interest registered under ORS 805.020.

          (c) Trailers that will be operated on the highways at a loaded weight of more than 8,000 pounds and are not travel trailers, manufactured structures, fixed load vehicles or special use trailers.

          (2) Government-owned vehicles registered under ORS 805.040 have ownership registration.

          (3) The following vehicles may be registered under annual or quarterly registration unless the vehicles are registered under proportional registration under ORS 826.009 or proportional fleet registration under ORS 826.011:

          (a) Vehicles required to establish a registration weight under ORS 803.430.

          (b) Commercial buses.

          (c) Vehicles registered as farm vehicles under ORS 805.300.

          (4) Snowmobiles are registered as provided in ORS 821.080.

          (5) Manufactured structures are registered as provided in ORS 820.500.

          (6) Vehicles operated by dealers who hold certificates under ORS 822.020 are as provided under ORS 822.040.

          (7) Trailers for hire that will be operated at a loaded weight of 8,000 pounds or less may be registered as follows:

          (a) Annual registration; or

          (b) If registered under an agreement pursuant to ORS 802.500, for a period of time determined as specified in the agreement or as determined by the department.

          (8) The registration period for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that use electricity and another source of motive power is a biennial registration period except that the registration period for the following electric or hybrid vehicles is an annual registration period:

          (a) Commercial buses.

          (b) Electric or hybrid vehicles registered as farm vehicles under ORS 805.300.

          (c) Vehicles required to establish registration weight under ORS 803.430.

          (9) Vehicles registered under ORS 805.100 have an ownership registration period.

          (10) School vehicles registered under ORS 805.050 have ownership registration except that the registration shall continue to be valid if ownership of the vehicle is transferred to a person who continues to use the vehicle for purposes authorized by ORS 805.050.

 

          SECTION 10. ORS 815.300 is amended to read:

          815.300. This section establishes exemptions from the requirements under ORS 815.295 to be equipped with a certified pollution control system. Exemptions established by this section are in addition to any exemptions established by ORS 801.026. The exemptions established in this section are also applicable to requirements for certification of pollution control equipment before registration under ORS 803.350 and 803.465. All of the following vehicles are exempt from the requirements under ORS 815.295:

          (1) Any vehicle that is not a motor vehicle.

          (2) Any vehicle unless the vehicle is registered within:

          (a) The boundaries of the metropolitan service district formed under ORS chapter 268 for the metropolitan area, as defined in ORS 268.020, which includes the City of Portland, Oregon.

          (b) Boundaries designated by the Environmental Quality Commission under ORS 468A.390.

          (3) Any new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine when the registration results from the initial retail sale thereof.

          (4) Any motor vehicle:

          (a) Not registered in areas designated under subsection (2)(a) of this section, including any expansion of such boundary under subsection (2)(b) of this section, with a model year that predates by more than 20 years the year in which registration or renewal of registration is required; or

          (b) Registered in areas designated under subsection (2)(a) of this section, including any expansion of such boundary under subsection (2)(b) of this section, with a model year of 1974 or earlier.

          (5) Motor vehicles that are registered as farm vehicles under ORS 805.300 or apportioned farm vehicles under ORS 805.300.

          (6) Special interest vehicles that are maintained as collectors’ items and used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar uses but not used primarily for the transportation of persons or property.

          (7) Fixed load vehicles.

          (8) Vehicles that are proportionally registered under ORS 826.009 and 826.011 in accordance with agreements established under ORS 826.007.

          (9) Electric motor vehicles. This subsection does not exempt hybrid motor vehicles that use electricity and another source of motive power.

          (10) First response rescue units operated by political subdivisions of this state that are not used to transport persons suffering from illness, injury or disability.

          (11) A vehicle that is currently registered in Oregon at the time application for new registration is received by the Department of Transportation if the new registration is a result of a change in the registration or plate type and the application is received at least four months prior to the expiration of the existing registration.

          (12) Golf carts.

          (13) Any Class I, Class II or Class III all-terrain vehicle.

          (14) An original equipment manufacturer vehicle that is engineered, designed, produced and warranted to use natural gas as its only fuel source.

 

          SECTION 11. ORS 805.115 is amended to read:

          805.115. (1) In the absence of just cause for refusal, the Department of Transportation shall provide for registration in a manner consistent with this section for persons who qualify under this section as active members of the Oregon National Guard. The special registration provisions under this section are subject to the following:

          (a) The fee to register or renew registration under this section shall be the regular registration fee for the vehicle.

          (b) Any motor vehicle registered under ORS 803.420 (1) and (16)(c) and (d) may be registered under this section.

          (2) A person is eligible for registration under this section if the person is issued a certificate by the Oregon Military Department certifying that the person is an active member of the Oregon National Guard.

          (3) The department may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any registration issued under this section if the department determines that the vehicle is owned by a person not qualified for registration under this section or that the vehicle is not eligible for registration under this section.

          (4) The Oregon Military Department shall notify the Department of Transportation within 30 days if a person issued a certificate described in subsection (2) of this section ceases to be an active member of the Oregon National Guard.

 

Approved by the Governor June 4, 2001

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 4, 2001

 

Effective date January 1, 2002

__________