1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Department, in cooperation with the Nevada State Firefighters’ Association or its successor, shall design, prepare and issue license plates that recognize current or former service as a volunteer firefighter using any colors and designs which the Department deems appropriate. The Department shall not design, prepare or issue the license plates unless it receives at least 250 applications for the issuance of those plates.

2. The Department shall issue license plates that recognize current or former service as a volunteer firefighter for a passenger car or a light commercial vehicle upon application by a qualified person who is entitled to license plates pursuant to NRS 482.265 and who otherwise complies with the requirements for registration and licensing pursuant to this chapter. A person may request that personalized prestige license plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667 be combined with license plates that recognize current or former service as a volunteer firefighter if that person pays the fees for the personalized prestige license plates in addition to the fees for the license plates that recognize current or former service as a volunteer firefighter.

3. An application for the issuance or renewal of license plates that recognize current or former service as a volunteer firefighter is void unless it is accompanied by documentation which, in the determination of the Department, provides reasonable proof of the identity of the applicant and proof of the applicant’s current service as a volunteer firefighter or status as a former volunteer firefighter who retired from service as a volunteer firefighter within this State after completing at least 10 years of active service. Proof of an applicant’s current or former service as a volunteer firefighter must consist of:

(a) An identification card which indicates that the applicant currently serves as a volunteer firefighter; or

(b) A letter from the chief officer of a volunteer or combination fire department certifying the applicant’s current or former service as a volunteer firefighter.

4. The fee payable to the Department for license plates that recognize current or former service as a volunteer firefighter is $35, in addition to all other applicable registration and license fees and governmental services taxes. The license plates are renewable upon the payment to the Department of $10 in addition to all other applicable registration and license fees and governmental services taxes.

5. In addition to all other applicable registration and license fees and governmental services taxes and the fees prescribed in subsection 4, a person who requests a set of license plates that recognize current or former service as a volunteer firefighter must pay for the initial issuance of the plates an additional fee of $25 and for each renewal of the plates an additional fee of $20 to support the training of volunteer firefighters.

6. The Department shall deposit the fees collected pursuant to subsection 5 with the State Treasurer for credit to the State General Fund. The State Treasurer shall account separately for the money deposited pursuant to this subsection and reserve such money for expenditure by the State Fire Marshal in accordance with this subsection. The State Fire Marshal may expend the money reserved pursuant to this subsection solely for the support of, and to pay expenses related to, training for volunteer firefighters provided by or as directed by the Board of Directors of the Nevada State Firefighters’ Association or its successor.

7. If, during a registration period, the holder of license plates issued pursuant to the provisions of this section disposes of the vehicle to which the plates are affixed, the holder shall:

(a) Retain the plates and affix them to another vehicle that meets the requirements of this section if the transfer and registration fees are paid as set out in this chapter; or

(b) Within 30 days after removing the plates from the vehicle, return them to the Department.

8. As used in this section:

(a) “Combination fire department” means a fire department that is:

(1) Served by both volunteer and full-time salaried firefighters; and

(2) Recognized as such by the State Fire Marshal.

(b) “Volunteer fire department” means a fire department recognized as a bona fide volunteer fire department by the State Fire Marshal.

(c) “Volunteer firefighter” means a person who serves actively in an unpaid capacity in a volunteer or combination fire department within this State as a firefighter for the benefit or safety of the public.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 1508; A 2013, 2839)