SF2715

SF2715 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Lifetime retention and reassignment of license plates right provision

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to introduce a system that allows Minnesota vehicle owners the right to retain and reassign their license plates throughout their lifetime, with certain conditions and exceptions.

Main Provisions

Lifetime Plate Retention and Transfer: The bill allows vehicle owners to retain their issued license plates for the duration of their lifetime, provided their vehicle's registration remains valid. This applies to both standard and personalized plates.
Eligibility for Lifetime Plates: Lifetime plates can be issued upon purchasing a new vehicle, renewing vehicle registration, or acquiring new personalized plates. However, temporary, dealer, fleet, and rental vehicle plates are ineligible, among others.
Transfer Process: Owners must remove and retain their lifetime plates when selling or disposing of a vehicle and can transfer them to another vehicle they acquire, provided they notify the authorities within 60 days.
Fees and Conditions: There is a fee associated for retaining and transferring lifetime plates. If lifetime plates are lost, damaged, or destroyed, replacements can be obtained for a fee. Plates not renewed in time are subject to cancellation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends existing Minnesota statutes by introducing a legal framework for the retention and reassignment of license plates over the lifetime of the vehicle owner, a process which was previously not codified.
It changes the existing norm of a seven-year plate replacement cycle by exempting lifetime plates from this rule.
New processes and penalties are established for unauthorized transfer or retention of license plates, including potential misdemeanor charges for violations.

Relevant Terms

lifetime license plates, vehicle registration, personalized plates, plate transfer, noncommercial vehicle, registration renewal, impoundment, temporary plates, fleet vehicles, misdemeanor, Minnesota statutes, legislative amendments.

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": [
        "Establishes a lifetime retention model for license plates."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the requirements for issuance of vehicle license plates, including the design, visibility, and periods of issuance as outlined in section 168.12.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts the periods after which plates are replaced from annually to specific years."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.12",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This subsection mentions the eligibility of a one-ton pickup truck for special plates related to section 168.185.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies eligibility requirements for special plates under commercial use."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.185",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "",
      "modified": [
        "Incorporates existing rules on dealer and driveaway in-transit license plates."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.053",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "",
      "modified": [
        "Includes provisions for dealer and driveaway in-transit license plates within the modified issuance rules."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.27",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 16 and 17"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "",
      "modified": [
        "References rules concerning plates for certain exempt vehicles under section 168.012."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "168.012",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section is referenced regarding the impoundment process and loss of plates under certain conditions.",
      "modified": [
        "Details the conditions under which license plates may be impounded and reissued."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169A.60",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8 or 11"
  }
]