(Contingent expiration date – See note) Except as provided by chapter 39-33, all registration and license records in the office of the department must be public records and must be open to inspection by the public during business hours. The director shall charge a uniform fee, not to exceed three dollars, for each item of information furnished to any person concerning a specific motor vehicle. However, such charges may not be assessed to a person requesting information concerning a motor vehicle of which that person is the owner, nor may such charges apply to law enforcement officials requesting motor vehicle information in their official capacity. All fees received under the provisions of this section must be credited to the highway tax distribution fund.