SF4215 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Various motorboat, fishing licenses, off-road vehicle, and water use provisions
Related bill: HF4261
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill makes changes to natural resources laws in Minnesota. It tightens penalties for fraudulent registration actions, adds requirements and fees for offroad vehicle trail passes, and makes related amendments across several statutes. It also moves toward codifying new provisions and repealing an existing section.
Main Provisions
Unlawful acts related to registration (Sections 84.7885 and 84.7985)
- It is unlawful to issue, obtain, or use a dealer 21-day temporary registration without intent to complete a sale.
- It is unlawful to obtain or assist in obtaining a registration through misrepresentation, fraud, or by providing incorrect, misleading, incomplete, or untrue information.
- It is unlawful to display or possess fictitious or fraudulent registrations or decals.
- Penalties:
- A person who violates these provisions faces a misdemeanor.
- A dealer who violates these provisions faces a gross misdemeanor.
- Consequence note: any dealer temporary registration or registration sticker involved in a violation is void.
Offroad vehicle state trail pass (Section 84.8035)
- A pass is required to operate an offroad vehicle on state or grant-in-aid offroad vehicle trails or use areas, with the pass being viewable by a peace officer, conservation officer, or designated employee.
- The pass is issued upon application and payment of the fee.
- Funds collected (excluding certain licensing-organization costs) go to the offroad vehicle account in the natural resources fund and are used for grants to counties/municipalities to construct and maintain trails and use areas.
- Exemptions:
- Pass is not required for offroad vehicles owned/used by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision of those entities that are exempt from registration.
- Pass not required for certain limited-use scenarios (e.g., operating on the portion of a trail owned by the operator or immediate family; vehicles registered under a different section 84.798).
- Fees and validity:
- Resident pass: $20, valid for 30 consecutive days after issuance.
- Nonresident annual pass: $20, valid January 1 to December 31.
- Nonresident 3-year pass: $30.
- The resident/nonresident designations and durations are specified to ensure ongoing access while funding trail improvements.
Broader statutory changes and codifications
- The bill proposes coding new law in several Minnesota Statutes chapters (84, 85, 86B, 84D, etc.) and adds subdivisions to certain sections.
- It also repeals a specific existing statute (97C.836.1.16).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Strengthened enforcement against fraudulent registrations, including dealer and individual roles.
- Introduction of a formal offroad vehicle trail pass system with mandatory display, fee collection, and dedicated funding for trails.
- Reallocation of revenue to a designated offroad vehicle account to support trail construction and maintenance.
- Expansion of penalties for false statements and alterations related to registrations and licenses.
- Alignment and addition of new regulatory language across multiple chapters to implement these changes and codify new provisions.
Practical Impact
- For dealers and individuals: higher risk of misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor penalties for registration fraud; registrations and decals tied more closely to sale and genuine use.
- For offroad enthusiasts: new requirement to purchase and display an offroad vehicle state trail pass when using certain trails and use areas; funds collected support trail infrastructure and improvements.
- For agencies: clearer enforcement provisions, specified enforcement officers, and streamlined funding pathways for trail-related projects.
- For the public: clearer rules around registrations, potential annual costs for trail access, and improved oversight of registration-related activities.
Status note: The measure was introduced and referred to the Environment, Climate, and Legacy committee for consideration.
Relevant Terms
unlawful acts related to registration; dealer temporary 21-day registration permit; misrepresentation; fraud; registration; registration sticker; fictitious registration; decal; offroad vehicle state trail pass; peace officer; conservation officer; employee designated under section 84.0835; state treasury; offroad vehicle account; grants-in-aid; resident pass; nonresident pass; annual pass; three-year pass; 30-day validity; fees; exemptions.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 09, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 09, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Environment, Climate, and Legacy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines unlawful acts related to dealer or personal registrations (e.g., misrepresentation, fraud, or providing incorrect information).",
"Sets penalties associated with violations under Subdivision 1 (e.g., voiding dealer temp registrations)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Unlawful acts related to registration under Minnesota Statutes section 84.7885, Subd. 1, as amended by the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "84.7885",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Penalties for violations of 84.7885 Subd. 1.",
"modified": [
"Specifies penalties: a) voiding of the dealer 21-day registration sticker that is the subject of the violation; b) misdemeanor for the violator; c) gross misdemeanor for the dealer violator."
