1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to motor vehicles; authorizing issuance of special plates for motorcycles; 
1.3 	creating standing appropriations from certain license plate accounts to 
1.4 	commissioner of veterans affairs and Department of Military Affairs;amending 
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 168.12, subdivisions 2, 2c, 2d, 2e; 168.1235, 
1.6 	subdivision 1; 168.1255, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding subdivisions; 168.129, 
1.7 	subdivision 1; 168.1296, subdivision 1; 168.1297, subdivision 1; 190.19, 
1.8 	subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 190.19, subdivision 
1.9 	2.
1.10 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.11 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.12 		Subd. 2.Amateur radio licensee; special plates, rules. (a) The commissioner shall 
1.13 	issue amateur radio plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
1.14 	(1) is an owner of a passenger automobile or, recreational motor vehicle, or 
1.15 	motorcycle;
1.16 	(2) is a resident of this state;
1.17 	(3) holds an official amateur radio station license or a citizens radio service class D 
1.18 	license, in good standing, issued by the Federal Communications Commission;
1.19 	(4) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
1.20 	(5) pays a fee of $10 for each set of special plates and any other fees required by 
1.21 	this chapter; and
1.22 	(6) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles 
1.23 	and licensing of drivers;
1.24 	(b) In lieu of the registration number required for identification under subdivision 1, 
1.25 	the plates must indicate the official amateur call letters of the applicant, as assigned by the 
1.26 	Federal Communications Commission, and the words "AMATEUR RADIO."
2.1 	(c) This provision for the issue of special plates applies only if the applicant's motor 
2.2 	vehicle is already registered in Minnesota so that the applicant has valid regular Minnesota 
2.3 	plates issued for that motor vehicle under which to operate it during the time that it will 
2.4 	take to have the necessary special plates made.
2.5 	(d) If owning more than one motor vehicle of the type specified in this subdivision, 
2.6 	the applicant may apply for special plates for each of not more than two motor vehicles 
2.7 	and, if each application complies with this subdivision, the commissioner shall furnish 
2.8 	the applicant with the special plates, indicating the official amateur call letters and other 
2.9 	distinguishing information as the commissioner considers necessary, for each of the two 
2.10 	motor vehicles.
2.11 	(e) The commissioner may make reasonable rules governing the use of the special 
2.12 	plates as will assure the full compliance by the owner of the special plates, with all existing 
2.13 	laws governing the registration of motor vehicles and the transfer and use of the plates.
2.14 	(f) Despite any contrary provision of subdivision 1, the special plates issued under 
2.15 	this subdivision may be transferred by an owner to another motor vehicle listed in 
2.16 	paragraph (a) and registered to the same owner, upon the payment of a fee of $5. The 
2.17 	commissioner must be notified before the transfer and may prescribe a format for the 
2.18 	notification.

2.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.12, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:
2.20 		Subd. 2c.National Guard; special plates, rules. (a) The commissioner shall issue 
2.21 	special plates or a single motorcycle plate to any applicant who:
2.22 	(1) is a regularly enlisted, commissioned, or retired member of the Minnesota 
2.23 	National Guard, other than an inactive member who is not a retired member, and is an 
2.24 	owner of a passenger automobile or motorcycle;
2.25 	(2) pays a fee of $10 and any other fees required by this chapter;
2.26 	(3) pays the registration tax required by this chapter; and
2.27 	(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles 
2.28 	and licensing of drivers.
2.29 	(b) The adjutant general shall design the emblem for these special plates subject to 
2.30 	the approval of the commissioner.
2.31 	(c) An applicant must not be issued more than two sets of plates for motor vehicles 
2.32 	registered to the applicant.
2.33 	(d) Special plates issued under this subdivision may only be used during the period 
2.34 	that the owner of the motor vehicle is an active or retired member of the Minnesota 
2.35 	National Guard as specified in this subdivision. When the individual to whom the special 
3.1 	plates were issued is no longer an active or retired member of the Minnesota National 
3.2 	Guard, the special plates must be removed from the vehicle by the owner. Upon removal 
3.3 	of the special plates, either the owner or purchaser of the motor vehicle is entitled 
3.4 	to receive regular plates for the motor vehicle without cost for the remainder of the 
3.5 	registration period for which the special plates were issued.
3.6 	(e) While the person is an active or retired member of the Minnesota National 
3.7 	Guard, plates issued pursuant to this subdivision may be transferred to another motor 
3.8 	vehicle owned by that individual upon payment of a fee of $5.
3.9 	(f) For purposes of this subdivision, "retired member" means an individual placed on 
3.10 	the roll of retired officers or roll of retired enlisted members in the Office of the Adjutant 
3.11 	General under section 192.18 and who is not deceased.
3.12 	(g) The commissioner may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to 
3.13 	govern the issuance and use of the special plates authorized by this subdivision.

