HF 95

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 01/14/2021 02:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; allowing the transfer of license plates; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 168.021, subdivision 2a; 168.10, subdivision
1i; 168.12, subdivisions 1, 2, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2g; 168.124, subdivision 4; 168.125,
subdivision 1c; 168.128, subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections
168.121, subdivision 3; 168.123, subdivision 4; 168.1235, subdivision 4; 168.1253,
subdivision 5; 168.1255, subdivision 3; 168.1256, subdivision 3; 168.1282,
subdivision 3; 168.129, subdivision 4; 168.1294, subdivision 3; 168.1295,
subdivision 4; 168.1296, subdivision 4; 168.1298, subdivision 4; 168.1299,
subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.021, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Plate transfer.

(a) When ownership of a vehicle described in subdivision 1,
is transferred, the owner of the vehicle shall remove the disability plate or plates. The buyer
of the motor vehicle is entitled to receive a regular plate or plates for the vehicle without
further cost for the remainder of the registration period.

(b) Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, the disability plate or plates may be
transferred to a replacement vehicle on notification to the commissioner. However, the
disability plate or plates may not be transferred new text begin without a fee new text end unless the replacement vehicle
(1) is listed under section 168.012, subdivision 1, and, in case of a single plate for a
motorcycle or a motorized bicycle, the replacement vehicle is a motorcycle or a motorized
bicycle, and (2) is owned or primarily operated by the permanently physically disabled
person.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.10, subdivision 1i, is amended to read:

Subd. 1i.

Collector plate transfer.

deleted text begin Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, on
payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another
vehicle owned or jointly owned by the person to whom the special plates were issued or
the plate may be assigned to another owner. deleted text end In addition to the transfer fee new text begin required by section
168.12, subdivision 1, new text end a new owner must pay the $25 tax and any fee required by section
168.12, subdivision 2a. deleted text begin The $5 fee must be paid into the state treasury and credited to the
vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705, subdivision 1. License plates
issued under this section may not be transferred to a vehicle not eligible for the collector's
vehicle license plates.
deleted text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Plates; design, visibility, periods of issuance.

(a) The commissioner,
upon approval and payment, shall issue to the applicant the plates required by this chapter,
bearing the state name and an assigned vehicle registration number. The number assigned
by the commissioner may be a combination of a letter or sign with figures. The color of the
plates and the color of the abbreviation of the state name and the number assigned must be
in marked contrast. The plates must be lettered, spaced, or distinguished to suitably indicate
the registration of the vehicle according to the rules of the commissioner.

(b) When a vehicle is registered on the basis of total gross weight, the plates issued must
clearly indicate by letters or other suitable insignia the maximum gross weight for which
the tax has been paid.

(c) Plates issued to a noncommercial vehicle must bear the inscription "noncommercial"
unless the vehicle is displaying a special plate authorized and issued under this chapter.

(d) A one-ton pickup truck that is used for commercial purposes and is subject to section
168.185, is eligible to display special plates as authorized and issued under this chapter.

(e) The plates must be so treated as to be at least 100 times brighter than the conventional
painted number plates. When properly mounted on an unlighted vehicle, the plates, when
viewed from a vehicle equipped with standard headlights, must be visible for a distance of
not less than 1,500 feet and readable for a distance of not less than 110 feet.

(f) The commissioner shall issue plates for the following periods:

(1) New plates issued pursuant to section 168.012, subdivision 1, must be issued to a
vehicle for as long as the vehicle is owned by the exempt agency and the plate shall not be
transferable from one vehicle to another but the plate may be transferred with the vehicle
from one tax-exempt agency to another.

(2) Plates issued for passenger automobiles must be issued for a seven-year period. All
plates issued under this paragraph must be replaced if they are seven years old or older at
the time of registration renewal or will become so during the registration period.

(3) Plates issued under sections 168.053 and 168.27, subdivisions 16 and 17, must be
for a seven-year period.

