2010 Arkansas Code
Title 27 - Transportation
Subtitle 2 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing
Chapter 14 - Uniform Motor Vehicle Administration, Certificate of Title, and Antitheft Act
Subchapter 6 - Registration and License Fees
§ 27-14-601 - Fees for registration and licensing of motor vehicles.

27-14-601. Fees for registration and licensing of motor vehicles.

(a) Fees Generally. The fee for the registration and licensing of all motor vehicles shall be as follows:

(1) Pleasure Vehicles. For all automobiles equipped with pneumatic tires, used for the transportation of persons, there shall be charged and collected the following fees based upon the unladen weight of such automobiles:

(A) Class One -- Automobiles of 3,000 lbs. or less ..................... $17.00;

(B) Class Two -- Automobiles of 3,001 lbs. to and including 4,500 lbs. ..................... 25.00; and

(C) Class Three -- Automobiles of 4,501 lbs. and over ..................... 30.00;

(2) Automobiles for Hire. For all automobiles for hire which are equipped with pneumatic tires and used for the transportation of persons, there shall be charged and collected the fee applicable thereto as set for pleasure vehicles in subdivision (a)(1) of this section;

(3) Trucks and Trailers. For all motor trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers including pipe and pole dollies, equipped with pneumatic tires, the license fee shall be charged on the basis of the gross loaded weight of the vehicle as follows:

(A) Class One -- All trucks and vans that are rated by the manufacturer as having a nominal tonnage of one (1) ton that are used exclusively for personal transportation and are not used for commercial or business purposes and all trucks and vans that are rated by the manufacturer as having a nominal tonnage of three-quarter (3/4) ton or less shall be assessed a license fee of twenty-one dollars ($21.00) without regard to weight. All one-ton trucks and vans that are used for commercial or business purposes shall be registered in the appropriate class according to gross laden weight;

(B) Class Two -- On all such vehicles with a gross loaded weight between six thousand one pounds (6,001 lbs.) and twenty thousand pounds (20,000 lbs.), the fee to be charged shall be at the rate of six dollars and fifty cents ($6.50) per thousand pounds of gross loaded weight of the vehicles;

(C) Class Three -- On all such vehicles with a gross loaded weight between twenty thousand one pounds (20,001 lbs.) and forty thousand pounds (40,000 lbs.), the fee to be charged shall be at the rate of eight dollars and forty-five cents ($8.45) per thousand pounds of the gross loaded weight of the vehicles;

(D) Class Four -- On all such vehicles with a gross weight between forty thousand one pounds (40,001 lbs.) and fifty-six thousand pounds (56,000 lbs.), the fee to be charged shall be at the rate of eleven dollars and five cents ($11.05) per thousand pounds of gross loaded weight of the vehicles;

(E) Class Five -- On all such vehicles with a gross loaded weight between fifty-six thousand one pounds (56,001 lbs.) and sixty thousand pounds (60,000 lbs.), the fee to be charged shall be at the rate of twelve dollars and thirty-five cents ($12.35) per thousand pounds of gross loaded weight of the vehicles;

(F) Class Six -- On all such vehicles with a gross loaded weight between sixty thousand one pounds (60,001 lbs.) and sixty-eight thousand pounds (68,000 lbs.), the fee to be charged shall be at the rate of thirteen dollars and sixty-five cents ($13.65) per thousand pounds of gross loaded weight of the vehicles;

(G) (i) Class Seven -- On all such vehicles with a gross loaded weight between sixty-eight thousand one pounds (68,001 lbs.) and seventy-three thousand two hundred eighty pounds (73,280 lbs.), the fee to be charged shall be at the rate of fourteen dollars and thirty cents ($14.30) per thousand pounds of gross loaded weight of the vehicles.

(ii) On all such vehicles with a gross loaded weight between seventy-three thousand, two hundred eighty-one pounds (73,281 lbs.) and eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.), the fee to be charged shall be one thousand three hundred fifty dollars ($1,350);

(H) Class Eight.

