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HF4499 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Aviation special plates established.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

Create and regulate aviation-themed license plates in Minnesota. The bill would allow eligible vehicle owners to obtain aviation special plates (or a single motorcycle plate) and sets basic rules for how these plates are issued, designed, transferred, and exempt from one existing provision.

Main provisions

  • Issuance of aviation plates

    • Eligible applicants: registered owners of a passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle.
    • Fees and taxes: applicants must pay the special-plates fee specified in section 168.12, subdivision 5, along with all other required fees and the registration tax under section 168.013. They must also comply with the general rules governing vehicle registration and driver licensing.

  • Design

    • The commissioner must adopt a suitable plate design that includes the inscription “Aviation.”
    • Design development is done in consultation with interested associations.

  • Plates transfer

    • Special plates issued under this section may be transferred to another qualifying motor vehicle if the new vehicle meets the same eligibility criteria and is registered to the same person who originally received the plates.
    • A transfer fee of $5 applies.

  • Exemption

    • Plates issued under this section are not subject to section 168.1293, subdivision 2 (an existing requirement in current law).

Significance and potential impact

  • This bill adds a new aviation-themed plate option for Minnesota vehicle owners.
  • It creates a clear process for issuance, design, and transfer, including a small transfer fee.
  • It provides an exemption from at least one existing statutory requirement, potentially easing certain administrative constraints for these plates.

What changes compared to current law

  • Introduces a new specialty plate category (aviation plates) with a mandatory inscription and a transfer mechanism.
  • Establishes a specific transfer fee and a design process tied to aviation organizations.
  • Provides an exemption from a specific provision in section 168.1293 related to these plates.

Terminology and phrases from the bill (key phrases to recognize)

  • aviation special plates
  • commissioner
  • registered owner
  • passenger automobile
  • noncommercial one-ton pickup truck
  • motorcycle
  • recreational vehicle
  • plate design
  • inscription “Aviation”
  • transfer
  • transfer fee of 5
  • subsection 1
  • section 168.12 subdivision 5
  • section 168.013
  • section 168.1293 subdivision 2
  • Minnesota Statutes chapter 168

Potential considerations for residents

  • If you own one of the eligible vehicle types, you could obtain an aviation plate by paying the specified fees and taxes.
  • You would be able to transfer the plate to another eligible vehicle for a small fee, as long as the ownership remains with the original applicant.
  • The design would explicitly reflect an aviation theme, which could appeal to aviation enthusiasts.

Relevant Terms - aviation plates - aviation - Minnesota Statutes chapter 168 - Commissioner - registered owner - passenger automobile - noncommercial one-ton pickup truck - motorcycle - recreational vehicle - plate design - inscription “Aviation” - transfer fee - section 168.12 subdivision 5 - section 168.013 - section 168.1293 subdivision 2 - transfer - exemption

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 18, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toTransportation Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes 168.12, subd. 5 to specify the fee amount for aviation special plates; no change to 168.12 itself is proposed.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "168.12",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill requires payment of the registration tax as required under Minnesota Statutes section 168.013 for aviation plates; no change to 168.013.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "168.013",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill provides an exemption for special aviation plates from section 168.1293, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Exempts aviation special plates from 168.1293, subd. 2."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.1293",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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