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SF 5273

Minnesota SenateIn Senate Committee

Summary

SF 5273, “Electronic motor vehicle documents governing requirements provisions modifications”, was introduced in the Senate on May 11, 2026 by Sen. Matt Klein (D). It was referred to Transportation, and last saw action on May 11, 2026: Referred to Transportation.


Record

Text

SF 5273 has no co-sponsors and has not gone to a roll call.

sf5273/introduced.txt
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION S.F. No. 5273
(SENATE AUTHORS: KLEIN)
DATE D-PG OFFICIAL STATUS
05/11/2026 10377 Introduction and first reading
Referred to Transportation
A bill for an act
relating to transportation; modifying requirements governing electronic motor
vehicle documents; requiring certain electronic titling and lien release; providing
for certain electronic transmission and signatures related to motor vehicles;
modifying rulemaking authority; making technical changes; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2024, sections 168.33, subdivision 8a; 168A.06; 168A.09, subdivision 1,
by adding a subdivision; 168A.14, as amended; 168A.18; 168A.20; 168A.24;
168A.29, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 168A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168.33, subdivision 8a, is amended to read:
Subd. 8a. Electronic transmission. (a) If Subject to section 168A.50, subdivision 2,
paragraph (d), the commissioner accepts may accept, and beginning October 1, 2027, must
accept, electronic transmission of a motor vehicle transfer and registration or other document
required under this chapter by (1) a new or used motor vehicle dealer, and (2) a user
authorized by the commissioner.
(b) A deputy registrar who is equipped with electronic transmission technology and
trained in its use must receive the filing fee provided for in subdivision 7 and review the
transfer of each new or used motor vehicle to determine its genuineness and regularity
before issuance of a certificate of title, and must receive and retain the filing fee under
subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (2).
(b) (c) The commissioner must establish reasonable performance, security, technical,
and financial standards to approve companies that provide computer software and services
to motor vehicle dealers and other authorized users to electronically transmit vehicle title
transfer and registration information and documents. An approved company must be offered
Section 1. 1
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
access to department facilities, staff, and technology on a fair and reasonable basis. An
approved company must not have an ownership interest with a deputy registrar or a driver's
license agent. An approved company is not eligible to be appointed by the commissioner
as a deputy registrar or a driver's license agent.
(d) A person who transmits a physical document in electronic form must retain the
physical document in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. Information or a document
that is not produced in physical form is not required to be converted to physical form and
must be retained for a period of time as determined by the commissioner. Subject to section
168A.50, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), a person who transmits a document electronically
as provided under this subdivision is not required to provide the document in physical form
to the commissioner or a deputy registrar as a routine course of business.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.06, is amended to read:
168A.06 DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATE.
(a) The commissioner must deliver a certificate of title must be delivered:
(1) before October 1, 2027, to the owner named in it. Secured parties, if any, must be
mailed notification of their security interest filed. the certificate; or
(2) on or after October 1, 2027, by electronic transmission to the first secured party
named in the certificate, or by mail to the named owner if there is no secured party.
(b) The commissioner must notify any other secured parties of a secured party's security
interest and of an electronic transmission under this section.
(c) For a certificate of title electronically transmitted to a secured party, the commissioner
must notify the owner that a security interest has been filed and that the certificate of title
has been delivered to a secured party and must issue a confirmation of ownership document
to the owner. A confirmation of ownership document is not a certificate of title and may
not be used to transfer ownership of the vehicle.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Application, issuance, form, bond, and notice. (a) In the event a
certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated, destroyed, or becomes illegible, the owner or
legal representative of the owner named in the certificate may submit an application to the
department commissioner or a deputy registrar for a duplicate in a format prescribed by the
department commissioner. Subject to subdivision 5, the department commissioner or a
deputy registrar must issue a duplicate certificate of title and provide notifications in
Sec. 3. 2
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
conformance with section 168A.06 if satisfied that the applicant is entitled to the duplicate
certificate of title. The duplicate certificate of title must be plainly marked as a duplicate
and mailed or delivered to the owner. The department commissioner or a deputy registrar
must indicate in the driver and vehicle information system records that a duplicate certificate
of title has been issued. As a condition to issuing a duplicate certificate of title, the department
