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S.F. No. 923 - Motor Vehicle Registration Rules, Periods, Permits, Veterans’ Special Plates, Record Retention, and Federal Compliance Modifications; Background Checks Authorization
 
Author: Senator Susan Kent
 
Prepared By: Krista Boyd, Senate Fiscal Analyst (651/296-7681)
 
Date: March 11, 2013



 

Section 1 deletes the requirement that the registrar of motor vehicles distribute vehicle registrations as uniformly as practicable through the calendar year, and specifies that all vehicles registered under the monthly series system shall be registered for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

Section 2 modifies exceptions to the monthly series motor vehicle registration system. 

Section 3 clarifies that a drive-away in-transit license plate issued by the registrar to a tow operator is not valid for permanent vehicle registration and is not valid outside Minnesota.

Section 4 makes changes to the design specifications of certain veterans’ special license plates and eliminates special plates for veterans of World War I.

Section 5 modifies the section relating to payment of registration taxes on a prorated basis by certain nonresidents of the state.

Section 6 defines “on an occasional basis” in the section of statute regarding issuance of trip permits.  The definition allows no more than one trip permit per vehicle within a 30-day period.

Section 7 adds a subdivision to the section of statute on motor vehicle dealers, stating that a holder of a used vehicle parts dealer license may sell, solicit or advertise used parts and scrap metals, but must not sell new or used motor vehicles, either at retail or to a dealer.

Section 8 specifies minimum requirements for the place of business of a limited use vehicle license holder, including a commercial office space for the keeping of necessary books, records and files.  During normal business hours, the space either shall be staffed with personnel or have a telephone answering service available.  The space must be owned or leased for a one year minimum term.

A limited use vehicle license is provided to a tax-exempt nonprofit charitable organization that acquires vehicles for sale through donation, and allows the organization to accept assignment of vehicles without the requirement to transfer title until sold or donated.

Section 9 deletes the requirement that an application for a motor vehicle dealer’s license be denied if the applicant was denied a license within the previous year.

Section 10 modifies requirements for reporting to the Department of Public Safety a dealer’s purchase of an older model vehicle to dismantle or destroy.  The dealer must obtain the title or verify ownership, notify any secured parties, and retain the title or motor vehicle record.  The period for notification to the department is reduced from 30 days to ten days after purchase, and this notification must be made electronically.

Section 11 modifies requirements for reporting to the Department of Public Safety a dealer’s purchase of a late-model or high-value vehicle to dismantle or destroy, to be consistent with modifications for purchase of older model vehicles as made in Section 10.

Section 12 modifies the definition of “valid medical examiner’s certificate” in the chapter of statute on drivers’ licenses. It specifies that the certificate must be issued by a medical examiner who is certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration and listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.  This section is effective May 1, 2014.

Section 13, subdivision 1, authorizes the Commissioner of Public Safety to conduct criminal history background checks on certain current or prospective employees involved with enhanced drivers’ licenses or commercial drivers’ licenses.

Subdivision 2 specifies the procedure for the background check.  The background check shall be performed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) upon request of the Commissioner of Public Safety.  The request must include a consent form, including fingerprints, signed by the employee being investigated.  The BCA shall charge a fee to the commissioner to recover the cost of performing the background check.

Subdivision 3 states that criminal justice agencies shall provide required information to the commissioner for the purposes of the background check.  "Criminal justice agencies" means all state and local prosecution authorities, all state and local law enforcement agencies, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Department of Corrections, and all probation officers who are not part of the judiciary.

Subdivision 4 authorizes the commissioner to request and the BCA to conduct annual criminal history background checks on employees as defined in subdivision 1, in a manner consistent with subdivisions 2 and 3.

Section 14 states that the statutory description of and fee for Minnesota identification cards for seniors do not apply to enhanced identification cards for applicants age 65 or older.

Section 15 states the provision allowing lifetime validity of Minnesota identification cards for seniors does not apply to enhanced identification cards for applicants age 65 or older.

Section 16 repeals a section of statute authorizing one-way trip permits issued by the registrar.

 
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