Legion of Merit special license plates authorized.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Huot and 1 co-sponsor

Minnesota would authorize Legion of Merit special license plates to honor recipients and supporters, with fees supporting veterans programs.

Author added Huot

#motorvehicles #transportationandtransportationdepartment

HF 1783 — Legion of Merit Special License Plates Authorized

Overview

HF 1783 is a Minnesota House File introduced on March 3, 2025, to authorize the issuance of Legion of Merit special license plates. The bill’s author is listed as Huot (with an action adding Huot as author on March 6, 2025). The measure has a Senate companion, SF 353. The bill was introduced and referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy committee.

Purpose and Intent

Establishes a new specialty license plate category to honor recipients or supporters of the Legion of Merit, a U.S. military decoration.

Aligns with existing Minnesota practice of creating decorative/recognition plates that identify a specific service, cause, or group while remaining part of the standard vehicle registration system.

Key Provisions (Based on Available Information)

The text provided does not include detailed provisions. Typical elements in this policy area (and where HF 1783 would likely address them) may include:

Eligibility criteria for applicants (e.g., Legion of Merit recipients, immediate family, or supporters).
Plate design specifications featuring Legion of Merit imagery or insignia.
Fees and funding mechanisms (initial issuance fee, annual renewal fee, and potential allocations to veterans’ programs or related nonprofits).
Application process, renewal, and compliance with Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) rules.
Provisions related to production, distribution, and enforcement.
Any sunset or renewal terms, if applicable.

Note: The exact provisions, dollar amounts, timelines, and design details are not provided in the available materials.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Minnesota residents who qualify for or support Legion of Merit plates.

Legion of Merit recipients and their families.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), which administers specialty plates.

Veterans service organizations and related nonprofit entities that may benefit from plate-related funding allocations (if the bill designates a fund or program).

Legislative Timeline and Status

Introduced: March 3, 2025.

First reading and referral: Transportation Finance and Policy (March 3, 2025).

Action: March 6, 2025, author Huot added as author.

Companion bill: SF 353 (Senate).

Next Steps

To provide a more complete summary, the full text of HF 1783 is needed to identify specific eligibility, design, fee amounts, funding allocations, and administrative details.

If enacted, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the House, then onward to the Senate and final conference if needed, followed by gubernatorial signature or veto.