commissioner may require a bond from the applicant in the manner and format prescribed
in section 168A.07, subdivision 1, clause (2).
(b) The duplicate certificate of title must be plainly marked as a duplicate and contain
the legend: "This duplicate certificate of title may be subject to the rights of a person under
the original certificate."
(b) (c) The commissioner must allow duplicate certificate of title issuance by a deputy
registrar, subject to procedures established by the commissioner.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
Subd. 5. Issuance with security interest. For an original certificate of title issued on
or after October 1, 2027, the commissioner or a deputy registrar must not issue a duplicate
certificate of title when a security interest is present unless the applicant presents satisfactory
evidence that the security interest has been satisfied or the applicant is the security interest
holder.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.14, as amended by Laws 2025, chapter 20,
section 164, is amended to read:
168A.14 NEW CERTIFICATES ISSUED, OLD CERTIFICATES SURRENDERED.
Subdivision 1. New certificate after assignment. The department, Upon receipt of a
properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the
required fees and taxes, and any other documents required by law, shall the commissioner
must issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and list any
secured party named on it the certificate and deliver it to the owner. The secured party or
parties must be issued a notification that the security interest has been filed must perform
issuances and notifications as provided in section 168A.06.
Subd. 1a. New certificate after security interest filed. The department, Upon receipt
of an affidavit as provided in section 524.3-1201, paragraph (a), an application for a new
certificate of title, and any required fee, shall the commissioner must issue a new certificate
Sec. 5. 3
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
of title in the name of the successor as owner, listing and list any secured party on it the
certificate and must perform issuances and notifications as provided in section 168A.06.
The department shall deliver the certificate to the successor and shall issue any secured
party a notification that the security interest has been filed.
Subd. 2. New certificate after nonvoluntary transfer. The department, Upon receipt
of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer,
with proof of the transfer, the required fees and taxes, and any other documents required
by law, shall the commissioner must issue a new certificate of title in the name of the
transferee as owner and must perform issuances and notifications as provided in section
168A.06.
Subd. 3. Surrendered certificate. The department shall commissioner must file and
retain for seven years every surrendered certificate of title, the file to be maintained so as
to permit the tracing of title of the vehicle.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.18, is amended to read:
168A.18 DUTIES OF PARTIES RELATING TO SECURITY INTEREST.
(a) The requirements under this section apply if an owner creates a security interest in
a vehicle:.
(a) (b) The owner shall must immediately execute the application in the space provided
therefor on the certificate of title, or in a format the department commissioner prescribes,
to name the secured party on the certificate, showing the name and address of the secured
party, and cause the certificate, application, and the required fees and taxes to be delivered
to the secured party.
(b) (c) The secured party shall must immediately cause the certificate, application, and
the required fees and taxes to be mailed or delivered to the department commissioner.
(c) (d) A second or subordinate secured party does not affect the rights of the first secured
party under a security agreement.
(d) (e) Upon receipt of the certificate of title, application, and the required fees and taxes,
the department shall commissioner must issue a new certificate containing the name and
address of the new secured party, and mail or deliver the certificate to the owner. The secured
party or parties shall be notified that the security interest has been recorded must perform
issuances and notifications as provided in section 168A.06.
Sec. 6. 4
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.20, is amended to read:
168A.20 SATISFACTION OF SECURITY INTEREST.
Subdivision 1. Certificate with latest secured party; release. (a) Upon the satisfaction
of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the
secured party, including a certificate of title electronically transmitted to or held by a secured
party, the secured party shall must within 15 days, or seven days if satisfied by a dealer
licensed under section 168.27, subdivision 2, 3, or 4, execute a release of security interest
in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the department prescribes, and mail
or deliver the certificate and release manner prescribed by the commissioner and must:
(1) before October 1, 2027, deliver the certificate and release to the next secured party
named therein on the certificate of title, or if none, to the owner or any person who delivers
to the secured party an authorization from the owner to receive the certificate; or
(2) comply with requirements in subdivision 6.
(b) Following a release of security interest under paragraph (a), clause (1), the owner,
other than a dealer holding the vehicle for resale, shall must promptly cause the certificate
and release, together with the required fees and taxes, to be mailed or delivered to the
