§ 53-1-108. Commissioner's powers and duties.

(1) In addition to the responsibilities contained in this title, the commissioner shall:

(a) administer and enforce this title and Title 41, Chapter 12a, Financial Responsibility of Motor Vehicle Owners and Operators Act;

(b) appoint deputies, inspectors, examiners, clerical workers, and other employees as required to properly discharge the duties of the department;

(c) make rules:

(i) governing emergency use of signal lights on private vehicles; and

(ii) allowing privately owned vehicles to be designated for part-time emergency use, as provided in Section 41-6a-310;

(d) set standards for safety belt systems, as required by Section 41-6a-1803;

(e) serve as the cochair of the Emergency Management Administration Council, as required by Section 53-2a-105;

(f) designate vehicles as "authorized emergency vehicles," as required by Section 41-6a-102; and

(g) on or before January 1, 2003, adopt a written policy that prohibits the stopping, detention, or search of any person when the action is solely motivated by considerations of race, color, ethnicity, age, or gender.

(2) The commissioner may:

(a) subject to the approval of the governor, establish division headquarters at various places in the state;

(b) issue to a special agent a certificate of authority to act as a peace officer and revoke that authority for cause, as authorized in Section 56-1-21.5;

(c) create specialized units within the commissioner's office for conducting internal affairs and aircraft operations as necessary to protect the public safety;

(d) cooperate with any recognized agency in the education of the public in safety and crime prevention and participate in public or private partnerships, subject to Subsection (3);

(e) cooperate in applying for and distributing highway safety program funds; and

(f) receive and distribute federal funding to further the objectives of highway safety in compliance with Title 63J, Chapter 5, Federal Funds Procedures Act.

(3)

(a) Money may not be expended under Subsection (2)(d) for public safety education unless it is specifically appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose.

(b) Any recognized agency receiving state money for public safety shall file with the auditor of the state an itemized statement of all its receipts and expenditures.

Amended by Chapter 295, 2013 General Session