1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; authorizing Legion of Merit special license plates;
1.3 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [168.1245] LEGION OF MERIT SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Issuance of plates. (a) The commissioner must issue Legion of Merit 
1.7 	special license plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
1.8 	(1) is a recipient of the Legion of Merit;
1.9 	(2) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, 
1.10 	or recreational vehicle;
1.11 	(3) pays the registration tax as required under section 168.013; and
1.12 	(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles and 
1.13 	licensing of drivers.
1.14 	(b) Application for issuance of Legion of Merit special license plates may be made only 
1.15 	at the time of renewal or first application for registration.
1.16 	(c) The motor vehicle must be for personal use only and not for commercial purposes.
1.17 	(d) The commissioner may issue only one set of Legion of Merit special license plates, 
1.18 	or a single plate in the case of a motorcycle, for each qualified applicant.
1.19 		Subd. 2.Design. The commissioner must adopt a suitable plate design that includes the 
1.20 	phrase "LEGION OF MERIT."
2.1 		Subd. 3.No fee. The commissioner must issue a set of Legion of Merit special license 
2.2 	plates to qualified applicants free of charge, and the plates must be replaced without charge 
2.3 	if they become damaged. No fee may be charged for a subsequent year when a motor vehicle 
2.4 	listed in subdivision 1 upon which the Legion of Merit special license plates are placed is 
2.5 	registered under section 168.017.
2.6 		Subd. 4.Plates transfer. Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, Legion of 
2.7 	Merit special license plates issued under this section may be transferred to another motor 
2.8 	vehicle upon notification to the commissioner and without payment of a fee if the subsequent 
2.9 	motor vehicle is:
2.10 	(1) qualified under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), to bear the special license 
2.11 	plates; and
2.12 	(2) registered to the same individual to whom the special license plates were originally 
2.13 	issued.
2.14 		Subd. 5.Exemption. Special license plates issued under this section are not subject to 
2.15 	section 168.1293, subdivision 2.

2.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026, for Legion of Merit 
2.17 	special license plates issued on or after that date.