Section 39-04-10.16 - Special vehicle license plates for volunteer emergency responders, volunteer firefighters, and volunteer search and rescue personnel1. As used in this section: a. "Fire department" means a certified city fire department, certified rural fire department, or certified fire protection district that has filed a certificate of existence under section 18-04-02.b. "Volunteer emergency responder" means an emergency medical services provider certified by the department of health and human services and the individual's squad leader for a continuous period exceeding two years and who receives an annual compensation of less than ten thousand dollars.c. "Volunteer firefighter" means an active member in good standing with a North Dakota fire department who has had a continuous membership for a period exceeding two years and receives an annual compensation of less than ten thousand dollars from the fire department.d. "Volunteer search and rescue personnel" includes water and dive rescue personnel and means an active member:(1) Of an organization that at the request of a state entity, political subdivision, or volunteer fire department deploys, coordinates, and uses available resources and personnel in locating, relieving the distress of, preserving the life of, or extracting an individual who is missing, trapped, or lost in remote areas or waters of the state;(2) In good standing and with continuous membership for a period exceeding two years with an organization under paragraph 1; and(3) Who receives an annual compensation of less than ten thousand dollars from an organization under paragraph 1.2. Upon application, the director shall issue red personalized plates to volunteer emergency responders, volunteer firefighters, and volunteer search and rescue personnel at no initial or annual cost to the volunteers. Qualified applicants are eligible to receive one set of plates. Plates may not be displayed on a vehicle with a registered gross weight exceeding twenty thousand pounds [9071.85 kilograms]. The first three digits of the plate are the last three digits of the zip code where the volunteer's department or organization is located. The remaining space may contain up to three characters of the volunteer's choosing. This plate serves as an entrance pass to all North Dakota state parks. In cooperation with the volunteer organizations, the director shall designate qualifications and verification procedures for the plates issued under this section.3. On termination of the registrant's eligibility, the registrant shall return the plates to the director, who shall reissue for a fee of not more than five dollars, and upon payment of applicable registration fees, another number plate to which that registrant is entitled under this chapter.4. If a registrant fails to return the plates to the director, the director, upon notification of the registrant's ineligibility, may revoke the plates and reissue for a fee of not more than five dollars, and upon payment of applicable registration fees, another number plate for which the registrant is entitled under this chapter.Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 344( HB 1336 ), § 1, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2021 , ch. 352( HB 1247 ), § 354, eff. 9/1/2022.Amended by S.L. 2019 , ch. 308( SB 2321 ), § 1, eff. 4/26/2019.