2003 Minnesota Statutes

     168.125 Special license plates for former prisoners of 
  war. 

    Subdivision 1.    Issuance and design.  The registrar 
 shall issue special license plates bearing the inscription 
 "EX-POW" to any applicant who is both a former prisoner of war 
 and an owner or joint owner of a motor vehicle upon the 
 applicant's compliance with all the laws of this state relating 
 to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles and 
 drivers.  The special license plates shall be of a design and 
 size to be determined by the commissioner.  Plates bearing the 
 "EX-POW" inscription may be issued for only one motor vehicle 
 per applicant.  

    Subd. 1a.    Application.  Application for issuance of 
 these plates shall be made at the time of renewal or first 
 application for registration.  The application shall include a 
 certification by the commissioner of veterans affairs that the 
 applicant was a member of the military forces of the United 
 States who was captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy 
 of the United States during a period of armed conflict.  

    Subd. 1b.    No fee.  The registrar shall issue a set of 
 EX-POW plates to qualified applicants, free of charge for the 
 cost of the plates, and shall replace them without charge if 
 they become damaged.  In addition, no fee may be charged for a 
 subsequent year when tabs or stickers are issued for that motor 
 vehicle on which the special EX-POW plates are placed. 

    Subd. 1c.    Plates transfer.  Notwithstanding the 
 provisions of section 168.12, subdivision 1, the special license 
 plates issued under this section may be transferred to another 
 motor vehicle owned or jointly owned by the former prisoner of 
 war upon notification to the registrar of motor vehicles.  

    Subd. 1d.    Surviving spouse.  Upon the death of a 
 former prisoner of war, the registrar shall continue to issue 
 free of charge, upon renewal, the special license plates to a 
 vehicle owned by the surviving spouse of the former prisoner of 
 war.  Special license plates issued to a surviving spouse may be 
 transferred to another vehicle owned by the surviving spouse as 
 provided in subdivision 1c.  No fee may be charged for 
 replacement plates issued to a surviving spouse or for tabs or 
 stickers issued for the motor vehicle on which the special 
 "EX-POW" plates are placed.  A surviving spouse is not exempt 
 from the motor vehicle registration tax. 

    Subd. 1e.    Motor vehicle; special definition.  For 
 purposes of this section, "motor vehicle" means a passenger 
 automobile, van, pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational 
 vehicle. 

    Subd. 2.    Special plates; EX-POW and disability 
 insignia.  The registrar shall issue special license plates 
 bearing both the "EX-POW" and disability insignia to any 
 applicant who is entitled to the special license plates provided 
 under this section and who is also entitled to special license 
 plates for the physically disabled under section 168.021 upon 
 compliance with the provisions of both sections.  The special 
 license plates shall be of a design and size to be determined by 
 the commissioner.  

    Subd. 3.    Rules; commissioner of public safety.  The 
 commissioner of public safety may promulgate by rule, in 
 accordance with the provisions of chapter 14, the procedures for 
 issuance or transfer of the special license plates authorized 
 under this section.  

    Subd. 4.    Rules; commissioner of veterans affairs.  
 The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish the 
 procedure for obtaining the certification of former prisoner of 
 war status. 

    Subd. 5.    Savings provision.  Nothing in this section 
 shall alter the exemption for disabled war veterans provided for 
 in section 168.031. 

    HIST: 1982 c 424 s 130; 1982 c 593 s 1; 1988 c 636 s 5; 1989 c 
 140 s 11; 1989 c 301 s 2; 1990 c 497 s 6; 1993 c 214 s 3