HF4667

Purpose

• Create a Minnesota Food Banks special license plate program to raise funds for food banks and support the distribution of food and hygiene products to people in need.

Issuance and Eligibility

• The commissioner must issue Minnesota Food Banks plates (or a single motorcycle plate) to a registered owner of eligible vehicles: passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle.
• To get plates, an applicant must:
  • pay the special plate fee (as set in section 168.12 subdivision 5) plus any other required fees, and
  • pay the registration tax (as required under section 168.013), and
  • contribute at least $40 each year to the food bank assistance account, and
  • follow all registration and driver licensing laws and rules.

Plate Design

• The plate design must include the inscription “Support Food Banks.”
• The design is created by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of children, youth, and families.

Transferability

• Special plates can be transferred to another qualifying vehicle owned by the same person.
• A transfer fee of $5 applies.

Exemption

• Plates issued under this section are exempt from at least one set of existing plate-related provisions (specifically 168.1293 subdivision 2).

Funding and Use of Contributions

• Contributions from plate owners are deposited as follows:
  • 75% into the food bank assistance account (in the state’s special revenue fund).
  • 25% into the general fund.
• An amount necessary is appropriated from the food bank assistance account to cover the costs to administer this section.
• After that, the remaining money in the food bank assistance account is appropriated to the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to distribute to regional food banks and to Tribal governments as defined in the statute, following:
  • the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) formula, and
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines.
• The appropriation may be used for purchase, transport, and coordination of distributing food and personal hygiene products to people in need.

Administration and Implementation

• The bill adds a new license plate program under Minnesota law and directs how funds from the plates should be managed and distributed.
• It specifies vehicle eligibility, design collaboration, and the flow of funds to support food banks and TEFAP-related distribution.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Food Banks special license plates - Food bank assistance account - The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - USDA guidelines - "Support Food Banks" inscription - Eligible vehicles: passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup, motorcycle, recreational vehicle - Special plate fees (section 168.12 subdivision 5) - Registration tax (section 168.013) - Plate transfer fee ($5) - Exemption from 168.1293 subdivision 2 - Funding distribution: 75% to food bank assistance account, 25% to general fund - Administration funding for the section - Distribution to regional food banks and Tribal governments