SF 2947

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/17/2023 08:36am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; creating special veterans' license plates for each branch
of the armed forces; 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 [168.1257] ARMED FORCES VETERAN SPECIAL PLATES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin General requirements and procedures. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding section
168.1293, the commissioner shall issue a set of special veterans' plates or a single motorcycle
plate to an applicant who:
new text end

new text begin (1) is a veteran, as defined in section 197.447;
new text end

new text begin (2) does not meet the criteria for veterans' special plates under section 168.123,
subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (3) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile as defined in section 168.002,
subdivision 24; recreational vehicle as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 27; one-ton
pickup truck as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 21b; or motorcycle as defined in
section 168.002, subdivision 19;
new text end

new text begin (4) pays a fee in the amount specified for special plates under section 168.12, subdivision
5, for each set of plates and any other fees required by this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (5) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013; and
new text end

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

new text begin (b) The applicant must have a certified copy of the applicant's discharge papers, indicating
character of discharge, at the time of application. If an applicant served in active military
service in a branch of the armed forces of a nation or society allied with the United States
in conducting a foreign war and is unable to obtain a record of that service and discharge
status, the commissioner of veterans affairs may certify the applicant as qualified for the
veterans' plates provided under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Motorcycle plate. new text end

new text begin A motorcycle plate issued under this section must be the
same size as a regular motorcycle plate. The commissioner shall only issue one motorcycle
plate for a motorcycle registered under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Design. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this subdivision, "branch of the armed forces"
means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine of the
United States, and all other uniformed services as defined in United States Code, title 52,
section 20310.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of public safety, in consultation with the commissioner of veterans
affairs, must issue a special veterans' plate for each branch of the armed forces. The special
plate must bear an inscription "VETERAN" at the bottom of the plate and include a special
emblem of the branch of the armed forces. The commissioner of veterans affairs shall design,
subject to the approval of the commissioner of public safety, the special emblem for each
branch of the armed forces used for the veterans' special plates. The commissioner of public
safety shall consult with veterans organizations from each branch of the armed forces on
the design of the branch's special veterans' plate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Plate transfers. 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, clause (3); 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. 5. new text end

new text begin Fees. new text end

new text begin The fees collected under this section must be deposited in the vehicle
services operating account under section 299A.705. Except for the fees paid under subdivision
1, the commissioner must issue a set of special veterans' plates, or a single plate for a
motorcycle, to an eligible person free of charge and shall replace the plate or plates without
charge if they become damaged.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Costs of production. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of management and budget may
transfer money in the "Support Our Troops" account under section 190.19, subdivision 2a,
to the vehicle services account under section 299A.705, subdivision 1, to pay for the cost
of production of the license plates authorized under this section. The commissioner of
veterans affairs and the commissioner of public safety must agree on a payment schedule
before any money may be transferred under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, for armed forces special
veteran plates issued on or after that date.
new text end