Commissioner's powers and duties.

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  • (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;
    • (f) receive and distribute federal funding to further the objectives of highway safety in compliance with Title 63J, Chapter 5, Federal Funds Procedures Act; and
    • (g) authorize off-duty personal use of Department of Public Safety emergency vehicles.
  • (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.




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