(4) Plates issued under subdivisions 2c and 2d and section 168.123 must be issued for
the life of the veteran under section 169.79.

(5) Plates for any vehicle not specified in clauses (1) to (3) must be issued for the life
of the vehicle.

(g) In a year in which plates are not issued, the commissioner shall issue for each
registration a sticker to designate the year of registration. This sticker must show the year
or years for which the sticker is issued, and is valid only for that period. deleted text begin The plates and
stickers issued for a vehicle may not be transferred to another vehicle during the period for
which the sticker is issued, except when issued for a vehicle registered under section 168.187.
deleted text end

(h) Despite any other provision of this subdivision, plates issued to a vehicle used for
behind-the-wheel instruction in a driver education course in a public school may be
transferred to another vehicle used for the same purpose without payment of any additional
fee. The public school shall notify the commissioner of each transfer of plates under this
paragraph. The commissioner may prescribe a format for notification.

new text begin (i) Except as otherwise prohibited, a person may transfer license plates to different
vehicles owned or jointly owned by the person to whom the plates were issued. The person
transferring the plates must pay a transfer fee of $5. The $5 fee must be paid into the state
treasury and credited to the vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705,
subdivision 1. Special license plates issued under this chapter must not be transferred to a
vehicle that is not eligible for that type of special license plates.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Amateur radio licensee; special plates, rules.

(a) The commissioner shall
issue amateur radio plates to an applicant who:

(1) is an owner of a passenger automobile or recreational vehicle;

(2) is a resident of this state;

(3) holds an official amateur radio station license or a citizens radio service class D
license, in good standing, issued by the Federal Communications Commission;

(4) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;

(5) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under subdivision 5, for each
set of special plates and any other fees required by this chapter; and

(6) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.

(b) In lieu of the registration number required for identification under subdivision 1, the
plates must indicate the official amateur call letters of the applicant, as assigned by the
Federal Communications Commission, and the words "AMATEUR RADIO."

(c) This provision for the issue of special plates applies only if the applicant's motor
vehicle is already registered in Minnesota so that the applicant has valid regular Minnesota
plates issued for that motor vehicle under which to operate it during the time that it will
take to have the necessary special plates made.

(d) If owning more than one motor vehicle of the type specified in this subdivision, the
applicant may apply for special plates for each motor vehicle and, if each application
complies with this subdivision, the commissioner shall furnish the applicant with the special
plates, indicating the official amateur call letters and other distinguishing information as
the commissioner considers necessary, for each of the motor vehicles.

(e) The commissioner may make reasonable rules governing the use of the special plates
as will assure the full compliance by the owner of the special plates, with all existing laws
governing the registration of motor vehicles and the transfer and use of the plates.

deleted text begin (f) Despite any contrary provision of subdivision 1, the special plates issued under this
subdivision may be transferred by an owner to another motor vehicle listed in paragraph
(a) and registered to the same owner, upon the payment of a fee of $5. The commissioner
must be notified before the transfer and may prescribe a format for the notification.
deleted text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.12, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Firefighters; special plates, rules.

(a) The commissioner shall issue special
plates, or a single license plate in the case of a motorcycle plate, to any applicant who:

(1) is a member of a fire department receiving state aid under chapter 69, has a letter
from the fire chief, and is an owner of a passenger automobile, a one-ton pickup truck, or
a motorcycle;

(2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under subdivision 5, and any
other fees required by this chapter;

(3) pays the registration tax required by this chapter for the motor vehicle; and

(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.

(b) In lieu of the identification required under subdivision 1, the special plates must bear
an emblem of a Maltese Cross together with any numbers or characters prescribed by the
commissioner.

