SF4782

Purpose

This bill creates a new Minnesota grandparent license plate program. It requires the state to issue Minnesota grandparent special plates (or a single motorcycle plate) to eligible vehicle owners, and directs the resulting fees and minimum contributions to support food shelf programs.

Main Provisions

• Issuance

  • The commissioner must issue Minnesota grandparent special plates (or a single motorcycle plate) to an applicant who is a registered owner of certain vehicle types (passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle).
  • The applicant must pay the applicable plate fee (as set in the statutory fee schedule) and contribute a minimum amount to the food shelf support account at initial application and annually thereafter.
  • The applicant must comply with all current laws governing vehicle registration and driver licensing.

• Design

  • The plate design must include an image of baby footprints on one side and the words “Minnesota proud grandparents.”

• Transfers

  • Special plates may be transferred to another qualifying vehicle if the new vehicle is eligible and registered to the same person who originally issued the plates, upon payment of a transfer fee.

• Contributions and Funding

  • The contributions support the food shelf support account, which is established in the special revenue fund.
  • Money in the account is annually appropriated first to the commissioner of public safety to administer the account; the remainder goes to the commissioner of children, youth and families for food shelf programs (grants under section 142F.14).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new grandparent-themed license plate option and a dedicated funding pathway to support food shelf programs.
• Uses a Notwithstanding clause to override the prior limitation in section 168.1293 for issuing these plates.
• Establishes a new dedicated funding mechanism (food shelf support account) with annual appropriations to both the Department of Public Safety (administration) and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (grants for food shelf programs).

Relevant Terms - Minnesota grandparent special plates - baby footprints - Minnesota proud grandparents - food shelf support account - special revenue fund - food shelf programs - grants under section 142F.14 - commissioner of public safety - commissioner of children, youth and families - transfer fee - initial application fee and annual minimum contribution - Notwithstanding (section 168.1293) - eligible vehicle types (passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup, truck, motorcycle, recreational vehicle) - transfer of plates to another qualifying vehicle