Driver and Vehicle Services will hold a meeting of the Motor Vehicle Registration Compliance Working Group on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 9:00am. This meeting is open to the public. The public may attend online by going to https://bit.ly/3WzjfCX. The public may also attend the meeting in person. The location is the Large Skyway Conference Room. Please check in at the reception desk on the second floor (skyway level) at Town Square in St. Paul, MN (445 Minnesota St., Suite 200).
Click here for a copy of the agenda.
Materials from Aug. 15, 2024 meeting
Questions? Please contact Vehicle Services Program Director, Greg Loper (Greg.Loper@state.mn.us or 651-201-7931).
Legislation that established the working group
Sec. 16. MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION COMPLIANCE WORKING GROUP.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.
(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety.
(c) "Working group" means the motor vehicle registration compliance working group required under this section.
Subd. 2. Establishment. The commissioner of public safety must convene a working group by September 1, 2024, to examine motor vehicle registration and registration tax collection and compliance.
Subd. 3. Membership. (a) In addition to appropriate representatives of the Department of Public Safety, the commissioner must solicit the following individuals to participate in the working group:
(1) one member representing the Department of Transportation, appointed by the commissioner of transportation;
(2) one member representing the Department of Revenue, appointed by the commissioner of revenue;
(3) one member representing Tribal governments;
(4) one member appointed by the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota;
(5) one member appointed by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association;
(6) one member appointed by the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association;
(7) one member appointed by the Minnesota Peace and Police Officers Association;
(8) one member appointed by the Association of Minnesota Counties;
(9) one member appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities;
(10) one member appointed by the Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association;
(11) one member appointed by the Deputy Registrar Business Owners Association;
(12) one member appointed by the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association;
(13) one member appointed by AAA Minnesota; and
(14) one member appointed by the Minnesota Transportation Alliance.
(b) The commissioner may solicit participation in the working group by additional individuals if the commissioner determines that particular expertise or perspective would be beneficial to the working group in the performance of its duties.
Subd. 4. Appointment; vacancy. Members of the working group serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until the working group expires. Vacancies must be filled by the appointing authority.
Subd. 5. Duties. (a) At a minimum, the working group must:
(1) identify and evaluate potential methods for enforcement of motor vehicle registration and registration tax payment requirements that would replace enforcement through the use of criminal penalties, including but not limited to:
(i) alignment with individual income taxes;
(ii) revenue recapture; and
(iii) retention of license plates with a vehicle following a change of vehicle ownership; and
(2) develop recommendations, a legislative proposal, or both, related to motor vehicle registration and registration tax compliance through methods other than the use of criminal penalties.
(b) In evaluating methods under paragraph (a), clause (2), the working group must use criteria that include effectiveness, administrative efficiency, equity, burdens on motor vehicle owners, and substantial elimination of vehicle registration enforcement through traffic stops performed by peace officers.
Subd. 6. Administration. (a) The commissioner must provide administrative support to the working group. Upon request of the working group, the commissioners of transportation and revenue must provide relevant technical support.
(b) Members of the working group are not eligible for compensation.
(c) The working group is subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
(d) The working group is subject to the Minnesota Data Practices Act under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13.
Subd. 7. Report. By February 15, 2025, the commissioner must submit a report on motor vehicle registration compliance to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over transportation and public safety. At a minimum, the report must summarize the activities of the working group and provide information related to each of the duties specified in subdivision 3.
Subd. 8. Expiration. The working group expires June 30, 2025.