department commissioner, which shall and the commissioner must release the secured party's
rights on the certificate or issue a new certificate.
Subd. 2. Certificate with prior secured party; release. (a) Upon the satisfaction of a
security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of a prior
secured party, the secured party whose security interest is satisfied shall must within 15
days, or seven days if satisfied by a dealer licensed under section 168.27, subdivision 2, 3,
or 4, execute a release of security interest in the format the department prescribes manner
prescribed by the commissioner and deliver the release must:
(1) before October 1, 2027, deliver the release to the owner or any person who delivers
to the secured party an authorization from the owner to receive it the release; or
(2) comply with requirements in subdivision 6.
(b) Following a release of security interest under paragraph (a), clause (1), the secured
party in possession of the certificate of title shall must either: (1) deliver the certificate to
the owner, or the person authorized by the owner, for delivery to the department,
commissioner; or (2) upon receipt of the release, mail or deliver it the release with the
certificate to the department, which shall commissioner. The commissioner must release
the subordinate secured party's rights on the certificate or issue a new certificate.
Sec. 7. 5
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
Subd. 3. Certificate with owner. (a) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a
vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the owner, the secured party
shall must within 15 days, or seven days if satisfied by a dealer licensed under section
168.27, subdivision 2, 3, or 4, execute a release of security interest in the format manner
prescribed by the department commissioner and mail or deliver the notification with release
must:
(1) before October 1, 2027, deliver the notification with release to the owner or any
person who delivers to the secured party an authorization from the owner to receive the
release; or
(2) comply with requirements in subdivision 6.
(b) The secured party may notify the registrar commissioner of the satisfaction of lien
in a manner prescribed by the department commissioner.
Subd. 4. Satisfaction of lien for child support; release. If the secured party is a public
authority or a child support or maintenance obligee with a lien under section 168A.05,
subdivision 8, upon either (1) the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which
the certificate of title is in the possession of the owner, or (2) the execution by the owner
of a written payment agreement determined to be acceptable by the court, a child support
magistrate, the public authority, or the obligee, within 15 days, or seven days if satisfied by
a dealer licensed under section 168.27, subdivision 2, 3, or 4, the secured party shall must
execute a release of security interest in the format manner prescribed by the department
commissioner and mail or deliver the notification with release must:
(1) before October 1, 2027, deliver the notification with release to the owner or any
person who delivers to the secured party an authorization from the owner to receive the
release; or
(2) comply with requirements in subdivision 6.
Subd. 5. Satisfaction of automobile lien seven years old; release. A security interest
perfected under this chapter may be canceled seven years from the perfection date for a
passenger automobile, as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 24, upon the request of
the owner of the passenger automobile, if the owner has paid the lien in full and is unable
to locate the lienholder to obtain a lien release. At a minimum, the owner must send a letter
to the lienholder by certified mail, return receipt requested, requesting a lien release. If the
owner is unable to obtain a lien release by sending a letter by certified mail, then the owner
must present to the department commissioner or its an agent the returned letter as evidence
of the attempted contact. This subdivision applies only to: (1) vehicle owners who are
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04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
individuals; or (2) dealers licensed under section 168.27, subdivision 2 or 3, who are
purchasing a vehicle from an individual owner for resale.
Subd. 6. Electronic lien release. (a) On or after October 1, 2027, the satisfaction of a
security interest in a vehicle must be electronically transmitted by the secured party to the
commissioner and must include the name and address of the person satisfying the security
interest.
(b) When security interests and satisfactions are transmitted electronically, the
commissioner may defer issuance of a certificate of title until all security interests have
been satisfied. Upon satisfaction of all security interests, the commissioner must mail a
clear certificate of title to the owner of the vehicle. In a subsequent transfer of ownership
of the motor vehicle, it is presumed that the motor vehicle title is subject to a security interest
until the title to be issued pursuant to this subdivision is received by the person satisfying
the security interest.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.24, is amended to read:
168A.24 DUTIES AND POWERS OF DEPARTMENT.
Subdivision 1. Forms. The department shall commissioner must prescribe and provide
suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, notices of security interests, and all other
notices and forms necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 168A.01 to 168A.31 this
chapter and shall must determine the format in which of the forms will appear.
Subd. 2. Powers; rules. The department commissioner may:
(1) make necessary investigations to procure information required to carry out the
provisions of sections 168A.01 to 168A.31 this chapter;
(2) assign a new identifying number to a vehicle if it the vehicle has none, or its the
vehicle's identifying number is destroyed or obliterated;
(3) adopt and enforce such rules as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of
sections 168A.01 to 168A.31 this chapter, including but not limited to rules that establish
and administer an electronic lien notification and release system that allows alternative
methods of proof of satisfaction of a security interest;
(4) adopt and enforce such rules as the department commissioner may deem necessary
or appropriate to require the payment of fees imposed by section 168.54, as a condition for
deferring application for a certificate of title by a dealer or secured party in cases provided
for in section 168A.11 or 168A.12, subdivision 2; and
Sec. 8. 7
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
(5) adopt a rule which that may require the owner or secured party, as the case may be,
to deposit the certificate of title with the department commissioner during the period when
the vehicle for which such the certificate was issued is registered pursuant to section 168.31,
subdivision 4, or is subject to the lien imposed by section 168.31, subdivision 6.
Subd. 3. Electronic database. (a) Beginning October 1, 2027, the commissioner must
maintain electronic records in the driver and vehicle information system on motor vehicles
and manufactured homes, notices and satisfactions of security interests, and title transactions.
(b) At a minimum, for the records under paragraph (a), a motor vehicle or manufactured
home must be identifiable through the name of vehicle owner, title number, and vehicle
identification number or manufacturer's motor number, and a title transaction must be
identifiable through the vehicle identification number.
Subd. 4. Electronic documents. (a) Subject to section 168A.50, subdivision 2, paragraph
(d), the commissioner may accept any record, forms, or documentation provided for under
this chapter by electronic means.
(b) The commissioner may collect email addresses and use email in lieu of the United
States Postal Service as a method of notification. The commissioner must send any notice
regarding the potential forfeiture or foreclosure of an interest in property via the United
States Postal Service.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168A.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Amounts. (a) The department commissioner must be paid the following
fees:
(1) for filing an application for and the issuance of an original certificate of title except
as provided in clause (2), including a certificate of title issued to the owner after the certificate
was electronically transmitted to a secured party and all security interests have been satisfied,
$8.25, of which $4.15 must be paid into deposited in the driver and vehicle services operating
account under section 299A.705, subdivision 1, and a surcharge of $2.25 must be added to
the fee and credited to deposited in the driver and vehicle services technology account under
section 299A.705, subdivision 3;
(2) for application and issuance of a certificate of title that is electronically transmitted
to a secured party under section 168A.06, the amounts and in the allocations as specified
in clause (1);
(2) (3) for each security interest when first noted upon a certificate of title, including
the concurrent notation of any assignment thereof and its of the security interest and the
Sec. 9. 8
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
security interest's subsequent release or satisfaction, $2, except that no fee is due for a
security interest filed by a public authority under section 168A.05, subdivision 8;
(3) (4) for each assignment of a security interest when first noted on a certificate of title,
unless noted concurrently with the security interest, $1; and
(4) (5) for issuing a duplicate certificate of title, $7.25, of which $3.25 must be paid into
deposited in the driver and vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705,
subdivision 1, and a surcharge of $2.25 must be added to the fee and credited to deposited
in the driver and vehicle services technology account under section 299A.705, subdivision
3.
(b) In addition to the fee required under paragraph (a), clause (1), the department
commissioner must be paid $3.50. The additional $3.50 fee collected under this paragraph
must be deposited in the special revenue fund and credited to the public safety motor vehicle
account established in section 299A.70.
Sec. 10. [168A.50] ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
(b) "Electronic" has the meaning given in section 325L.02, paragraph (e).
(c) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or
logically associated with a document, form, physical odometer document, or other record
and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign, agree, or otherwise acknowledge
the information and facts to be accurate and correct.
(d) "Physical odometer document" means a physical document that is a certificate of
title, secure power of attorney, or reassignment document and contains an odometer disclosure
statement printed on paper by a secure printing process or other secure process by any
jurisdiction in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 580. Physical
odometer document excludes any other form or document, even if the document contains
a space for an odometer reading.
(e) "Requisite document" means any document, form, physical odometer document, or
