HF 326

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; creating special Gold Star Family license plates for
family members of military personnel who have died in active military service;
exempting plate fee and registration tax for certain survivors; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [168.1253] GOLD STAR FAMILY LICENSE PLATE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Issuance; eligibility. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall issue special plates
bearing the inscription "GOLD STAR FAMILY" to an applicant who is an owner or joint
owner of a motor vehicle, who is certified in writing by the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs or the state commissioner of veterans affairs as being an eligible person,
and who complies with all laws relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles
and drivers. The certification must indicate whether the person is an eligible person as
defined in either clause (1) or clause (2) of subdivision 2, paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (a) "Active military service" has the meaning given in section 190.05, subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) The term "eligible person" includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) the surviving spouse or surviving biological or adoptive parent of a person
who has died while serving honorably in active military service in the United States
armed forces; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the surviving biological or adoptive grandparent, sibling, or child of a person
who has died while serving honorably in active military service in the United States
armed forces.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle for personal use, not used for commercial
purposes, and may include a passenger automobile; a motorcycle; a recreational vehicle;
or a truck resembling a pickup truck and having a manufacturer's nominal rated capacity
of one ton.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Plate fee; exemption. new text end

new text begin A plate fee may not be charged to an eligible person
defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clause (1). For all other eligible persons, the
commissioner shall charge a fee of $10 per set of plates issued under this section. No
surcharge may be added to this fee.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Annual registration fee; exemption. new text end

new text begin For each eligible person defined in
subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clause (1), to whom the commissioner has issued special
plates under this section, the commissioner may exempt one vehicle from the annual
registration tax required under section 168.013.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Design. new text end

new text begin The special license plates issued under this section must be of a
design and size determined by the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner
of veterans affairs. The commissioner may design the plates in accordance with section
168.1291, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Application for issuance of these plates may be made at
any time.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Transfer. new text end

new text begin On payment of a fee of $5 and notification to the commissioner,
special plates issued under this section may be transferred to another personal motor
vehicle owned or jointly owned by the eligible person.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2007.
new text end