(c) Special plates issued under this subdivision may only be used during the period that
the owner of the motor vehicle is a member of a fire department as specified in this
subdivision. When the individual to whom the special plates were issued is no longer a
member of a fire department or when the motor vehicle ownership is transferred, the owner
shall remove the special plates from the motor vehicle. If the commissioner receives written
notification that an individual is no longer qualified for these special plates, the commissioner
shall invalidate the plates and notify the individual of this action. The individual may retain
the plate only upon demonstrating compliance with the qualifications of this subdivision.
Upon removal or invalidation of the special plates or special motorcycle plate, the owner
or purchaser of the motor vehicle shall obtain regular plates, a regular motorcycle plate, or
special plates for the proper registration classification for the motor vehicle.

(d) A special motorcycle license plate issued under this subdivision must be the same
size as a standard motorcycle license plate.

deleted text begin (e) Upon payment of a fee of $5, plates issued under this subdivision for a passenger
automobile or truck may be transferred to another passenger automobile or truck owned or
jointly owned by the person to whom the plates were issued. On payment of a fee of $5, a
plate issued under this subdivision for a motorcycle may be transferred to another motorcycle
owned or jointly owned by the person to whom the plate was issued.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The commissioner may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act,
sections 14.001 to 14.69, to govern the issuance and use of the special plates authorized in
this subdivision.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.12, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:

Subd. 2c.

National Guard; special plates, rules.

(a) The commissioner shall issue
special plates to any applicant who:

(1) is a regularly enlisted, commissioned, or retired member of the Minnesota National
Guard, other than an inactive member who is not a retired member, and is an owner of a
passenger automobile;

(2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under subdivision 5, and any
other fees required by this chapter;

(3) pays the registration tax required by this chapter; and

(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.

(b) The adjutant general shall design the emblem for these special plates subject to the
approval of the commissioner.

(c) Special plates issued under this subdivision may only be used during the period that
the owner of the motor vehicle is an active or retired member of the Minnesota National
Guard as specified in this subdivision. When the individual to whom the special plates were
issued is no longer an active or retired member of the Minnesota National Guard, the special
plates must be removed from the vehicle by the owner. If the commissioner receives written
notification that an individual is no longer qualified for these special plates, the commissioner
shall invalidate the plates and notify the individual of this action. The individual may retain
the plate only upon demonstrating compliance with the qualifications of this subdivision.
Upon removal or invalidation of the special plates, either the owner or purchaser of the
motor vehicle shall obtain regular plates for the motor vehicle.

deleted text begin (d) While the person is an active or retired member of the Minnesota National Guard,
plates issued pursuant to this subdivision may be transferred to another motor vehicle owned
by that individual upon payment of a fee of $5.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end For purposes of this subdivision, "retired member" means an individual placed
on the roll of retired officers or roll of retired enlisted members in the Office of the Adjutant
General under section 192.18 and who is not deceased.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The commissioner may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to
govern the issuance and use of the special plates authorized by this subdivision.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.12, subdivision 2d, is amended to read:

Subd. 2d.

Ready Reserve; special plates, rules.

(a) The commissioner shall issue special
plates to an applicant who:

(1) is not eligible for special National Guard plates under subdivision 2c, is a member
of the United States armed forces ready reserve as described in United States Code, title
10, section 10142 or 10143, or a retired reserve as described in United States Code, title
10, section 10154, and is an owner of a passenger automobile;

(2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under subdivision 5, and any
other fees required by this chapter;

(3) pays the registration tax required by this chapter; and

(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.

(b) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall design the emblem for these special plates
subject to the approval of the commissioner.

(c) Special plates issued under this subdivision may only be used during the period that
the owner of the motor vehicle is a member of the ready reserve. When the owner is no
longer a member, the special plates must be removed from the motor vehicle by the owner.
If the commissioner receives written notification that an individual is no longer qualified
for these special plates, the commissioner shall invalidate the plates and notify the individual
of this action. The individual may retain the plate only upon demonstrating compliance with
the qualifications of this subdivision. On removal or invalidation of the special plates, either
the owner or purchaser of the motor vehicle shall obtain regular plates for the motor vehicle.
deleted text begin While the owner is a member of the ready reserve, plates issued under this subdivision may
be transferred to another motor vehicle owned by that individual on paying a fee of $5.
deleted text end

(d) The commissioner may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to govern
the issuance and use of the special plates authorized by this subdivision.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.12, subdivision 2e, is amended to read:

Subd. 2e.

