Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this Minnesota legislative bill is to establish a new category of special license plates known as "Donate Life" plates. These plates aim to support organ and tissue donation efforts within the state.

Main Provisions

• Issuance of Plates: The bill mandates the issuance of Donate Life special license plates to qualifying registered vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, owners must:

  1. Own a passenger automobile, noncommercial one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle.
  2. Pay a specified fee for special plates along with standard registration and licensing fees.
  3. Contribute a minimum of $25 annually to the organ and tissue donation account.
  4. Comply with existing vehicle registration and driver licensing rules.

• Design: The donated life plates will feature a design that includes a nationally recognized organ, eye, and tissue donation logo, along with the phrase "Donate Life."

• Transfer of Plates: Special plates can be transferred to another qualifying vehicle owned by the same individual for a transfer fee of $5.

• Exemption: These plates are exempt from certain fees outlined in another section of the statute.

• Contributions Account and Appropriation: Funds collected from the $25 annual contribution will be placed in the organ and tissue donation account, a special revenue fund. These funds are allocated to cover administrative costs first. Any remaining funds will support LifeSource, a nonprofit organization, in activities related to organ and tissue donation, including maintaining a donation registry, education, and outreach initiatives.

Relevant Terms

• Donate Life license plates
• Organ and tissue donation
• LifeSource
• Special revenue fund
• Organ, eye, and tissue donation logo