(i) In order to aid in the development of the natural resources and to promote agriculture, timber harvesting, and forestry in Arkansas and in order to eliminate apparent inequities in license charges for vehicles using only improved roads and those used primarily on the farm, for timber harvesting or forestry, in the wooded areas, and off the main highway system of this state, a special classification is created to provide a different and more equitable rate for those vehicles used exclusively for the noncommercial hauling of farm or timber products produced in this state and for the hauling of feed, seed, fertilizer, poultry litter, and other products commonly produced or used in agricultural operations or the hauling of animal feed by owners of livestock or poultry for consumption in this state by livestock or poultry owned by them and for those vehicles used in the hauling of unfinished and unprocessed forest products and clay minerals and ores originating in Arkansas from the point of severance to a point in the state at which they first undergo any processing, preparation for processing, conversion, or transformation from their natural or severed state. Notwithstanding any provision of this subdivision (a)(3)(H) to the contrary, farmers may transport cotton seed from the gin or warehouse to the first point of sale under this special classification. Rock or stone or crushed rock or crushed stone, except rock or stone which is to undergo further processing into a finished or semifinished product other than crushed rock or crushed stone, shall not be construed as clay minerals or ores under the provisions of this classification. Notwithstanding any provision of this subdivision (a)(3)(H) or any other law to the contrary, persons in the timber harvesting or forestry industries who transport wood waste, wood chips, or wood dust from a mill or a temporary location may transport the wood waste, wood chips, or wood dust from the mill or the temporary location to a destination for further processing under this special classification.

(ii) The annual license fees for vehicles classified as either farm or natural resources vehicles shall be as follows:

(a) For a vehicle with two (2) axles, including mini-trucks, a fee of three dollars and ninety cents ($3.90) per one thousand pounds (1,000 lbs.) of gross loaded weight of the vehicle, with a minimum fee of thirty-two dollars and fifty cents ($32.50) and a maximum fee of sixty-five dollars ($65.00) for each vehicle;

(b) For a vehicle with three (3) axles, a fee of ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents ($97.50);

(c) For a vehicle with four (4) axles, a fee of one hundred thirty dollars ($130);

(d) For a vehicle with five (5) axles, a fee of one hundred sixty-two dollars and fifty cents ($162.50);

(e) For a vehicle with five (5) axles used exclusively by the owner of livestock or poultry in hauling animal feed for consumption in this state by the owner's livestock or poultry, a fee of six hundred fifty dollars ($650); and

(f) Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this subdivision (a)(3)(H) to the contrary, for a vehicle to be operated separately or in combination with other vehicles, which vehicle or combination has a total outside width in excess of one hundred two inches (102'') but not exceeding one hundred eight inches (108'') and is utilized or intended to be utilized to transport compacted seed cotton, the annual license fee shall be six hundred fifty dollars ($650). Provided, any full trailer or semitrailer used in combination with such registered vehicle shall also be registered in accordance with and pursuant to the applicable fees set out in subdivision (a)(3)(I) of this section. That portion of the annual license fee established by this subdivision (a)(3)(H)(ii)(f) which equals four hundred eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($487.50) is declared to be a permit fee for the use of the public roads and streets of this state by such vehicles while operated separately or in combination with other vehicles due to the unusual design and size of such vehicles or combinations of vehicles.

(iii) (a) The foregoing vehicles shall not exceed the maximum axle load permitted by law.

(b) Five-axle vehicles may haul maximum gross loaded weights of up to eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.) without the purchase of any additional or different type license.

(iv) The Director of the Department of Finance and Administration shall cause to be issued special and distinctive license plates for vehicles in this classification, with separate farm license plates to be established for those vehicles used in the noncommercial hauling of farm products produced in this state, and for the hauling of feed, seed, fertilizer, poultry litter, and other products commonly produced or used in agricultural operations or compacted seed cotton and separate natural resources license plates to be established for those vehicles hauling timber products, clay minerals, or ores.

