SF2715

SF2715 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Lifetime retention and reassignment of license plates right provision

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to modify Minnesota's vehicle registration system to allow vehicle owners the right to retain and transfer their issued license plates throughout their lifetime. This change would enable individuals to keep the same license plate when acquiring a new vehicle, as long as registration remains valid.

Main Provisions

Lifetime Retention: Vehicle owners can retain their issued license plates for their lifetime, provided the vehicle registration is current and not subject to suspension or cancellation.
Transferability: Plates can be transferred to a new vehicle acquired by the owner. This must be requested within 60 days of acquiring the new vehicle.
Eligibility: Not all types of plates are eligible for lifetime retention, including temporary and dealer plates, among others.
Renewal Requirements: Owners must continue to pay annual registration fees to maintain the validity of the plates.
Replacement Option: If lifetime license plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, duplicates can be issued for a fee.
Legal Transfer Process: The commissioner will establish a process to ensure plates are appropriately reassigned to new vehicles, maintaining up-to-date registration information for law enforcement.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amendment to Current License Plate Issuance: Previously, most license plates were issued for seven years. Under the new bill, certain plates can last for the owner's lifetime, bypassing the seven-year reissuance rule.
Penalties for Unauthorized Actions: The bill introduces penalties for unauthorized transfer or retention of these lifetime plates, making it a misdemeanor offense.

Relevant Terms

Lifetime retention
License plate transfer
Vehicle registration
Temporary plates
Personalized plates
Plate impoundment
Registration renewal

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 19, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
March 19, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Transportation

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows for the retention and transfer of license plates for an individual's lifetime."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends rules regarding the issuance and retention periods of motor vehicle plates under section 168.12.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the period for issuance of plates for various vehicle types."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.12"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references eligibility for special plates for commercial use of one-ton pickup trucks under section 168.185.",
      "modified": [
        "Eligibility criteria refined for special plates issuance for commercial one-ton pickup trucks."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.185"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references lifetime plate issuance rules connected to veterans under section 169.79.",
      "modified": [
        "Connection between veteran status and lifetime plate issuance clarified."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169.79"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references license plate issuance period for dealer and other specified vehicles under section 168.053.",
      "modified": [
        "Defines a seven-year issuance period for dealer plates."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.053"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references license plate issuance period for dealer and other specified vehicles under section 168.27, subdivisions 16 and 17.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies a seven-year issuance period for various types of plates as applicable."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.27"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references license plates issued for the life of the veteran under section 168.123.",
      "modified": [
        "Connected life issuance for veteran plates clarified."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.123"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references license plates issued under section 168.1235.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies lifetime issuance for certain veteran-related plates."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.1235"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references license plates issued for veterans under section 168.1255.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies conditions for lifetime issuance of plates for veterans."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.1255"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references vehicle exempt status under section 168.012.",
      "modified": [
        "Outlines plate rules for tax-exempt vehicles."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.012"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references short-term vehicle rental taxation rules under section 297A.64.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies license plate issuance rules for short-term vehicle rentals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "297A.64"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references commercial fleet vehicle plate rules under section 168.127.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies commercial fleet vehicle plate assignment rules."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.127"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references limousine plate issuance rules under section 168.128.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies eligibility and issuance rules for limousine plates."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.128"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references temporary plate issuance under section 168.091.",
      "modified": [
        "Defines issuance and eligibility for temporary license plates."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.091"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references temporary plate issuance under section 168.092.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies conditions and rules for temporary plates issuance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.092"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references replacement plate issuance under section 168.29.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies process and fees for replacement plates."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.29"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references impoundment rules under section 169A.60.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies impoundment rules specific to lifetime license plates."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169A.60"
  }
]