HF 5207

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/18/2024 08:11pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing a special license plate for solar pollinator
programs; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 168.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [168.1289] MINNESOTA SOLAR POLLINATOR PROGRAM SPECIAL
LICENSE PLATES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Issuance of plates. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must issue solar pollinator
program special license plates or a single motorcycle plate to an applicant who:
new text end

new text begin (1) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup
truck, motorcycle, or recreational motor vehicle;
new text end

new text begin (2) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under section 168.12, subdivision
5, for each set of plates, along with any other fees required by this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (3) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
new text end

new text begin (4) contributes a minimum of $60 annually to the special pollinator program account;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) complies with this chapter and rules governing registration of motor vehicles and
licensing of drivers.
new text end

new text begin (b) The solar pollinator program plate application must indicate that the annual
contribution specified under paragraph (a), clause (4), is a minimum contribution to receive
the plate and that the applicant may make an additional contribution to the account.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Design. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must adopt a suitable plate design in consultation
with the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the commissioner of agriculture, and other
groups interested in solar pollinator habitats and gardens.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Plates transfer. new text end

new text begin 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:
new text end

new text begin (1) qualified under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), to bear the special plate; and
new text end

new text begin (2) registered to the same individual to whom the special plates were originally issued.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Exemption. new text end

new text begin Special plates issued under this section are not subject to section
168.1293, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Contributions; account; appropriation. new text end

new text begin Contributions collected under
subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (4), must be deposited in the special pollinator program
account, which is established in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is annually
appropriated to the commissioner of public safety. This appropriation is first for the annual
cost of administering the account, and the remaining money is for distribution as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) 65 percent to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for the habitat friendly solar
program; and
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new text begin (2) 35 percent to the commissioner of agriculture to advise and educate solar site operators
on their agricultural water quality certification program.
new text end

new text begin By August 15 of each year, the commissioner must distribute all money remaining in the
account as required under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2025, for solar pollinator
program special plates issued on or after that date.
new text end