Volunteer ambulance attendants; special plates.

(a) The commissioner shall
issue special license plates to an applicant who:

(1) is a volunteer ambulance attendant as defined in section 144E.001, subdivision 15,
and owns a motor vehicle taxed as a passenger automobile;

(2) pays the registration tax required by this chapter for the motor vehicle;

(3) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under subdivision 5, and any
other fees required by this chapter; and

(4) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.

(b) An individual may use special plates issued under this subdivision only during the
period that the individual is a volunteer ambulance attendant. When the individual to whom
the special plates were issued ceases to be a volunteer ambulance attendant, the individual
shall remove each set of special plates issued. If the commissioner receives written
notification that an individual is no longer qualified for these special plates, the commissioner
shall invalidate the plates and notify the individual of this action. The individual may retain
the plate only upon demonstrating compliance with the qualifications of this subdivision.
When ownership of the motor vehicle is transferred, the individual shall remove the special
plates from that motor vehicle. On removal or invalidation of the special plates, the owner
or purchaser of the motor vehicle shall obtain regular plates for the motor vehicle. deleted text begin Special
plates issued under this subdivision may be transferred to another motor vehicle owned by
the volunteer ambulance attendant on payment of a fee of $5.
deleted text end

(c) The commissioner may adopt rules governing the design, issuance, and sale of the
special plates authorized by this subdivision.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.12, subdivision 2g, is amended to read:

Subd. 2g.

Retired firefighters; special plates.

(a) The commissioner shall issue special
retired firefighters plates to an applicant who:

(1) is a retired member of a fire department as defined in section 299N.01, subdivision
2, has a letter from the fire chief affirming that the applicant is a retired firefighter who
served ten or more years and separated in good standing, and is a registered owner of a
passenger automobile, a one-ton pickup truck, a recreational vehicle, or a motorcycle;

(2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under subdivision 5, for each
set of license plates applied for along with any other fees required by this chapter; and

(3) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.

(b) The commissioner shall design the special plate emblem so that it is distinguishable
from the emblem on firefighter special plates issued under subdivision 2b.

deleted text begin (c) On payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this subdivision may be
transferred to another passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, recreational vehicle, or
motorcycle registered to the individual to whom the special plates were issued.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Fees collected under this subdivision must be credited to the vehicle services
operating account under section 299A.705.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end This subdivision is exempt from section 168.1293.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.124, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Transfer.

deleted text begin Despite the provisions of deleted text end new text begin Notwithstanding new text end section 168.12, subdivision
1, Medal of Honor plates issued under this section may be transferred new text begin without a fee new text end to
another personal motor vehicle registered to the Medal of Honor recipient upon notification
to the commissioner.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.125, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:

Subd. 1c.

Plates transfer.

deleted text begin Despite the provisions of deleted text end new text begin Notwithstanding new text end section 168.12,
subdivision 1, the special plates issued under this section may be transferred new text begin without a fee new text end
to another motor vehicle registered to the former prisoner of war upon notification to the
commissioner.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 168.128, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Plates.

(a) A person who operates a limousine for other than personal use shall
register the motor vehicle as provided in this section. A person who operates a limousine
for personal use may apply for limousine plates.

(b) The commissioner shall issue limousine plates to the registered owner of a limousine
who:

(1) certifies that an insurance policy or policies under section 65B.135, in the minimum
aggregate amount required under that section, is in effect for the entire period of the
registration;

(2) provides the commissioner with proof that the passenger automobile registration tax
and a fee in the amount specified for special plates under section 168.12, subdivision 5,
have been paid for each limousine receiving limousine plates; and

(3) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.

