Legion of Merit special license plate authorization
Summary
SF 353 authorizes the Minnesota commissioner of public safety to issue Legion of Merit special license plates, or a single special plate for a motorcycle, to eligible recipients of the Legion of Merit. To qualify, an applicant must own a passenger automobile, one-ton pickup, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle, pay the required registration tax, comply with motor vehicle registration and driver licensing laws, and use the vehicle for personal, not commercial, purposes. Applications may be made only at renewal or initial registration, and each qualified applicant may receive only one set of plates.
The bill also requires the commissioner to adopt a plate design that includes the words “LEGION OF MERIT.” The special plates must be issued free of charge, replaced without charge if damaged, and may be transferred to another qualifying vehicle registered to the same owner without a fee. The plates are exempt from a specified statutory fee provision, and the act takes effect January 1, 2026, for plates issued on or after that date.
Impact
This bill would add a new section to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168, creating a special license plate program for Legion of Merit recipients. It would affect the Department of Public Safety’s vehicle registration administration by establishing eligibility criteria, application timing, plate design requirements, fee waivers, transfer rules, and an effective date for issuance. The practical impact is limited to eligible veterans or service members who have received the Legion of Merit and who register qualifying personal-use vehicles in Minnesota.
Sentiment
The available record suggests the bill is generally favorable and noncontroversial. Its purpose is honorary and administrative, providing a recognition plate for a specific military decoration without imposing new taxes or broad regulatory changes. No committee transcripts or recorded votes are provided, so there is no evidence of opposition or debate in the materials supplied.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues that could arise in discussion of similar bills include the cost of issuing free specialty plates, administrative burden on the licensing agency, and whether the eligibility criteria are appropriately narrow or broad. However, the bill text and available context do not show any expressed disagreement from legislators, agencies, or the public.