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Bill Summary · SF 4718

Summary of SF 4718 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Title

Fees elimination for certain replacement license plates and validation stickers

Purpose and Intent

This bill aims to eliminate the fees charged for replacing license plates or validation stickers in certain circumstances. It also updates related filing fee provisions to reflect these changes and to clarify fee applicability in specific scenarios. The effective date is the day after final enactment.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Replacement Plates and Validation Stickers (Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 168.29)

  • When plates or validation stickers are defaced, lost, damaged, destroyed, or stolen, the commissioner must issue a new set upon:
    • Filing a sworn statement by the vehicle owner detailing the circumstances, and
    • Returning any defaced plates/stickers, and
    • Paying a replacement cost-based fee (to be charged only to cover replacement costs, see (c) below).
  • When a licensed motor vehicle dealer applies for replacement plates (e.g., in connection with title transfer or ownership change), the commissioner issues a new set upon application for title and registration after removal of plates per § 168A.11, subd. 2.
  • Fees: The commissioner must not charge a fee for replacement plates or validation stickers that are defective or fail to function properly other than normal wear and tear or damage after issuance.
  • Record-keeping: The commissioner must note the issuance of new number plates on records and attempt to cancel the original plates to prevent their use on another vehicle.
  • Duplicates: Duplicate registration certificates may be issued for a $1 fee in like cases.
  • Revenue: Fees collected under this section go to the Driver and Vehicle Services operating account.
  • Effective date: The section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Section 2 – Filing Fees and Allocations (Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 168.33, subd. 7)

  • New/adjusted filing fees:
    • $8 filing fee on every vehicle registration renewal (excluding pro rata transactions).
    • $12 filing fee on every other type of vehicle transaction, including motor carrier fuel licenses and pro rata transactions.
  • Fee exemptions:
    • No filing fee for: (i) documents returned for a refund; (ii) issuance of a replacement license plate or validation sticker that is defective or fails to function properly (other than normal wear and tear or post-issuance damage); or (iii) correction of an error by the Department of Public Safety, a dealer, or a deputy registrar.
    • No filing fee or other fee for the permanent surrender of a title for a vehicle.
  • Transparency: The filing fee must appear as a separate line item on all registration renewal notices.
  • Payment methods: Fees may be paid by credit or debit card, with a potential surcharge to cover processing costs; the surcharge cannot exceed the actual cost of processing.
  • Fee allocations:
    • For renewal fees (clause 1):
    • $6.50 to the Driver and Vehicle Services operating account.
    • $1.50 to the Driver and Vehicle Services technology account.
    • For other vehicle transactions (clause 2):
    • $3.50 to the General Fund.
    • $7 to the Driver and Vehicle Services operating account.
    • $1.50 to the Driver and Vehicle Services technology account.
  • Deputy registrar surcharge: A $1 surcharge on every transaction subject to the filing fee, with the surcharge deposited to the appropriate treasury or retained by the deputy registrar if not a public official.
  • Effective date: The section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Affected Parties and Practical Impact

  • Vehicle owners and lessees: Potentially lower costs when replacing plates or validation stickers that are defective or nonfunctional (no replacement fee under defective/failed functionality scenarios).
  • Vehicle dealers: Procedures and timing for plate replacement related to title transfer; cost impacts align with the revised fee structure.
  • Deputy registrars and DPS: Operational changes in fee collection, accounting, and remittance to state accounts; possible administrative adjustments to reflect new exemptions.
  • State government (various accounts): Reallocation of funds between operating and technology accounts, General Fund (for some transaction types), and the Driver and Vehicle Services accounts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative status: Introduced and referred to Transportation (SF No. 4718). Authored by Jasinski with a later amendment adding Nelson as co-sponsor.
  • Effective date: The day after final enactment for both sections.
  • Next steps: If enacted, agencies would implement the fee eliminations and adjust registration notices, accounting allocations, and operational procedures accordingly.

Notable Details

  • The bill explicitly eliminates replacement fees for defective or non-functioning plates/stickers post-issuance (except wear and tear or post-issuance damage), aligning with customer protection and administration efficiency.
  • It retains a nominal $1 duplicate registration certificate fee and clarifies the allocation of various new/refined filing fees across state accounts.
  • Aims to maintain transparency by listing the renewal filing fee separately on notices and permits credit/debit card payments with processing surcharges limited to actual costs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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