This bill aims to provide certain tax and fee exemptions for eligible surviving spouses of veterans in Minnesota. Specifically, it amends various sections of the Minnesota Statutes to include exemptions from registration taxes, license plate fees, title fees, driver's license and identification card fees, and motor vehicle sales taxes for eligible owners, which are defined as veterans with a total service-connected disability and Gold Star spouses. The bill also clarifies that these exemptions apply to the registration of vehicles and includes provisions for personalized plates and special plate contributions.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and effective dates for these exemptions. It defines "Gold Star spouse" and specifies that the exemptions will be effective for registration periods starting on or after January 1, 2026, and for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2026. The amendments also remove references to "veterans" in certain contexts, replacing them with broader terms like "eligible owners" and "individuals," thereby expanding the scope of the exemptions to include Gold Star spouses.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 168.012, 171.01, 171.06, 297B.03