1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to motor vehicles; creating special "Mississippi River" plate; 
1.3 	appropriating money;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.4 	chapter 168.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [168.1299] SPECIAL "MISSISSIPPI RIVER" PLATES.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.General requirements and procedures. (a) Notwithstanding 
1.8 	section 168.1293, the commissioner shall issue special "Mississippi River" license plates 
1.9 	to an applicant who:
1.10 	(1) is a registered owner of a passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, 
1.11 	recreational vehicle, or motorcycle;
1.12 	(2) pays a fee of $10 for each set of plates to cover the costs of handling and 
1.13 	manufacturing the plates;
1.14 	(3) pays the registration tax required under section 168.013;
1.15 	(4) pays the fees required under this chapter;
1.16 	(5) contributes a minimum of $30 annually to the Mississippi River donation 
1.17 	account; and
1.18 	(6) complies with laws and rules governing registration and licensing of vehicles 
1.19 	and drivers.
1.20 	(b) The license application under this section must state that the annual contribution 
1.21 	specified under paragraph (a), clause (5), is a minimum contribution to receive the plates 
1.22 	and that the applicant may make an additional contribution to the account.
2.1 		Subd. 2.Design. After consultation with interested groups, the commissioners of 
2.2 	natural resources and transportation shall jointly select a suitable symbol for use by the 
2.3 	commissioner to design the special plate.
2.4 		Subd. 3.No refund. Contributions under this section must not be refunded.
2.5 		Subd. 4.Plate transfers. On payment of a transfer fee of $5, plates issued under 
2.6 	this section may be transferred to another eligible vehicle as specified in subdivision 1, 
2.7 	paragraph (a), clause (1), that is owned by the individual to whom the special plates 
2.8 	were issued.
2.9 		Subd. 5.Contribution and fees credited. Contributions under subdivision 1, 
2.10 	paragraph (a), clause (5), must be paid to the commissioner and credited to the Mississippi 
2.11 	River donation account established in subdivision 6. The fees collected under this section 
2.12 	must be deposited in the vehicle services operating account in the special revenue fund.
2.13 		Subd. 6.Mississippi River donation account. (a) The Mississippi River donation 
2.14 	account is created in the state treasury. Money deposited in the account is appropriated to 
2.15 	the commissioner of natural resources for grants as specified in this subdivision.
2.16 	(b) The commissioner of natural resources shall establish requirements for the 
2.17 	grants, which must be made:
2.18 	(1) only to charitable organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of 
2.19 	the Internal Revenue Code; and
2.20 	(2) for the purposes of awareness, education, or stewardship programs designed to 
2.21 	benefit the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
2.22 		Subd. 7.Record. The commissioner shall maintain a record of the number of 
2.23 	plates issued under this section.