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SF3764 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Distinguished Flying Cross special license plates authorization provision

Related bill: HF3836

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To create a Distinguished Flying Cross special license plate program in Minnesota. The goal is to recognize recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross by allowing them to display a special plate on eligible vehicles, with specific design, issuance rules, and transfer options.

Eligibility and issuance

  • The commissioner must issue Distinguished Flying Cross special license plates (or a single motorcycle plate) to someone who:
    • is a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross,
    • is a registered owner of a passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle,
    • pays the standard vehicle registration tax, and
    • complies with existing registration and licensing laws and rules.
  • An eligible recipient may apply only when renewing registration or when applying for registration for the first time.
  • Only one set of plates (or one motorcycle plate) can be issued per qualified applicant.

Design and emblem

  • The plates must feature an emblem designed in consultation with the commissioner of veterans affairs.
  • The emblem must include the Distinguished Flying Cross medal and the phrase DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.

Fees, replacements, and exemptions

  • Plates are issued at no charge to qualified recipients, and replacements are provided at no charge if the plates become damaged.
  • There is no fee for a subsequent year when the vehicle carrying the plates is registered under the applicable vehicle registration law.
  • The special plates are exempt from a cited fee-related provision (168.1293 subdivision 2).

Transferability

  • The Distinguished Flying Cross plates may be transferred to a different qualified vehicle owned by the same individual, provided the new vehicle is eligible and registered to the same person, and the transfer does not require a fee.

Relationship to existing law

  • This bill adds a new special license plate category under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168, outlining eligibility, issuance, design, and transfer rules, and it specifies exemptions from certain fees.

Significant changes to existing law

  • Introduces a new, fee-free, Distinguished Flying Cross special license plate program for eligible recipients.
  • Establishes design requirements and official collaboration with the veterans affairs office.
  • Allows plate transfer between eligible vehicles owned by the same recipient.
  • Creates an exemption from a specific existing provision related to fees for these plates.

Practical impact

  • Eligible Distinguished Flying Cross recipients can display their recognition on eligible vehicles at no cost, with a standardized design and a process that includes renewal or initial registration for eligibility.
  • The program adds a means to honor military service members while integrating with existing vehicle registration processes.

Relevant terms

  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • special license plates
  • Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168
  • 168.013 (registration tax)
  • 168.017
  • 168.12
  • 168.1293 subdivision 2
  • emblem
  • DFC medal
  • DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
  • recipient
  • vehicle types (passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, recreational vehicle)
  • commissioner
  • veterans affairs
  • transfer
  • renewal
  • first application for registration

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 23, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
February 23, 2026SenateActionReferred toTransportation

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes section 168.013 to require payment of the motor vehicle registration tax as a condition for issuing or renewing Distinguished Flying Cross license plates.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "168.013",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes section 168.017 in relation to vehicle registration; the vehicle bearing the Distinguished Flying Cross plates must be registered under 168.017.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "168.017",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references section 168.12, subdivision 1, and includes a transfer provision for the Distinguished Flying Cross plates that overrides the normal rule under the not-withstanding clause; the plates may be transferred to another motor vehicle without a fee under specified conditions.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "168.12",
    "subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill states that the Distinguished Flying Cross special license plates are not subject to section 168.1293, subdivision 2, effectively providing an exemption for these plates from that provision.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "168.1293",
    "subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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