1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and NRS 482.38279, the Department shall design, prepare and issue license plates for the appreciation of animals, using any colors and designs that 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. If the Department receives at least 250 applications for the issuance of license plates for the appreciation of animals, the Department shall issue those plates for a passenger car or light commercial vehicle upon application by a 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 for the appreciation of animals if that person pays the fees for the personalized prestige license plates in addition to the fees for the license plates for the appreciation of animals pursuant to subsections 3 and 4.

3. The fee for license plates for the appreciation of animals is $35, in addition to all other applicable registration and license fees and governmental services taxes. The license plates are renewable upon the payment of $10.

4. In addition to all other applicable registration and license fees and governmental services taxes and the fee prescribed in subsection 3, a person who requests a set of license plates for the appreciation of animals 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 be distributed in the manner prescribed in subsection 5.

5. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 482.38279, the Department shall deposit the fees collected pursuant to subsection 4 with the State Treasurer for credit to the State General Fund. The State Treasurer shall, on a quarterly basis, distribute to each county the fees collected for the preceding quarter for license plates for vehicles registered in that county. The money may be used by the county only:

(a) For programs that are approved by the board of county commissioners for the adoption of animals and for the spaying and neutering of animals.

(b) To make grants to nonprofit organizations to carry out the programs described in paragraph (a).

6. 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 forth in this chapter; or

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

(Added to NRS by 2001, 1466; A 2007, 821; 2013, 2845)