§ 47-1143. Compensation of motor license agents - Mail order vehicle registration notification program - Apportionment of funds - Failure to receive registration notification - Bond.

A.  A motor license agent appointed under the provisions of this title shall retain as compensation those taxes and fees collected and retained pursuant to Section 1141.1 of this title, and shall additionally retain:

1.  All amounts remaining from notary and mailing fees received by such agent, after payment of all costs of handling and mailing;

2.  All profits from any concessions operated in the agent's office; and

3.  All amounts collected pursuant to subsection H of Section 1111 of this title.

B.  A motor license agent shall receive a fee of not more than One Dollar ($1.00) for each document notarized and a fee of fifty cents ($0.50) for any documents mailed.

C.  The Oklahoma Tax Commission shall initiate a mail order vehicle registration notification program, which shall consist of notification annually to all vehicle owners in this state of such time an owner shall register and license a vehicle as provided for in Section 1101 et seq. of this title.  The notification issued by the Tax Commission shall include a breakdown of all charges to be paid by the owner, other items deemed necessary by the Tax Commission and shall notify the owner of the option of paying registration fees and receiving the license plate or decal through the mail directly from the Tax Commission or of registering and receiving the license plate or decal from a motor license agent.  On the back of such registration notification forms there shall be the address of the Oklahoma Tax Commission in large black type and an explanation of the apportionment of all license fees and penalties collected and their disposition.  Such explanation shall include information as to all charges included in the total license fee and any fees or charges incident to the registration of a motor vehicle, to include all fees that a motor license agent is authorized to collect.  If the owner chooses the option of receiving these services through the mail, either from the Tax Commission or the motor license agent, the owner shall then be instructed to pay the final total listed.  The costs of mailing shall be One Dollar ($1.00) for license plates, fifty cents ($0.50) for decals and fifty cents ($0.50) for the mailing of any other form, title, decal or device provided for in the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.  Provided however, the Tax Commission may adjust any mailing costs from time to time as it deems appropriate and as will allow for additional fees the U.S. Postal Service may charge.

D.  Money received by the Tax Commission for the issuance of any registrations, license plates or otherwise shall be apportioned to the schools in accordance with other laws controlling such distributions.

E.  Failure by an owner of a vehicle to receive registration notification as provided for in the Motor Vehicle License and Registration Act shall not in any manner relieve such person from the obligation of proper and timely registration and licensing of such vehicle, and such person shall be subject to any penalties prescribed by the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.

F.  A motor license agent, out of the taxes and fees collected and retained pursuant to Section 1141.1 of this title, shall obtain a faithful performance surety bond or cash bond in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) or in such additional amount and form required by the Tax Commission or by the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act, a blanket surety bond or cash bond covering adequately all office personnel, necessary insurance, necessary office equipment and furniture, and other goods and services essential to the proper operation of the motor license agency.  Provided that the Tax Commission shall have the authority to lower such required surety bond to an amount that is commensurate with the amount of business conducted by the motor license agent, but in no event shall that amount be less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).  Motor license agents shall obtain the surety bond or cash bond required by this section only during their first year of operation.  Thereafter, the motor license agents shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1143.1 of this title.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 179, § 46, operative July 1, 1985.  Amended by Laws 1985, c. 197, § 7, operative July 1, 1985; Laws 1987, c. 158, § 2, emerg. eff. June 25, 1987; Laws 1993, c. 300, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 208, § 4, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 2001, c. 439, § 1, eff. July 1, 2001.