This bill establishes American Red Cross special license plates.  An applicant for the plates must:

(1)  be a registered owner of a passenger automobile, one-ton pickup truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle;

(2)  pay a fee of $10 for the set of special plates (or one motorcycle plate);

(3) contribute a minimum of $25 annually to the American Red Cross disaster preparedness and relief account; and

(4) comply with laws and rules on registration of motor vehicles and licensing of drivers.

The Commissioner of Public Safety will design the special plate after consultation with Minnesota chapters of the American Red Cross.  These plates may be transferred to another registered vehicle of the owner upon payment of a $5 fee. 

Fees collected from the sale and transfer of American Red Cross plates are to be deposited in the vehicle services operating account in the special revenue fund. 

Revenues from the $25 contribution are credited first to the Commissioner of Public Safety for costs of administering the American Red Cross disaster preparedness and relief account, and remaining contributions are credited to this account for distribution to Minnesota chapters of the American Red Cross.

This bill is effective January 1, 2012, for special plates issued on or after that date.

KB/BB:rdr