]
},
"citation": "84.7885",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Parallels 84.7885 Subd. 1 for registration-related misrepresentations and fraudulent actions under section 84.7985."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Unlawful acts related to registration under Minnesota Statutes section 84.7985, Subd. 1, as amended by the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "84.7985",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Penalties for violations of 84.7985 Subd. 1.",
"modified": [
"Specifies penalties (e.g., misdemeanor for the violator; gross misdemeanor for the dealer violator) similar to 84.7885 Subd. 2."
]
},
"citation": "84.7985",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Maintains requirement that offroad vehicle passes must be displayed and viewable by law enforcement; establishes fee collection and deposit provisions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Pass required and fee provisions for offroad vehicle state trail passes, as amended in the bill.",
"modified": [
"Updates fee provisions, deposit to state treasury, and use of fees for grants to counties/municipalities for trails and use areas."
]
},
"citation": "84.8035",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a subdivision to 84.82 (specific subdivision number not specified in the text provided)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to a subdivision being added to Minnesota Statutes chapter 84.82 as part of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "84.82",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Creates or expands provisions related to offroad vehicle or related trail/pass regulations (subdivision not numbered in text)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "New subdivision added to Minnesota Statutes 84.8205 as part of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "84.8205",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Creates new regulatory provisions under chapter 84D (subdivision not numbered in text)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addition of a subdivision to Minnesota Statutes chapter 84D, as referenced in the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "84D.01",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Introduces or clarifies new regulatory provisions under 84D.05 (subdivision 1)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds subdivision 1 to Minnesota Statutes section 84D.05 as part of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "84D.05",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Creates or alters provisions under 85.053 related to the bill’s scope (subdivision unspecified in text)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds subdivision to Minnesota Statutes section 85.053 as part of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "85.053",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 86B.30 Subd. 4 as part of the bill.",
"modified": [
"Expands or clarifies penalties, reporting, or program provisions within 86B.30 Subd. 4."
]
},
"citation": "86B.30",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 86B.303 Subd. 2 as part of the bill.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts provisions related to invasive species enforcement, reporting, or penalties under 86B.303 Subd. 2."
]
},
"citation": "86B.303",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 86B.306 Subd. 1 as part of the bill.",
"modified": [
"Updates regulatory or penalty provisions within 86B.306 Subd. 1."
]
},
"citation": "86B.306",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a new subdivision to 97A.311."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 97A.311 to add a subdivision, as referenced in the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "97A.311",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 1 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Creates or expands provisions within 97A.411 (subdivision unspecified in text)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds a subdivision to 97A.411 as referenced in the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "97A.411",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Expands 97A.485 with an additional subdivision (subdivision 6) related to penalties or eligibility."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds subdivision 6 to 97A.485 as part of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "97A.485",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Involves amendments or additions to provisions under 97C.417 (subdivision not specified)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to 97C.417 in the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "97C.417",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 97C.835 Subd. 2 as part of the bill.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts provisions under 97C.835 Subd. 2 related to penalties or registrations."
]
},
"citation": "97C.835",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds or amends 103G.291 Subd. 3 as part of the bill.",
"modified": [
"Updates provisions related to game and fish licensing/reporting or related penalties under 103G.291 Subd. 3."
]
},
"citation": "103G.291",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97C.836.1.16 as referenced in the bill.",
"modified": [
"Repeals existing statute 97C.836.1.16."
]
},
"citation": "97C.836.1.16",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee