HF3316 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Various requirements governing traffic regulations related to motor vehicle equipment modified, motor vehicle registration sticker requirements modified, and technical and conforming changes made.
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
This bill aims to update and modify various requirements related to transportation, specifically focusing on traffic regulations, motor vehicle equipment, and registration requirements in Minnesota. The proposal intends to refine the current statutes to ensure clarity, address safety measures, and incorporate technical updates for the handling and registration of motor vehicles.
Main Provisions
Traffic Regulations and Equipment Enhancements:
- Introduces the use of speed safety and red light camera systems for better traffic control.
- Updates lighting requirements for vehicles, ensuring clarity in visibility and signaling, including headlamp aiming and taillamp displays.
- Specifies the need for auxiliary lights, reflectors, and light measurement standards for different vehicle types, including specialized agricultural equipment.
Motor Vehicle Registration and License Plates:
- Alters the issuance and visibility periods of license plates, emphasizing improved clarity and duration.
- Establishes new processes for self-service kiosks to facilitate easier vehicle registration renewals for motorcyclists and passenger vehicles.
- Addresses registration for vehicles used by veterans and disables associated fees for certain vehicles.
Conforming and Repealed Statutes:
- Removes outdated statutes related to vehicle lighting and registration, consolidating relevant regulations for consistency.
- Integrates new subdivisions for windshield wiper operations and visibility standards.
Special Provisions:
- Ensures that certain vehicles, like mini trucks and bicycles, adhere to updated equipment standards.
- Introduces exceptions regarding glazing materials for vehicles to accommodate specific needs.
- Provides for manual citation processes for certain low-speed traffic offenses.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Enhances local authority's ability to regulate traffic through the use of newly authorized camera systems to improve enforcement and safety.
- Modifies registration requirements with an emphasis on streamlining processes and extending validity, including the introduction of technology-driven solutions like self-service kiosks.
- Phases out specific historical traffic regulations and merges salient points into new consolidated formats.
- Updates and repeals various sections (e.g., certain headlamp and taillamp statutes) for redundancy and tech advancements.
Relevant Terms
motor vehicle registration, traffic regulations, auxiliary lights, license plates, speed safety camera, red light camera, windshield lighting standards, vehicle lighting, self-service kiosks, glazing material exceptions, vehicle visibility, special veteran vehicle registration, noise regulations, equipment standards.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Transportation Finance and Policy |
| May 11, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Transportation Finance and Policy |
| May 12, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows for biennial registration period for tax-exempt vehicles."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This bill modifies vehicle registration rules, including exemptions for certain types of vehicles under section 168.012.",
"modified": [
"Administrative fee payment timeline adjusted."
]
},
"citation": "168.012",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 1c, 13"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Process establishment for usage of self-service kiosks."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This legislation introduces self-service kiosks for registration renewals under section 168.0135.",
"modified": [
"Sets performance standards for vendor approval."
]
},
"citation": "168.0135",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Registration period extension provisions for leased vehicles up to 11 months."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Extends registration periods for leased vehicles under section 168.017.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "168.017",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Amendments concerning vehicle operation requirements without registration under section 168.09.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies conditions under which a vehicle can operate without plates."
]
},
"citation": "168.09",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Option for original Minnesota registration plates based on model year."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Changes to license plate and registration sticker issuance under section 168.12.",
"modified": [
"License plate issuance periods updated."
]
},
"citation": "168.12",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 1, 2f, 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Veteran special plates issuance under section 168.123.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies eligibility and application fees."
]
},
"citation": "168.123",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Provisions for Medal of Honor plates under section 168.124.",
"modified": [
"Ensures free issuance and replacement of plates."
]
},
"citation": "168.124",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Provisions for EX-POW plates under section 168.125.",
"modified": [
"Ensures free issuance and replacement of plates."
]
},
"citation": "168.125",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1b"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Fleet registration renewals under section 168.127.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies deletion of vehicles from fleet registration."
]
},
"citation": "168.127",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Transfer of ownership and expiration of registration under section 168.15.",
"modified": [
"Adjustments for the assignment and surrender of plates during ownership transfer."
]
},
"citation": "168.15",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows refund for unused portion of registration if vehicle is destroyed or sold to government."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Adjustments to registration tax refund procedures under section 168.16.",
"modified": [
"Time for filing refund claims specified as 3½ years from payment date."
]
},
"citation": "168.16",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifies requirements for registration card carriage."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Details registration of proratable vehicles under section 168.187.",
"modified": [
"Clarifications on registration for fleet vehicles."
]
},
"citation": "168.187",
"subdivision": "subdivision 12"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Dealers holding and issuing registration plates under section 168.27.",
"modified": [
"Dealer requirements for electronic system use and security."
]
},
"citation": "168.27",
"subdivision": "subdivision 28"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Provision for replacement plates in case of loss or damage under section 168.29.",
"modified": [
"Procedure for application and fees for replacement plates specified."
]
},
"citation": "168.29",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Registration installment payments under section 168.31.",
"modified": [
"Penalty provisions for late payment of installments updated."
]
},
"citation": "168.31",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Conditions under which towing is prohibited under section 168B.035.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies exceptions to towing prohibitions based on parking violations."
]
},
"citation": "168B.035",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds provisions for speed safety and red light camera systems."
],
"removed": [
"Previous restrictions on local ordinances regarding traffic control devices."
],
"summary": "Local traffic regulation authority amendments under section 169.04.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies and expands local government's authority over traffic regulations."
]
},
"citation": "169.04",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarification that certain agricultural implements are exempt from equipment provisions."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Modifications to unsafe vehicle equipment regulations under section 169.47.",
"modified": [
"Refinements to conditions under which vehicles may be operated with faulty equipment."
]
},
"citation": "169.47",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specific lighting and reflector requirements for agricultural vehicles."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Amendments regarding lighting on implements of husbandry under section 169.55.",
"modified": [
"Refinements to speed and reflector use conditions for various agricultural implements."
]
},
"citation": "169.55",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Changes to stop lamp and turn signal requirements under section 169.57.",
"modified": [
"Specifications for visibility and operation conditions of vehicle signal lamps."
]
},
"citation": "169.57",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 1, 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Retains historical lighting requirements for classic cars."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Regulations for single beam headlamps on older vehicles under section 169.62.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the aiming and intensity requirements for single beam headlamps."
]
},
"citation": "169.62",
"subdivision": ""
}
]