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 is available for passenger automobiles, noncommercial one-ton pickup trucks, motorcycles, and recreational motor vehicles upon registration or annual renewal. Key amendments include the requirement for a valid outdoor recreation endorsement sticker for entry into state parks, the creation of an outdoor recreation endorsement account within the natural resources fund to manage revenue from endorsement fees, and the inclusion of the endorsement in the temporary permit process for vehicle registration. Notably, certain fees for the endorsement will be exempt for veterans with service-connected disabilities, with provisions set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The endorsement will be indicated by a distinctive sticker affixed to the vehicle's license plate, with fees starting at $15 for registrations between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2028, and increasing to $19 for registrations on or after January 1, 2031. The bill specifies ineligible vehicles for the endorsement, such as commercial vehicles and those designed to transport more than 15 people, and emphasizes that the endorsement is non-transferable between vehicles. 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 on the department's website. 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