(v) (a) Before any license may be issued for a vehicle designated as either a farm vehicle or a natural resources vehicle, the applicant shall, by affidavit, state that he or she is familiar with the purposes for which such licenses may be used as authorized under this classification and that he or she will not use such vehicle for which application for license is made for any purpose not authorized under this classification. The applicant shall indicate on his or her affidavit whether the vehicle is to be used for the hauling of farm products, animal feed, compacted seed, or cotton or for the hauling of forest products, clay minerals, or ores.

(b) If the applicant is the owner of a mini-truck, then the affidavit shall state that the vehicle is being used exclusively for farm purposes and that the mini-truck meets the other requirements of 27-14-726.

(vi) (a) Upon submitting an affidavit, any person entitled to obtain a farm license for a motor vehicle used for hauling farm products as authorized under this classification, if the vehicle is required for only seasonal or occasional use, may be issued a farm license for the vehicle for the first six (6) months of the annual licensing period at a rate equal to one-half (1/2) of the annual fee but in no event less than sixty-five dollars ($65.00) or for the last month of the current annual licensing period and the first six (6) months of the subsequent annual licensing period at a rate equal to seven-twelfths (7/12) of the annual fee but in no event less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00).

(b) The director shall issue special distinctive license plates or license plate validation decals for the vehicles, including the indication thereon of the expiration date, so as to identify them from annual plates.

(vii) The owner of any motor vehicle who is entitled to obtain a farm license for such motor vehicle for use in hauling farm products as authorized in this subdivision (a)(3)(H) may use such motor vehicle for the hauling of baled cotton from the cotton gin to a cotton compress without the necessity of the payment of additional license fees or the obtaining of additional license plates for such motor vehicle.

(viii) The director shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the intent of this classification and prevent abuse thereof. However, before any such rules or regulations shall be effective, they shall be approved by majority action of the members of the State Highway Commission acting for and in behalf of the Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, which is the agency charged with the principal responsibility of enforcing the motor vehicle license laws of this state.

(ix) Vehicles licensed under this classification for the hauling of farm products only shall be permitted, without payment of additional fees, to transport return loads to the farm or domicile of the owner of such vehicles where such return load contents are the property of, and to be used or consumed by, the owner of the vehicle or his or her family.

(x) If a violation of the natural resources classification as authorized in this subdivision (a)(3)(H) is discovered, a license must immediately be purchased for such vehicle in accordance with the rate of license that should lawfully be required for such vehicle for so moving on the roads and highways of this state. No credit shall be given on the purchase price of such license for any amount or amounts paid for license hitherto purchased for use on such vehicle. This requirement of license purchase shall not be in lieu of any criminal prosecution.

(xi) All affidavits required under the provisions of this subdivision (a)(3)(H) shall be acknowledged by the director, his or her authorized agent, or some other person authorized by the laws of this state to administer oaths.

(xii) The owner of a mini-truck under 27-14-726 may license and register the mini-truck as a Class Eight farm vehicle if the vehicle is used for farm purposes;

(I) Class Nine.

(i) (a) For the purpose of evidencing registration of trailers, semitrailers, and full trailers, there shall be issued special license plates and annual registration fees charged and collected according to the following schedule:

(1) All trailers drawn by automobiles and Class One trucks, and all boat trailers and travel trailers drawn by any truck, which truck has a load capacity of one (1) ton or less, a triennial fee of twenty-one dollars ($21.00). Provided, however, every owner of a trailer drawn by automobiles and Class One trucks, and all boat trailers and travel trailers drawn by any truck, purchased or otherwise acquired on or after January 1, 2002 shall pay thirty-six dollars ($36.00) for the issuance of a permanent registration that shall remain valid, without renewal, until the owner of the trailer sells or otherwise disposes of the trailer for which the registration is issued. Permanent registration issued under this subdivision (a)(3)(I)(i)(a)(1) shall not be transferred to other owners or other vehicles, and shall not be replaced under 27-14-602(b)(6). Any owner of a trailer registered under the provisions of this subdivision before January 1, 2002 may, at his or her option, upon expiration of such registration, pay thirty-six dollars ($36.00) for the issuance of a permanent registration as authorized in this subdivision (a)(3)(I)(i)(a)(1);