3.14 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.12, subdivision 2d, is amended to read:
3.15 		Subd. 2d.Ready Reserve; special plates, rules. (a) The commissioner shall issue 
3.16 	special plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
3.17 	(1) is not eligible for special National Guard plates under subdivision 2c, is a member 
3.18 	of the United States armed forces ready reserve as described in United States Code, title 
3.19 	10, section 10142 or 10143, and is an owner of a passenger automobile or motorcycle;
3.20 	(2) pays a fee of $10 and any other fees required by this chapter;
3.21 	(3) pays the registration tax required by this chapter; and
3.22 	(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles 
3.23 	and licensing of drivers.
3.24 	(b) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall design the emblem for these special 
3.25 	plates subject to the approval of the commissioner.
3.26 	(c) An applicant must not be issued more than two sets of plates for motor vehicles 
3.27 	owned by the applicant.
3.28 	(d) Special plates issued under this subdivision may only be used during the period 
3.29 	that the owner of the motor vehicle is a member of the ready reserve. When the owner is 
3.30 	no longer a member, the special plates must be removed from the motor vehicle by the 
3.31 	owner. On removing the special plates, either the owner or purchaser of the motor vehicle 
3.32 	is entitled to receive regular plates for the motor vehicle without cost for the rest of the 
3.33 	registration period for which the special plates were issued. While the owner is a member 
3.34 	of the ready reserve, plates issued under this subdivision may be transferred to another 
3.35 	motor vehicle owned by that individual on paying a fee of $5.
4.1 	(e) The commissioner may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to 
4.2 	govern the issuance and use of the special plates authorized by this subdivision.

4.3 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.12, subdivision 2e, is amended to read:
4.4 		Subd. 2e.Volunteer ambulance attendants; special plates. (a) The commissioner 
4.5 	shall issue special license plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
4.6 	(1) is a volunteer ambulance attendant as defined in section 144E.001, subdivision 
4.7 	15, and owns a motor vehicle taxed as a passenger automobile or a motorcycle;
4.8 	(2) pays the registration tax required by this chapter for the motor vehicle;
4.9 	(3) pays a fee of $10 and any other fees required by this chapter; and
4.10 	(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles 
4.11 	and licensing of drivers.
4.12 	(b) The commissioner shall not issue more than two sets of these plates to each 
4.13 	qualified applicant.
4.14 	(c) An individual may use special plates issued under this subdivision only during 
4.15 	the period that the individual is a volunteer ambulance attendant. When the individual 
4.16 	to whom the special plates were issued ceases to be a volunteer ambulance attendant, 
4.17 	the individual shall remove each set of special plates issued. When ownership of the 
4.18 	motor vehicle is transferred, the individual shall remove the special plates from that motor 
4.19 	vehicle. On removal of each set of plates, the owner of the motor vehicle, or new owner 
4.20 	in case of a transferred motor vehicle, is entitled to receive regular plates for the motor 
4.21 	vehicle without cost for the rest of the registration period for which the set of special plates 
4.22 	were issued. Special plates issued under this subdivision may be transferred to another 
4.23 	motor vehicle owned by the volunteer ambulance attendant on payment of a fee of $5.
4.24 	(d) The commissioner may adopt rules governing the design, issuance, and sale of 
4.25 	the special plates authorized by this subdivision.

