SF4482

Purpose

• Establish survivor support special license plates to raise funds for crime victims by requiring a mandatory contribution to the crime victims account, and to codify the program in Minnesota law.

Main Provisions

• Issuance of plates

  • The commissioner must issue survivor support special license plates (or a single motorcycle plate) to an applicant who owns a passenger automobile, recreational vehicle, one-ton pickup, one-ton truck, or motorcycle.
  • The applicant must pay:
  • the standard fee for special plates (as defined in Minnesota Statutes),
  • the required registration tax,
  • other applicable fees under Minnesota law,
  • a contribution of $30 upon initial application and a minimum of $30 annually to the crime victims account (611A.612).
  • The applicant must also comply with all registration and licensing requirements.

• Design

  • The commissioner must adopt a suitable plate design in consultation with the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Violence Free Minnesota, and other groups identified by the commissioner.

• No refund

  • Contributions collected under this section are nonrefundable.

• Plate transfers

  • Plates issued under this section may be transferred to another eligible vehicle if:
  • the subsequent vehicle qualifies to bear the plates, and
  • the vehicle is registered to the same individual who originally received the plates.
  • A transfer fee of $5 applies.

• Credits to crime victims account

  • The contributions described above must be deposited into the crime victims account (611A.612).
  • An amount sufficient to cover the department’s administrative costs for the account is appropriated from that account.

• Recordkeeping

  • The commissioner must maintain a record of the number of plates issued under this section.

• Exemption

  • Plates issued under this section are not subject to a specific unrelated provision (168.1293, subdivision 2).

Financial and Administrative Details

• Funding flow: contributions go to the crime victims account to support victims services, with a portion used to cover administration costs.
• Fee structure: includes standard special-plate fees, registration tax, and a recurring contribution to the crime victims account.

Compliance and Scope

• Applies to owners of specified vehicle types (cars, RVs, certain heavy pickups/trucks, motorcycles) who choose the survivor support plate.
• Requires ongoing compliance with registration rules and payment of required fees.
• Designed with input from sexual assault and victim-support organizations to guide design and messaging.

Significance / Impact

• Creates a dedicated funding stream for crime victims programs via a specialized license plate.
• Promotes survivor-focused messaging through plate design and branding in collaboration with advocacy groups.

Relevant Terms - survivor support plates - special license plates - crime victims account (611A.612) - Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault - Violence Free Minnesota - Minnesota Statutes chapter 168 - vehicle registration - plate transfer - transfer fee - nonrefundable contributions - plate design process - registration tax - administrative costs