SF4387

Purpose

Create a dedicated funding mechanism to support winter sports by issuing new winter sports conservation license plates. The program aims to raise money through plate fees and ongoing contributions to a special account, to support conservation, trail maintenance, and related efforts.

Main Provisions

• Issuance eligibility: The commissioner must issue winter sports conservation special license plates (or a single motorcycle plate) to owners of certain vehicles (passenger automobiles, noncommercial one-ton vehicles, pickups, trucks, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles) who pay the required special plate fees, registration taxes, and other applicable chapter fees, and who make annual contributions to the winter sports conservation account.
• Plate design: The plates must include the phrase WINTER SPORTS CONSERVATION.
• Plate transfer: Plates can be transferred to another qualified vehicle owned by the same person, upon paying a $5 transfer fee.
• Exemption: Plates issued under this section are exempt from a specified provision (168.1293 subdivision 2).
• Contributions: On initial application and then at least annually, applicants must contribute to the winter sports conservation account. Contributions collected under this section are deposited into that account.

Funding and Use of Funds

• Where the money goes: Money in the winter sports conservation account is first used to cover the annual administrative costs of administering the account, with the remainder allocated to two programs:
  • 50% for grants-in-aid to develop, maintain, and groom snowmobile trails and to acquire easements.
  • 50% for Keep It Clean MN to reduce waste on ice, per section 97C.363.

Significance and Impact

• Creates a new, dedicated funding source for winter sports-related infrastructure and conservation activities.
• Establishes a special revenue fund pathway that directs resources to trail maintenance and environmental cleanliness efforts, supported by vehicle owners who opt to purchase the special plates and contribute annually.
• Changes to existing law: Introduces a new license plate program, a dedicated funding account, and specified allocations for snowmobile trails and Keep It Clean MN; allows transfer between vehicles owned by the same person; establishes annual contribution requirements and a design requirement for the plate.

Key Changes to Note

• Establishment of the winter sports conservation account within the special revenue fund.
• Mandatory annual contributions tied to plate ownership.
• Specific division of funds (50/50) between trail-related grants and ice-cleaning efforts.
• Plate design requirement and transfer provisions.

Relevant Terms - Winter sports conservation special license plates - Winter sports conservation account - Special plate fees - Registration tax - Snowmobile trails - Easements - Grants-in-aid - Keep It Clean MN - Keep It Clean MN section 97C.363 - Commissioner of Public Safety - Commissioner of Natural Resources - Special revenue fund - Plate transfer - Exemption (168.1293 subdivision 2)