4.26 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1235, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.27 		Subdivision 1.General requirements; fees. (a) The commissioner shall issue a 
4.28 	special plate emblem for each plate to an applicant who:
4.29 	(1) is a member of a congressionally chartered veterans service organization and 
4.30 	is a registered owner of a passenger automobile, pickup truck, van, or self-propelled 
4.31 	recreational vehicle, or motorcycle;
4.32 	(2) pays the registration tax required by law;
4.33 	(3) pays a fee of $10 for each set of two plates, and any other fees required by 
4.34 	this chapter; and
5.1 	(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles 
5.2 	and licensing of drivers.
5.3 	(b) The additional fee of $10 is payable at the time of initial application for the 
5.4 	special plate emblem and when the plates must be replaced or renewed. An applicant must 
5.5 	not be issued more than two sets of special plate emblems for motor vehicles listed in 
5.6 	paragraph (a) and registered to the applicant.
5.7 	(c) The applicant must present a valid card indicating membership in the American 
5.8 	Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.

5.9 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1255, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
5.10 		Subdivision 1.General requirements and procedures. The commissioner shall 
5.11 	issue special veteran contribution plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
5.12 	(1) is a veteran, as defined in section 197.447;
5.13 	(2) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile or motorcycle;
5.14 	(3) pays a fee of $10 to cover the costs of handling and manufacturing the plates;
5.15 	(4) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
5.16 	(5) pays the fees required under this chapter;
5.17 	(6) pays an additional onetime World War II memorial contribution of $30, which 
5.18 	the department shall retain until all start-up costs associated with the development and 
5.19 	issuing of the plates have been recovered, after which the commissioner shall deposit 
5.20 	contributions in the World War II donation match account; and
5.21 	(7) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles 
5.22 	and licensing of drivers.

5.23 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1255, is amended by adding a subdivision 
5.24 	to read:
5.25 		Subd. 1a.Motorcycle plate. A motorcycle plate issued under this section must be 
5.26 	the same size as a regular motorcycle plate.

5.27 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1255, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
5.28 		Subd. 3.Plate transfers. Despite section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a 
5.29 	transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger 
5.30 	automobile registered to the individual to whom the veteran contribution plates were 
5.31 	issued, or a single motorcycle plate may be transferred to another motorcycle registered to 
5.32 	the individual to whom the plate was issued.

6.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1255, is amended by adding a subdivision 
6.2 	to read:
6.3 		Subd. 6.World War II memorial donation match account. Money remaining 
6.4 	in the World War II memorial donation match account after the state share of the 
6.5 	construction costs of the World War II memorial has been paid in full is appropriated to the 
6.6 	commissioner of veterans affairs for services and programs for veterans and their families.

6.7 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.129, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.8 		Subdivision 1.General requirements and procedures. The commissioner shall 
6.9 	issue special collegiate plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
6.10 	(1) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile or motorcycle;
6.11 	(2) pays a fee as specified in section 168.12, subdivision 5, to cover the costs of 
6.12 	handling and manufacturing the plates;
6.13 	(3) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
6.14 	(4) pays the fees required under this chapter;
6.15 	(5) contributes at least $25 annually to the scholarship account established in 
6.16 	subdivision 6; and
6.17 	(6) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles 
6.18 	and licensing of drivers.

