Minnesota Session Laws - 1983, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1983 

                        CHAPTER 363--S.F.No. 855
           An act relating to motor vehicles; exempting certain 
          vehicles from license fees; authorizing the use of 
          certain state department vehicles without uniform 
          coloring or marking; amending Minnesota Statutes 1982, 
          sections 16.75, subdivision 7; and 168.012, 
          subdivision 1.  
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 16.75, 
subdivision 7, is amended to read:  
    Subd. 7.  The commissioner of administration shall 
establish all rules necessary for the efficient and economical 
operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of state-owned 
motor vehicles in the central motor pool or any branch thereof.  
The rules shall include the requirements for keeping records and 
reports and all schedules used as a basis for charging 
departments and agencies for the services furnished.  They shall 
also provide for periodic reimbursements by the department or 
agency using the motor pool services.  The commissioner of 
administration by rule shall provide for the uniform marking of 
all such motor vehicles.  The coloring for the motor vehicles 
shall be selected from the regular color chart provided by the 
manufacturer each year.  The commissioner may further provide by 
rule for the use of motor vehicles without uniform coloring or 
marking by the division of criminal apprehension and arson 
investigators of the division of fire marshal in the department 
of public safety and the office of the attorney general.  The 
provisions of the administrative procedure act shall not apply 
to rules promulgated pursuant to this subdivision. 
     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 168.012, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read:  
    Subdivision 1.  Vehicles owned and used solely in the 
transaction of official business by representatives of foreign 
powers, by the federal government, the state, or any political 
subdivision thereof, or vehicles owned and used exclusively by 
educational institutions and used solely in the transportation 
of pupils to and from such institutions, shall be exempt from 
the provision of this chapter requiring payment of tax or 
registration fees. Vehicles owned by the federal government, 
municipal fire apparatus, police patrols and ambulances, the 
general appearance of which is unmistakable, shall not be 
required to register or display number plates.  Vehicles used in 
general police work, arson investigations, and passenger 
vehicles, station wagons, and buses owned or operated by the 
department of corrections shall be registered and shall display 
passenger vehicle classification license number plates which 
shall be furnished by the registrar at cost.  All other motor 
vehicles shall be registered and display tax exempt number 
plates which shall be furnished by the registrar at cost.  All 
vehicles required to display tax exempt number plates shall have 
the name of the state department or public subdivision on the 
vehicle plainly printed on both sides thereof in letters not 
less than 2-1/2 inches high, one inch wide and of a 
three-eighths inch stroke; except that each state hospital and 
institution for the mentally ill and mentally retarded may have 
one vehicle without the required printing on the sides of the 
vehicle.  Such printing shall be in a color giving a marked 
contrast with that of the part of the vehicle on which it is 
placed and shall be done with a good quality of paint that will 
endure throughout the term of the registration.  The printing 
must be on a part of the vehicle itself and not on a removable 
plate or placard of any kind and shall be kept clean and visible 
at all times; except that a removable plate or placard may be 
utilized on vehicles leased or loaned to a political subdivision.
The owner of any such vehicle desiring to come under the 
foregoing exemption provisions shall first notify the chief of 
the state patrol who shall provide suitable seals and cause the 
same to be affixed to any such vehicle. 
    Approved June 14, 1983