SF2946

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a special license plate in Minnesota dedicated to ice fishing. It provides a means to raise funds for environmental efforts by requiring contributions to support initiatives that reduce waste on ice.

Main Provisions

• Issuance of Special Plates: The bill mandates that the commissioner of motor vehicles must issue ice fishing-themed license plates. These plates can be issued for passenger automobiles, noncommercial one-ton pickup trucks, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles.
• Eligibility and Fees: To obtain these plates, the vehicle owner must be a registered owner, pay the standard fees for special plates, cover the vehicle registration tax, and make an annual contribution to the "Keep It Clean" account.
• Design: The plate design will be decided with input from Keep It Clean MN, ensuring a focus on promoting the environmental message.
• Plate Transfer: A $5 fee allows the transfer of these special plates to another qualified vehicle owned by the same individual.
• Exemption: These special plates are exempt from certain other statutory requirements typically applicable to specialty plates.

Significant Changes

• Creation of a Special Account: The bill establishes a "Keep It Clean" account for managing the contributions collected from applicants. Funds from this account will be used first for administration and then for initiatives that help reduce waste related to ice fishing activities.
• Funding Allocation: Money collected is appropriated directly to the commissioner of public safety for environmental efforts, specifically targeting waste reduction on ice through the operations of Keep It Clean MN.

Relevant Terms

special license plates, ice fishing, vehicle registration, Keep It Clean account, environmental initiatives, waste reduction, Minnesota Statutes chapter 168