This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to provide fee exemptions for motor vehicles bearing special plates for Purple Heart medal recipients. It introduces a new section, 168.1245, which outlines the issuance and design of these special plates, stating that they will bear the inscription "COMBAT WOUNDED VET" and feature a facsimile of the Purple Heart medal. The bill specifies that these plates will be issued free of charge to qualified applicants, who must be registered owners of a passenger automobile, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle and comply with existing motor vehicle registration rules. Additionally, the bill allows for the transfer of these plates to another vehicle owned by the same individual without any associated fees.

The bill also amends existing statutes, including sections 168.12 and 168.123, to incorporate the new Purple Heart plates into the framework for personalized and special veterans plates. It removes previous language that required a fee for replacing plates issued to combat-wounded veterans and clarifies that special plates issued under the new section are exempt from certain renewal fees. Overall, the legislation aims to honor Purple Heart recipients by easing the financial burden associated with vehicle registration and plate issuance.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 168.12, 168.123, 168.1293