HF 1734

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/18/2016 04:36pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying conditions for state park passes issued
without a fee to active military personnel and disabled veterans; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 85.053, subdivisions 8, 10.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 85.053, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Military personnel; exemption.

(a) deleted text begin A one-day permit, deleted text end new text begin An annual permit
new text end under subdivision deleted text begin 4, shall deleted text end new text begin 1 must new text end be issued without a fee deleted text begin for a motor vehicle being used by
a person who is serving in active military service deleted text end new text begin to active military personnel new text end in any branch
or unit of the United States armed forces deleted text begin and who is stationed outside Minnesota, during the
period of active service and for 90 days immediately thereafter, deleted text end new text begin or their dependents new text end if the
person presents deleted text begin the person's current military orders deleted text end new text begin a qualifying military identification or
an annual pass for the United States military issued through the National Parks and Federal
Lands Pass Program new text end to the park attendant on duty or other designee of the commissioner.

(b) For purposes of this section, deleted text begin "active service" has the meaning given under section
190.05, subdivision 5c, when performed outside Minnesota deleted text end new text begin the commissioner shall
establish what constitutes a qualifying military identification by written order published
in the State Register. The written order is exempt from the rulemaking provisions of
chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply new text end .

(c) deleted text begin A permit is not required for a motor vehicle being used by military personnel or
their dependents who have in their possession the annual pass for United States military
and their dependents issued by the federal government for access to federal recreation
sites. deleted text end new text begin For vehicles permitted under paragraph (a), the permit or decal issued under this
subdivision is valid only when displayed on a vehicle owned and occupied by the person
to whom the permit is issued.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner may issue a daily vehicle permit free of charge to an individual
who qualifies under paragraph (a) and who does not own or operate a motor vehicle.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 85.053, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Free entrance; disabled veterans.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner shall
issue an annual park permit for no charge to any veteran deleted text begin with a total and permanent
service-connected disability, and a daily park permit to any resident veteran deleted text end with any level
of service-connected disability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs, who presents each year a copy of the veteran's determination letter new text begin or other official
form of validation issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the
United States Department of Defense new text end to a park attendant or commissioner's designee. For
the purposes of this section, "veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.

new text begin (b) For vehicles permitted under paragraph (a), the permit or decal issued under this
subdivision is valid only when displayed on a vehicle owned and occupied by the person
to whom the permit is issued.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may issue a daily vehicle permit free of charge to an individual
who qualifies under paragraph (a) and who does not own or operate a motor vehicle.
new text end