(2) All semitrailers used in combination with Class Two -- Class Eight trucks, with the exception of those for which a fee is set out in subdivision (a)(3)(I)(i)(a)(1) of this section, a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00). Provided, however, the owner of any semitrailer used in combination with Class Two -- Class Eight trucks may, at his or her option, pay a fee of sixty-five dollars ($65.00) for issuance of a permanent registration that shall remain valid, without annual renewal, until he or she sells or otherwise disposes of the semitrailer for which the registration is issued. Permanent registrations issued under this subdivision (a)(3)(I)(i)(a)(2) shall not be transferred to other owners or other vehicles and shall not be replaced under 27-14-602(b)(6);

(3) Full trailers operated in the transportation of farm products and other natural resources described as Class Eight, a fee of eight dollars ($8.00); and

(4) For all other full trailers there shall be charged an annual license fee computed on the gross loaded weight of the vehicle at the appropriate rate provided by Class Two -- Class Seven of subdivision (a)(3) of this section.

(b) For the purpose of evidencing registration of a combination of truck-tractor and semitrailer classified by subdivision (a)(3)(I)(i)(a)(2), the license fee for the gross weight of the combination shall be computed at the appropriate rate provided by Class Two -- Class Eight of subdivision (a)(3) of this section and shall be applied to the registration of the truck tractor.

(ii) (a) "Gross loaded weight" as used in this section means the weight of the vehicle or vehicles plus the load to be hauled.

(b) (1) If any truck, trailer, or semitrailer, as provided in this section, is at any time found to be operating on the highways of Arkansas with a gross loaded weight in excess of the weight permitted by the license registration thereon, the owner or his or her agent must then and there, before proceeding, pay an additional license fee on the truck, trailer, or semitrailer, or combination, on the basis of one dollar and thirty cents ($1.30) per one hundred pounds (100 lbs.), or fraction thereof, for the excess weight. For the purpose of ascertaining excess loaded weight on any truck, trailer, semitrailer, or combination thereof, a tolerance of one thousand pounds (1,000 lbs.) over and above the permitted weight, as indicated by the license registration certificate thereof, shall be allowed before the additional license fee required in this subdivision (a)(3)(I)(ii)(b)(1) shall be charged.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any truck to operate on the highways of Arkansas without the license registration card being, at all times, in the possession of the operator thereof. This card shall, at all times, be subject to inspection.

(3) Any truck, trailer, or semitrailer, or combination thereof, on which an additional license fee is paid because of excess weight, as provided in this subdivision (a)(3)(I)(ii)(b), shall be permitted for the remaining portion of the regular license year to operate at the newly established weight limit.

(4) In no event shall any license be issued for a greater weight than that permitted by law governing axle loads; and

(J) (i) The director shall cause to be issued special and distinctive license plates for vehicles licensed under Class Two -- Class Seven in this section, which are utilized as wreckers or tow vehicles and that hold a permit issued by the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board under 27-50-1203 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(ii) Before any license may be issued for a vehicle designated as a wrecker or tow vehicle, the applicant shall furnish to the director a certification from the board that the wrecker or tow vehicle has been permitted as a wrecker or tow vehicle by the board.

(iii) Beginning January 1, 2008, every wrecker or tow vehicle permitted by the board shall obtain upon initial registration or at the time of next renewal a distinctive wrecker or tow vehicle license plate.

(iv) In addition to the fee for the respective Class Two -- Class Seven license, the director may assess a handling and administrative fee in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00) for each distinctive wrecker or tow vehicle license plate.

(v) A wrecker or tow vehicle licensed pursuant to the International Registration Plan may obtain the distinctive wrecker or tow vehicle license plate to be displayed in addition to any license plate held pursuant to the International Registration Plan;

(4) Motorcycles. (A) For the registration of motorcycles, there shall be charged and collected a fee of six dollars and fifty cents ($6.50) per annum.

(B) For the registration of motor-driven cycles, there shall be charged and collected a fee of three dollars and twenty-five cents ($3.25) per annum.

