SF 4718

03/10/26  REVISOR  KRB/EI  26-07868      as introduced
  SENATE
  STATE OF MINNESOTA
  NINETY-FOURTH SESSION  S.F. No. 4718
  (SENATE AUTHORS: JASINSKI and Nelson)
  DATE       D-PG  OFFICIAL STATUS
  03/23/2026      6910 Introduction and first reading
  Referred to Transportation
  04/20/2026      8524 Author added Nelson
1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to transportation; eliminating fees for certain replacement license plates
1.3and validation stickers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 168.29;
1.4168.33, subdivision 7.
1.5    BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168.29, is amended to read:
1.7168.29 REPLACEMENT PLATES.
1.8(a) In the event of the defacement, failure, loss, or destruction of any number license
1.9    plates or validation stickers, the commissioner, must issue a new set of plates or stickers
1.10   upon receiving and filing:
1.11(1) a sworn statement of the vehicle owner, setting forth the circumstances of the
1.12   defacement, failure, loss, destruction, or theft of the number plates or validation stickers,
1.13   together with;
1.14(2) any defaced available plates or stickers being replaced; and the
1.15(3) payment of a fee calculated to cover the cost of replacement, must issue a new set
1.16   of plates or stickers subject to paragraph (c).
1.17(b) A licensed motor vehicle dealer may only apply for replacement plates upon
1.18   application for a certificate of title in the name of a new owner or the dealer. The
1.19   commissioner must issue a new set of plates or validation stickers upon application for title
1.20   and registration after removal of plates pursuant to section 168A.11, subdivision 2.
1.21(c) Plates issued under this section are subject to section 168.12. The commissioner must
1.22   not impose a fee for replacement of a license plate or validation sticker that is defective or
Section 1.  1
 03/10/26  REVISOR  KRB/EI  26-07868  as introduced
2.1  fails to perform its function other than through normal wear and tear or damage sustained
2.2  after issuance.
2.3      (d) The commissioner must note on the commissioner's records the issue of new number
2.4  plates and must attempt to cancel and call in the original plates so as to insure against their
2.5  use on another motor vehicle.
2.6      (e) Duplicate registration certificates plainly marked as duplicates may be issued in like
2.7  cases upon the payment of a $1 fee. Fees collected under this section must be deposited in
2.8  the driver and vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705, subdivision 1.
2.9      EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.
2.10   Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168.33, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
2.11     Subd. 7. Filing fees; allocations. (a) In addition to all other statutory fees and taxes:
2.12     (1) an $8 filing fee is imposed on every vehicle registration renewal, excluding pro rate
2.13 transactions; and
2.14     (2) a $12 filing fee is imposed on every other type of vehicle transaction, including motor
2.15 carrier fuel licenses under sections 168D.05 and 168D.06, and pro rate transactions.
2.16     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a):
2.17     (1) a filing fee may not be charged for:
2.18     (i) a document returned for a refund;
2.19     (ii) issuance of a replacement license plate or validation sticker that is defective or fails
2.20 to perform its function other than through normal wear and tear or damage sustained after
2.21 issuance; or for
2.22     (iii) a correction of an error made by the Department of Public Safety, a dealer, or a
2.23 deputy registrar; and
2.24     (2) no filing fee or other fee may be charged for the permanent surrender of a title for a
2.25 vehicle.
2.26     (c) The filing fee must be shown as a separate item on all registration renewal notices
2.27 sent out by the commissioner.
2.28     (d) The statutory fees and taxes, the filing fees imposed under paragraph (a), and the
2.29 surcharge imposed under paragraph (f) may be paid by credit card or debit card. The deputy
2.30 registrar may collect a surcharge on the payment made under this paragraph not greater than
2.31 the cost of processing a credit card or debit card transaction, in accordance with emergency
 Sec. 2.  2
 03/10/26  REVISOR  KRB/EI  26-07868  as introduced
3.1  rules established by the commissioner of public safety. The surcharge authorized by this
3.2  paragraph must be used to pay the cost of processing credit and debit card transactions.
3.3      (e) The fees collected under paragraph (a) by the department must be allocated as follows:
3.4      (1) of the fees collected under paragraph (a), clause (1):
3.5      (i) $6.50 must be deposited in the driver and vehicle services operating account under
3.6  section 299A.705, subdivision 1; and
3.7      (ii) $1.50 must be deposited in the driver and vehicle services technology account under
3.8  section 299A.705, subdivision 3; and
3.9      (2) of the fees collected under paragraph (a), clause (2):
3.10     (i) $3.50 must be deposited in the general fund;
3.11     (ii) $7 must be deposited in the driver and vehicle services operating account under
3.12 section 299A.705, subdivision 1; and
3.13     (iii) $1.50 must be deposited in the driver and vehicle services technology account under
3.14 section 299A.705, subdivision 3.
3.15     (f) In addition to all other statutory fees and taxes, a deputy registrar must assess a $1
3.16 surcharge on every transaction for which filing fees are collected under this subdivision.
3.17 The surcharge authorized by this paragraph must be (1) deposited in the treasury of the
3.18 place for which the deputy registrar is appointed, or (2) if the deputy registrar is not a public
3.19 official, retained by the deputy registrar. For purposes of this paragraph, a deputy registrar
3.20 does not include the commissioner.
3.21     EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.
 Sec. 2.  3