6.19 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1296, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.20 		Subdivision 1.General requirements and procedures. (a) The commissioner shall 
6.21 	issue critical habitat plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
6.22 	(1) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile or, recreational vehicle, or 
6.23 	motorcycle;
6.24 	(2) pays a fee of $10 to cover the costs of handling and manufacturing the plates;
6.25 	(3) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
6.26 	(4) pays the fees required under this chapter;
6.27 	(5) contributes a minimum of $30 annually to the Minnesota critical habitat private 
6.28 	sector matching account established in section 84.943; and
6.29 	(6) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles 
6.30 	and licensing of drivers.
6.31 	(b) The critical habitat plate application must indicate that the annual contribution 
6.32 	specified under paragraph (a), clause (5), is a minimum contribution to receive the plate 
6.33 	and that the applicant may make an additional contribution to the account.
7.1 	(c) Owners of recreational vehicles under paragraph (a), clause (1), are eligible 
7.2 	only for special critical habitat license plates for which the designs are selected under 
7.3 	subdivision 2, on or after January 1, 2006.
7.4 	(d) Special critical habitat license plates, the designs for which are selected under 
7.5 	subdivision 2, on or after January 1, 2006, may be personalized according to section 
7.6 	168.12, subdivision 2a.

7.7 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1297, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.8 		Subdivision 1.General requirements and procedures. The commissioner shall 
7.9 	issue special "Rotary member" plates or single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
7.10 	(1) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile or motorcycle;
7.11 	(2) pays a fee of $10 to cover the costs of handling and manufacturing the plates;
7.12 	(3) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
7.13 	(4) pays the fees required under this chapter;
7.14 	(5) submits proof to the commissioner that the applicant is a member of Rotary 
7.15 	International; and
7.16 	(6) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles 
7.17 	and licensing of drivers.

7.18 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 190.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.19 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account is 
7.20 	established in the special revenue fund. The account shall consist of contributions from 
7.21 	private sources and appropriations. Money in the account is appropriated in equal shares 
7.22 	to the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

7.23 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 190.19, subdivision 2, is 
7.24 	amended to read:
7.25 		Subd. 2.Uses. (a) Money appropriated from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" 
7.26 	account to the Department of Military Affairs may be used for:
7.27 	(1) grants directly to eligible individuals;
7.28 	(2) grants to one or more eligible foundations for the purpose of making grants to 
7.29 	eligible individuals, as provided in this section; or
7.30 	(3) veterans' services.
7.31 	(b) As used in paragraph (a), the term, "eligible individual" includes any person 
7.32 	who is:
8.1 	(1) a member of the Minnesota National Guard or a reserve unit based in Minnesota 
8.2 	who has been called to active service as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5;
8.3 	(2) a Minnesota resident who is a member of a military reserve unit not based 
8.4 	in Minnesota, if the member is called to active service as defined in section 190.05, 
8.5 	subdivision 5;
8.6 	(3) any other Minnesota resident performing active service for any branch of the 
8.7 	military of the United States; 
8.8 	(4) a person who served in one of the capacities listed in clause (1), (2), or (3) who 
8.9 	has current financial needs directly related to that service; and
8.10 	(5) a member of the immediate family of an individual identified in clause (1), (2), 
8.11 	(3), or (4). For purposes of this clause, "immediate family" means the individual's spouse 
8.12 	and minor children and, if they are dependents of the member of the military, the member's 
8.13 	parents, grandparents, siblings, stepchildren, and adult children.
8.14 	(c) As used in paragraph (a), the term "eligible foundation" includes any organization 
8.15 	that:
8.16 	(1) is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
8.17 	Code;
8.18 	(2) has articles of incorporation under chapter 317A specifying the purpose of 
8.19 	the organization as including the provision of financial assistance to members of the 
8.20 	Minnesota National Guard and other United States armed forces reserves and their 
8.21 	families and survivors; and
8.22 	(3) agrees in writing to distribute any grant money received from the adjutant general 
8.23 	under this section to eligible individuals as defined in this section and in accordance 
8.24 	with any written policies and rules the adjutant general may impose as conditions of the 
8.25 	grant to the foundation.
8.26 	(d) The maximum grant awarded to an eligible individual under paragraph (a) in a 
8.27 	calendar year with funds from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account, either through 
8.28 	an eligible institution or directly from the adjutant general, may not exceed $2,000.
8.29 	(e) Money appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs from the Minnesota 
8.30 	"Support Our Troops" account may be used for:
8.31 	(1) grants to veterans service organizations; and
8.32 	(2) outreach to underserved veterans.