This bill introduces an outdoor recreation license plate endorsement in Minnesota, which will allow motor vehicle access to state parks and recreation areas. The endorsement will be available for passenger automobiles, noncommercial one-ton pickup trucks, motorcycles, and recreational motor vehicles upon registration or annual renewal. It establishes a new section for the outdoor recreation endorsement account to collect fees that will support the operation and maintenance of the state park system. A valid outdoor recreation endorsement sticker must be affixed to the vehicle's license plate, and a process for issuing these stickers through self-service kiosks is included. The bill also provides exemptions for veterans with service-connected disabilities regarding the endorsement fees.

The endorsement fee will start at $15 for registrations between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2028, increasing to $19 for registrations on or after January 1, 2031. The bill specifies vehicles that are ineligible for the endorsement, such as commercial vehicles and those designed to transport more than 15 people. The endorsement is non-transferable and valid only for the registered vehicle. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commissioner of public safety, in coordination with the commissioner of natural resources, provide information about the endorsement during the registration process and requires the design of the endorsement sticker to be distinct from standard registration stickers. An appropriation is included to fund the implementation of the outdoor recreation endorsement, effective January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 85.053, 168.002, 168.012, 168.0135, 168.09, 168.12, 168.27, 168.29, 169.79