SF4803

Purpose

• Establish a new aviation special license plate program in Minnesota. The program would allow owners of certain types of vehicles to obtain a plate that displays an aviation theme, specifically with the inscription "Aviation."

Main Provisions

• Issuance: The commissioner must issue aviation special plates, or a single motorcycle plate, to applicants who are the registered owner of a passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle (RV), upon payment of required fees and taxes and compliance with registration and licensing rules.
• Design: The plate design must include the inscription “Aviation” and be developed in consultation with interested associations.
• Plate Transfer: Special plates may be transferred to another motor vehicle if the new vehicle qualifies and is registered to the same person who originally issued the plates, with a transfer fee of $5.
• Exemption: Plates issued under this new section are not subject to a specific existing provision (section 168.1293 subdivision 2).

Design Details

• The design requirement centers on a clearly visible inscription reading “Aviation,” determined in collaboration with relevant associations.

Eligibility and Vehicle Types

• Eligible vehicles include:
  • Passenger automobiles
  • Noncommercial one-ton pickup trucks
  • Motorcycles
  • Recreational vehicles (RVs)

Issuance, Fees, and Taxes

• Fees: Applicants must pay the fee amount specified for special plates in the referenced existing statute, plus any other fees required under Minnesota law.
• Taxes: Applicants must pay the registration tax as required by existing statute.
• Administration: Issuance is handled by the state commissioner, and applicants must comply with all registration and licensing requirements.

Transferability and Fees

• Transfer: Plate transfer is allowed to another qualifying vehicle owned by the same individual.
• Transfer Fee: A $5 transfer fee applies to plate transfers.

Exemptions and Special Provisions

• The aviation plates are exempt from a specific current requirement under section 168.1293 subdivision 2.

Relationship to Existing Law

• Creates a new statutory section (168.1261) to govern aviation plates, including issuance, design, transfer, and exemptions, and references existing fee and tax authorities (e.g., sections 168.12 and 168.013).

Administration and Implementation

• The program requires design input from associations and will be implemented by the commissioner, following applicable rules for registration and licensing.

Relevant changes include adding a new special plate category (aviation plates), establishing eligibility for several vehicle types, defining plate design with the word “Aviation,” outlining transfer rules and a $5 transfer fee, and noting an exemption from a specific existing provision.

Relevant Terms - aviation plates - Minnesota Statutes chapter 168 - 168.1261 - 168.12 subdivision 1.5 - 168.013 - 168.1293 subdivision 2 - design inscription “Aviation” - commissioner - passenger automobile - noncommercial one-ton pickup truck - motorcycle - recreational vehicle (RV) - transfer of plates - transfer fee ($5) - special plates - registration tax - exemption