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December 25, 2024 Clouds | 26°F
The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is forthwith to provide for the registration of motor vehicles and trailers, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first and second paragraphs and inserting in place thereof the following 2 paragraphs:-
Applications for the registration of motor vehicles and trailers may be made by the owner thereof. If the owner is a corporation, sole proprietorship or business entity, the application shall contain, in addition to such other particulars as may be required by the registrar, the name of the corporation, sole proprietorship or business entity and the full address, including the street, city or town, state and zip code. If the owner is a sole proprietorship, the application shall contain a social security number and an employer identification number or federal tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service, if any such number has been issued. If the applicant is a natural person, the application shall contain, in addition to such other particulars as may be required by the registrar, the name of the applicant, full residential address, date of birth and license number or identification card number issued by the registrar, if such license or card has been issued. The application of a natural person shall also contain the apartment or unit number if the applicant’s address is in an apartment house, family hotel, condominium or a residential flat or is in a combined business and residential property. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no registration shall be issued to a natural person for a motor vehicle or trailer unless such person holds a license, identification card issued under section 8E, social security number issued by Social Security Administration or other proof of legal residence; provided, however, that the registrar shall provide by regulation for exemptions for out-of-state students, military personnel, senior citizens and disabled persons; provided, further, that the registrar may provide by regulation additional exemptions which shall be consistent with this section. The application shall also contain a brief description of the motor vehicle or trailer to be registered, including the name of the maker, any number or numbers as may be required by the registrar to properly identify the vehicle, the character of the motor power and the type of transmission and a statement signed by the applicant under the penalties of perjury that no excise liabilities on the motor vehicle are outstanding and incurred by the applicant, a member of the applicant’s immediate family who is a member of the applicant’s household or any business partner of the applicant. The registration fee, as required under section 33, shall accompany the application. Applicants for registration shall also comply with chapter 90D.
The registrar or the registrar’s duly authorized agents shall keep a record of motor vehicles and trailers that satisfy application requirements, and shall assign to each motor vehicle and trailer a distinguishing mark or number to be known as the register number for that vehicle or trailer, and shall thereupon issue to the applicant a certificate of registration. If the owner is a corporation, sole proprietorship or business entity, the certificate shall contain the name and address of the corporation, sole proprietorship or business entity and the register number or mark and shall be in such form and contain such further information as the registrar may determine. If the owner is a natural person, the certificate shall contain the name, place of residence and address of the applicant and the register number or mark and shall be in such form and contain such further information as the registrar may determine.

SECTION 2. The registrar of motor vehicles shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the sixth sentence of the first paragraph of section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws no later than January 1, 2013.

House of Representatives, July 30, 2012.
This Bill having been returned by His Excellency the Governor with his objections thereto in writing (see House 4344) has been passed by the House of Representatives, notwithstanding said objections, two-thirds of the House (135 yeas to 19 nays) having agreed to pass the same.
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker.
Steven T. James, Clerk.

Senate, July 30, 2012.
Passed by the Senate, notwithstanding the objections of His Excellency the Governor, two-thirds of the members present (24 yeas to 10 nays) having approved the same.
Therese Murray, President.
William F. Welch, Clerk.