A person commits the offense of tampering with a vehicle metering system if the person:
(a)
With the intent to defraud, operates a motor vehicle that is subject to the per-mile road usage charge imposed under ORS 319.885 (Per-mile road usage charge) on a highway knowing that the vehicle metering system is disconnected or nonfunctional.
(b)
Replaces, disconnects or resets the vehicle metering system of a motor vehicle that is subject to the per-mile road usage charge imposed under ORS 319.885 (Per-mile road usage charge) with the intent of reducing the metered use recorded by the vehicle metering system.
(2)
This section does not apply to a person who is servicing, repairing or replacing a vehicle metering system.
(3)
As used in this section, “vehicle metering system” means a system used to record the metered use by a motor vehicle for the purpose of complying with the reporting requirements under ORS 319.920 (Reporting requirement).
(4)
Tampering with a vehicle metering system is a Class A traffic violation. [2013 c.781 §21]_______________