(C) For the registration of motorcycle sidecars, there shall be charged and collected an additional registration fee of one dollar and ninety-five cents ($1.95) per annum;

(5) Hearses and Ambulances. For the registration of hearses and other funeral cars or ambulances, there shall be charged and collected a fee of forty-five dollars and fifty cents ($45.50) per annum; and

(6) Dealers. (A) A "dealer", for the purposes of this subdivision (a)(6), means a person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying and selling vehicles subject to registration in this state.

(B) (i) As a condition precedent to obtaining dealer's license plates, the dealer shall furnish the director a certification that the applicant is a vehicle dealer and has a bona fide, established place of business used for the sale of vehicles, an office used for that business, a telephone listed in the name of the business, and a sign identifying the establishment. Certification shall be required for all renewals of dealer license plates. This dealer certification shall not apply to dealers licensed by the Department of Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission, or the Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission and who are regulated by those authorities. The dealer certification shall consist of completion of a self-certification form prepared by the Office of Motor Vehicle.

(ii) (a) Except as provided in subdivision (a)(6)(B)(iv) of this section for dealers who sell only all-terrain vehicles, upon furnishing the certification to the director, or a copy of the dealer's license from either the Department of Arkansas State Police or the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission and the payment of a fee of one hundred dollars ($100), the dealer shall be issued a master license plate and upon the payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be issued a dealer's extra license plate as provided in 27-14-1704. However, the dealer must secure a master license plate for each separate place of business.

(b) No more than one (1) dealer's extra license plate shall be issued for each manager, sales manager, or salesperson of the dealer as authorized under 27-14-1704, regardless of whether the dealer sells automobiles, motorcycles, or both automobiles and motorcycles.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Office of Motor Vehicle shall provide distinctive dealer's master and extra license plates for motorcycles. Motorcycle dealers shall not be provided and shall not be authorized to use dealer's license plates designed for any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle unless the dealer provides proof to the satisfaction of the Office of Motor Vehicle that the dealer is also in the business of selling new or used motor vehicles of the type for which the dealer plate is sought.

(iii) (a) Upon furnishing certification to the director or a copy of the dealer's license from the Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission and upon the payment of fifty dollars ($50.00), the manufactured home dealer shall be issued certification from the director for the purpose of assigning manufactured home titles.

(b) Each location shall be treated as a separate entity, and certification by the department shall be required for each location.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Office of Motor Vehicle shall provide distinctive dealer's license plates for manufactured homes. Manufactured home dealers shall not be provided and shall not be authorized to use dealer's license plates designed for a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or anything other than a manufactured home.

(iv) (a) Upon furnishing certification to the director or a copy of the dealer's license from the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission and upon the payment of one hundred dollars ($100), dealers engaged exclusively in the business of buying and selling all-terrain vehicles, as defined in 27-21-102, shall be issued certification from the director for the purpose of assigning all-terrain vehicle titles.

(b) Each dealer location shall be treated as a separate entity, and certification by the director shall be required for each location.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, all-terrain vehicle dealers that are engaged solely in the business of buying and selling all-terrain vehicles shall not be provided and shall not be authorized to use dealer's license plates designed for any motor vehicle required to be registered for operation on public streets and highways.

(C) When a dealer's master license plate or extra license plate is attached to any dealer-owned motor vehicle, the motor vehicle may be used by the dealer, a manager, a sales manager, or a salesperson employed by the dealership to drive to or from work and for personal or business trips inside or outside the dealer's county of residence.

(D) In addition to any other penalty prescribed by this chapter, any dealer, manager, sales manager, or salesperson of the dealer who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or who is found guilty of the misuse of a dealer's master license plate or dealer's extra license plate or of allowing anyone else to misuse a dealer's master license plate or dealer's extra license plate shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the first offense, not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for the second offense, and not more than one thousand dollars ($1000) for the third and subsequent offenses.

(b) Period Covered and Expiration of Registration. (1) On all motor vehicles, except trucks other than Class One trucks as defined in 27-14-1002, truck-tractors, trailers, and semitrailers, and combinations thereof, the duration and expiration of registration shall be in accord with the provisions of 27-14-1011, and all fees provided in this section for those motor vehicles shall be due and payable annually as provided therein.

