1. The Chief of the Investigation Division shall:

(a) Investigate and enforce the provisions of law relating to theft and fraud in matters concerning vehicles, including special mobile equipment and off-road vehicles.

(b) Procure from law enforcement agencies and other reliable sources information relating to violators of laws that govern theft and fraud relating to vehicles, including special mobile equipment and off-road vehicles. The information may concern the character of the violators, their probable motives, the circumstances of their arrests and their methods of operation, and may include any other pertinent information.

(c) Establish and conduct proactive law enforcement programs intended to reduce the incidence of commercial theft and fraud related to vehicles.

2. To carry out the provisions of this section, the Chief of the Investigation Division may:

(a) Accept gifts and grants of money from any person or governmental agency; and

(b) Employ or contract with persons to provide professional or technical assistance to the Division, payable from the money accepted pursuant to this section.

3. Money accepted by the Chief pursuant to this section must be accounted for separately in the State General Fund and is hereby authorized for expenditure to:

(a) Pay the cost of carrying out the duties of the Chief set forth in this section.

(b) Conduct educational programs to provide information to owners of vehicles, including special mobile equipment and off-road vehicles, concerning the prevention and reduction of commercial theft and fraud related to vehicles.

(c) Provide such equipment as the Chief determines is necessary to test methods of preventing or reducing commercial theft and fraud related to vehicles.

4. As used in this section, “commercial theft” means the theft of vehicles, including special mobile equipment and off-road vehicles, for financial gain.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2537)