record required under this chapter or chapter 168.
Subd. 2. Acceptance of electronic signatures. (a) The commissioner must accept
electronic signatures on any requisite document.
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04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
(b) The commissioner must accept a physical odometer document that is converted to
an electronic form by imaging, scanning, or similar process, and is subsequently executed
by an electronic signature. An electronic document under this paragraph is not an electronic
power of attorney or electronic title, as the terms are defined in Code of Federal Regulations,
title 49, section 580.03.
(c) The commissioner must accept any requisite document with electronic signatures
by:
(1) electronic means if the commissioner has a process or system available to accept the
document by electronic means; or
(2) physical means, such that the document is printed to paper.
(d) For a physical odometer document required to be submitted to the commissioner by
physical means, an electronic document created and executed as provided under paragraph
(b) must be accompanied by a printed copy of the electronic document and the corresponding
physical odometer document in its original format prior to execution by an electronic
signature. This paragraph applies if the physical odometer document is:
(1) a certificate of title; or
(2) a secure power of attorney or dealer reassignment that contains physically completed
data or information, such as by handwriting or printing, that preceded the execution by
electronic signature.
Subd. 3. Requirements; limitations. (a) The commissioner may require:
(1) that a document containing an electronic signature include an indication that the
signature is electronic; and
(2) a certification of authenticity, audit trail, or similar statement or proof of assurance.
(b) The commissioner must not:
(1) require an electronic signature process or an electronic signature vendor be certified
by the commissioner before accepting a document that is executed by an electronic signature;
(2) require a document that has been executed by an electronic signature to be converted
to physical format by printing for any purpose, except when submission by physical means
is required; and
(3) impose any additional requirements for an electronic signature except as authorized
under this section.
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04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
Subd. 4. Electronic signature capture system. (a) The system used to capture an
electronic signature must:
(1) be securely maintained;
(2) capture and retain user information, including the Internet Protocol address of the
signer and date and time stamp of system access or electronic signature capture; and
(3) retain all information provided to the system for a period of five years.
(b) The system or person granting access to the system used to capture an electronic
signature must verify the identity of the user accessing the system.
(c) Information under paragraph (a), clause (3), must be made available to the
commissioner, other regulatory agencies, or law enforcement upon request.
Subd. 5. Use of electronic signature. An electronic signature under this section must
not be used for any purpose other than as indicated by the signer on the document and must
be linked to the respective electronic record to ensure that the signature cannot be excised,
copied, or otherwise transferred unless expressly authorized by the signer.
Subd. 6. Authority. (a) Nothing in this section requires, prohibits, or otherwise limits
the ability of the commissioner to provide electronic service, process, system, platform, or
alternative methods to receiving and transmitting electronic data, documents, or records,
including electronic signature capturing or identity verification.
(b) Nothing in this section requires, prohibits, or otherwise limits the commissioner to
provide or issue an electronic power of attorney or electronic title, as the terms are defined
in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 580.03.
Subd. 7. Application; conflicts. (a) The requirements in this section apply beginning
October 1, 2027, and apply to this chapter and chapter 168.
(b) This section prevails in any conflict arising with another provision in this chapter or
chapter 168. The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, chapter 325L, prevails in any conflict
with this section and governs any area not expressly addressed in this section.
Sec. 11. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
In Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168A, the revisor of statutes must change the phrase
"sections 168A.01 to 168A.31" to "this chapter" wherever the phrase appears in statutes.
In Minnesota Statutes, section 336.9-311, paragraph (a), clause (2), the revisor must change
the phrase "168A.01 to 168A.31" to "chapter 168A." The revisor must make any necessary
Sec. 11. 11
04/21/26 REVISOR KRB/CG 26-08484 as introduced
grammatical changes or changes to sentence structure necessary to preserve the meaning
of the text as a result of the changes.
Sec. 11. 12

Electronic motor vehicle documents governing requirements provisions modifications

Sponsors

Sen. Matt Klein (D) sponsors SF 5273 alone.

Committees

SF 5273 went before 1 committee: Transportation.

Transportation
Transportation
Referred to · May 11, 2026

History

SF 5273 has taken 2 actions since May 11, 2026.

ChamberAction
May 11, 2026
Senate
Introduction and first reading
May 11, 2026
Senate
Referred to Transportation

Votes

SF 5273 has not gone to a roll call.


Source: revisor.mn.gov · legiscan.com