(2) (A) On all trucks except Class One trucks as defined in 27-14-1002, truck-tractors, trailers, and semitrailers, and combinations thereof, except trailers drawn by automobiles and Class One trucks, the registration shall be valid for twelve (12) months from the month of issuance of registration, and all fees provided in this section for those vehicles shall be due and payable annually during the twelfth month of the registration period.

(B) No person shall have the authority to extend the time for payment of such fees past the period specified in this subdivision (b)(2).

(C) The provisions of this subdivision (b)(2) shall not apply to trailers drawn by automobiles or by Class One trucks.

(D) (i) The director shall, upon request, assign the same registration period to any owner of two (2) or more trucks, truck-tractors, trailers, and semitrailers, and combinations thereof, except Class One trucks as defined in 27-14-1002.

(ii) The director shall, upon request, assign a different month of registration other than the vehicle's current month of registration to any owner of a truck, truck-tractor, trailer, and semitrailer, and combinations thereof, except Class One trucks as defined in 27-14-1002, and all fees shall be prorated accordingly on a monthly basis.

(c) Nature of Fees. Each of the fees authorized in this section is declared to be a tax for the privilege of using and operating a vehicle on the public roads and highways of the State of Arkansas.

(d) (1) All taxes, fees, penalties, interest, and other amounts collected under the provisions of this section, with the exception of that portion of the fee declared to be a permit fee and collected pursuant to subdivision (a)(3)(H)(ii)(f) of this section, shall be classified as special revenues and shall be deposited in the State Treasury. After deducting the amount to be credited to the Constitutional Officers Fund and the State Central Services Fund as provided under the Revenue Stabilization Law, 19-5-101 et seq., the Treasurer of State shall transfer on the last business day of each month:

(A) Fifteen percent (15%) of the amount thereof to the County Aid Fund;

(B) Fifteen percent (15%) of the amount thereof to the Municipal Aid Fund; and

(C) Seventy percent (70%) of the amount thereof to the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund.

(2) The funds shall be further disbursed in the same manner and used for the same purposes as set out in the Arkansas Highway Revenue Distribution Law, 27-70-201 et seq.

(3) That portion of the annual license fee collected pursuant to subdivision (a)(3)(H)(ii)(f) of this section declared to be a permit fee shall be classified as special revenues and shall be deposited in the State Treasury. The Treasurer of State shall transfer on the last business day of each month all of such portions of such annual license fees to the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund to be utilized for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of highways and bridges in the state highway system.

(e) Penalty. (1) Any person owning a vehicle on which a fee is required to be paid under the terms of this section who shall operate it or permit it to be operated on a public road in this state without having paid the fee required by this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in a sum not less than double the fee provided for and not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000).

(2) If the arresting officer is:

(A) An officer of the Department of Arkansas State Police, the fine collected shall be remitted by the tenth day of each month to the Administration of Justice Fund Section of the Division of Administrative Services of the Department of Finance and Administration on a form provided by the Administration of Justice Fund Section of the Division of Administrative Services of the Department of Finance and Administration for deposit into the Department of Arkansas State Police Fund, to be used for the purchase and maintenance of state police vehicles;

(B) An officer of the Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, the fine collected shall be remitted by the tenth day of each month to the Administration of Justice Fund Section of the Division of Administrative Services of the Department of Finance and Administration on a form provided by the Administration of Justice Fund Section of the Division of Administrative Services of the Department of Finance and Administration for deposit into the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund, to be used for the purchase and maintenance of highway police vehicles;

(C) A county law enforcement officer, the fine collected shall be deposited into the county fund used for the purchase and maintenance of rescue, emergency medical, and law enforcement vehicles, communications equipment, animals owned or used by law enforcement agencies, lifesaving medical apparatus, and law enforcement apparatus, to be used for those purposes; and

(D) A municipal law enforcement officer, the fine collected shall be deposited in that municipality's fund used for the purchase and maintenance of rescue, emergency medical, and law enforcement vehicles, communications equipment, animals owned or used by law enforcement agencies, lifesaving medical apparatus, and law enforcement apparatus, to be used for those purposes.