(a) Within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming a resident, a person who is a resident of this state shall obtain an Arkansas motor vehicle registration and license in order to operate a motor vehicle upon the streets and highways of this state.
(b) A nonresident person who has been physically present in this state for a period of six (6) months shall obtain an Arkansas motor vehicle registration and license in order to operate a motor vehicle upon the streets and highways of this state.
(c)
(1)
(A) As used in this subsection, “entity” means a firm, corporation, association, partnership, or organization that transacts or conducts business in Arkansas and has a place of business in Arkansas.
(B) “Entity” does not include a firm, corporation, association, partnership, or organization engaged in one (1) or more of the following:
(i) Governmental operations, including municipal, county, state, or federal operations;
(ii) Utility operation, maintenance, or repair;
(iii) Construction;
(iv) Natural resource exploration, production, or mining, including without limitation oil, gas, gravel, and timber; or
(v) Agricultural operations.
(2)
(A)
(i) An entity that transacts or conducts business in Arkansas and has a place of business in Arkansas shall register a motor vehicle considered a pleasure vehicle under § 27-14-601(a)(1) that the entity owns and uses in its business operations in the state with the Office of Motor Vehicle within thirty (30) calendar days from the start of business in the state.
(ii) If an entity began transacting or conducting business in the state before July 31, 2009, the entity shall have thirty (30) calendar days to comply with this subsection.
(B)
(i) If a court of competent jurisdiction finds that an entity has failed to comply with subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section, the court may assess a civil penalty against the entity not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(ii) Proof that an employee or owner of the entity was found guilty of a violation of subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section shall establish a prima facie case that the entity failed to comply with subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section.
(iii) A penalty assessed under this subdivision (c)(2)(B) shall become a lien against the property owned by the entity in the state.
(iv) An entity may appeal the assessment of a civil penalty under this subdivision (c)(2)(B) to a circuit court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) A person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of operating a motor vehicle that is not in compliance with this section is guilty of a violation and punishable as provided under § 5-4-201(c).