HF 3393

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/08/2018 02:17pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing permanent, free state park permits to active
military personnel and disabled veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2017
Supplement, section 85.053, subdivisions 8, 10.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 85.053, subdivision 8, is amended
to read:

Subd. 8.

Free permit; military personnel.

(a) deleted text begin Annual deleted text end Permits under subdivision 1 must
be issued without a fee to active military personnel in any branch or unit of the United States
armed forces or their dependents and to recipients of a Purple Heart medal. To qualify for
a free permit under this subdivision, a person must present qualifying military identification
or an annual pass for the United States military issued through the National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass program to the park attendant on duty or other designee of the
commissioner. new text begin Permits issued under this subdivision automatically renew annually from
the date of issue, without charge or reapplication. The on-duty park attendant or other
designee of the commissioner may request proof of continued eligibility under this
subdivision at any time. If a person is unable to provide proof of continued eligibility, the
on-duty park attendant or other designee of the commissioner may revoke the permit. A
person whose permit is revoked is not barred from reapplying for a benefit under this section.
new text end

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, the commissioner shall establish what constitutes
qualifying military identification in the State Register.

(c) 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.

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

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 85.053, subdivision 10, is amended
to read:

Subd. 10.

Free permit; disabled veterans.

(a) The commissioner shall issue deleted text begin an annual deleted text end new text begin
a new text end park permit for no charge to any veteran 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 or other official form of validation issued by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of Defense
to a park attendant or commissioner's designee. For the purposes of this subdivision, "veteran"
has the meaning given in section 197.447. new text begin Permits issued under this subdivision automatically
renew annually from the date of issue, without charge or reapplication. The on-duty park
attendant or other designee of the commissioner may request proof of continued eligibility
under this subdivision at any time. If a person is unable to provide proof of continued
eligibility, the on-duty park attendant or other designee of the commissioner may revoke
the permit. A person whose permit is revoked is not barred from reapplying for a benefit
under this section.
new text end

(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.

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