HF 1803

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/09/2017 10:59am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; expanding eligibility for firefighter special plates;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 168.12, subdivision 2b.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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 new text begin either (i) new text end a member of a fire department receiving state aid under chapter 69 deleted text begin , has deleted text end new text begin
with new text end a letter from the fire chief, deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin or (ii) an active firefighter for the Department of Natural
Resources, a tribal government, or a federal agency with a letter from the area supervisor;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end is an owner of a passenger automobile, a one-ton pickup truck, or a motorcycle;

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end pays a fee of $10 and any other fees required by this chapter;

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end pays the registration tax required by this chapter for the motor vehicle; and

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end 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.

(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.

(f) 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.