(c) The limousine plates must be designed to specifically identify the vehicle as a
limousine and must be clearly marked with the letters "LM." Limousine plates may not be
transferred upon sale of the limousine, but may be transferred to another limousine owned
by the same person upon notifying the commissioner and paying deleted text begin a $5 deleted text end new text begin the new text end transfer fee new text begin required
by section 168.12, subdivision 1, paragraph (i) new text end .

Sec. 13. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 168.121, subdivision 3; 168.123, subdivision 4;
168.1235, subdivision 4; 168.1253, subdivision 5; 168.1255, subdivision 3; 168.1256,
subdivision 3; 168.1282, subdivision 3; 168.129, subdivision 4; 168.1294, subdivision 3;
168.1295, subdivision 4; 168.1296, subdivision 4; 168.1298, subdivision 4; and 168.1299,
subdivision 3, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 21-00718

168.121 SPECIAL PLATES REMEMBERING VICTIMS OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS.

Subd. 3.

Plates transfer.

On payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile registered to the individual to whom the special plates were issued.

168.123 VETERANS; SPECIAL PLATES.

Subd. 4.

Plates transfer.

(a) On payment of a fee of $5, plates issued under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), may be transferred to another passenger automobile or recreational motor vehicle, or one-ton truck described in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), registered to the individual to whom the plates were issued.

(b) On payment of a fee of $5, a plate issued under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), may be transferred to another motorcycle registered to the individual to whom the plate was issued.

168.1235 VETERANS SERVICE GROUP EMBLEMS.

Subd. 4.

Plate emblem transfer.

Despite section 168.12 or other law to the contrary, on payment of a fee of $5, the veterans service organization special plate emblems issued under subdivision 1, may be transferred by the owner to other plates on a passenger automobile, pickup truck, van, or self-propelled recreational vehicle registered to the person to whom the emblems were issued.

168.1253 GOLD STAR LICENSE PLATE.

Subd. 5.

Transfer.

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

168.1255 "PROUD TO BE A VETERAN" PLATE.

Subd. 3.

Plate transfers.

Despite section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile registered to the individual to whom the veteran contribution plates were issued, or a single motorcycle plate may be transferred to another motorcycle registered to the individual to whom the plate was issued.

168.1256 RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL PLATES.

Subd. 3.

Plates transfer.

On application to the commissioner and payment of a transfer fee of $5, special plates issued under this section may be transferred to another motor vehicle if the subsequent vehicle is:

(1) qualified under subdivision 1, clause (1), to bear the special plates; and

(2) registered to the same individual to whom the special plates were originally issued.

168.1282 "START SEEING MOTORCYCLES" SPECIAL PLATES.

Subd. 3.

Plates transfer.

On application to the commissioner and payment of a transfer fee of $5, special plates issued under this section may be transferred to another motor vehicle if the subsequent vehicle is:

(1) qualified under subdivision 1, clause (1), to bear the special plates; and

(2) registered to the same individual to whom the special plates were originally issued.

168.129 SPECIAL COLLEGIATE PLATES.

Subd. 4.

Plates transfer.

Despite section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile registered to the individual to whom the special collegiate plates were issued.

168.1294 LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL PLATES.

Subd. 3.

Plates transfer.

On application to the commissioner and payment of a transfer fee of $5, special plates may be transferred to another qualified motor vehicle that is registered to the same individual to whom the special plates were originally issued.

168.1295 STATE PARKS AND TRAILS PLATES.

Subd. 4.

Plate transfers.

Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile registered to the person to whom the plates were issued.

168.1296 CRITICAL HABITAT PLATES.

Subd. 4.

Plate transfers.

Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile registered to the person to whom the plates were issued.

168.1298 SPECIAL "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" PLATES.

Subd. 4.

Plate transfers.

Notwithstanding section 168.12, subdivision 1, on payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, recreational vehicle, or motorcycle owned by the individual to whom the special plates were issued.

168.1299 MINNESOTA GOLF PLATES.

Subd. 3.

Plates transfer.

On payment of a fee of $5, plates issued under this section may be transferred to another passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or other recreational vehicle registered to the individual to whom the special plates were issued.