[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6633429,"mediaKeyId","2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1","parentId",2664432,"title","Committee approves bill allowing special rental‑car license plates to reduce tab logistics for fleets","audioSeconds",538,"startMs",2697000,"endMs",3235000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1&start=2697&end=3235","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1/thumbnail_2697000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633429/Minnesota/Committee-approves-bill-allowing-special-rentalcar-license-plates-to-reduce-tab-logistics-for-fleets","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633429-f46a3da7ca7657a7e8acc6394aa5045b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770584397&Signature=KdoyVjkPGbd5xXRRA8qURzmv75AegrJ2tRCcNxoqDCm8LXuHNt7b3TruKOEiHGo7zwqKqdNuESIYeKMbGCIlHmQab~9vzUeys20DUrGcAjvIweI3tA4LLwVGLHLBa~PaPWyk1~OuK6qVSACbBql9GJMc0nSnxmp-4JC9NxAL5ssfvlhbotV9DKbOoa46As-bKzJN14geIMIZZcLRZj46f8W8e8wE9Xm3c5rRNikwYGS6J8K7CBmaE3yBAyICIHWs9b~aBAbpdgq6jNWB1d9sQiifU1w0pnfO8Yr~fVI6m4L6gzvPNP5S2nTNT7u06DFuc3pSXTjdu-mNQ79KbDRTJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-17T20:59:56.873Z","article","The Transportation Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 recommended House File 2107 to pass and be referred to the Ways and Means Committee. The bill would allow the Department of Public Safety to create a rental‑car license plate for use by rental companies so tabs would not need to be physically affixed to each vehicle.

Representative Olson presented the bill and Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car representatives explained how vehicles move across branches and how mailing tabs to the branch where a car is physically located can create customer service problems when vehicles relocate. Steve Hari, controller for Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car in Minnesota, said the company has more than 50 rental locations in the state and ‘‘several thousand cars’’ that frequently move among branches. He said the proposed plate would not change registration fees; it would allow companies to retain a plate and transfer it among vehicles for a defined period (the bill contemplates a multi‑year validation option).

The committee adopted a technical A1 amendment to clarify statutory cross‑references and to ensure validation‑sticker requirements would not apply to the new plate. Representative Lisonbee moved the technical amendment; the committee approved it unanimously. After discussion the committee voted to recommend HF 2107 as amended and sent the bill to Ways and Means.

Sponsor and members framed the change as a modest business‑operations improvement intended to reduce administrative inefficiencies for large fleet operators while preserving customary registration fees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","House File 2107, which would create a special rental‑motor‑vehicle license plate option (reducing the need to attach physical tabs to individual vehicles), was recommended to pass and referred to Ways and Means after testimony from Enterprise representatives and a technical amendment was adopted.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6633434,"Committee sends bill to General Register to increase penalties for driving with suspended or revoked license",163,2513000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1&start=2513&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1/thumbnail_2513000.jpg","/articles/6633434/Minnesota/Committee-sends-bill-to-General-Register-to-increase-penalties-for-driving-with-suspended-or-revoked-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633434-caacbea2d60fd9636c94f51bb1265d33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770584397&Signature=EX41GLzQ4yA8aydWC1dt2Ha1ncjtG68I8bb4mAOnQfxOeUWu12wUGpLKS8x2Tj7g0b~q9qqiax9r-m-8F2NnNbC7UL6cZyAhWI2ScbDs1R~Nx8elFIsz-kcN8C81h8eaGVfVtvkOdXEPshzPi-iwu8Tt0lIrwoxAR1L7zJ-LeZ~od1GxOjRDUMIr-pMWh5szTAOK17lr77GMSPVG3I2HkxfDVQt5nZj5nAsTwkNWsb3jK3rjyRl3IuTxVY8HusUFqE9UyGmkVkYnXpNmDFY2QBB73-eeBObXxU2ZIiOwhMCNJNaVcdgSMqmlNgxh6Mj~R9oiO21t23G3l7XG2zyzBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Heintzeman presented House File 341 and the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee moved the bill to the General Register on March 17.

Heintzeman said the bill is intended to raise penalties for people who drive with suspended or revoked licenses in cases that cause substantial bodily harm or in repeat offenses within 10 years. He observed that current Minnesota law treats using a spotlight to spot deer and harassing wolves more severely than driving with a revoked or suspended license and said the bill would bring those sentences into closer alignment with the harm caused by unlicensed driving.

There was no public testimony at the committee hearing in opposition; Heintzeman noted the bill has a Senate author and said it has been discussed in past sessions. The committee adopted the motion to recommend the bill to pass and referred it to the General Register.","House File 341, which would enhance penalties for drivers who cause serious harm while driving with a suspended or revoked license or who commit repeat offenses, was recommended to pass and referred to the General Register after brief presentation by the sponsor.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6633437,"Panel approves repeal of e‑bike rebate and moves funds to highway account amid budget debate",1347,1099000,2446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1&start=1099&end=2446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1/thumbnail_1099000.jpg","/articles/6633437/Minnesota/Panel-approves-repeal-of-ebike-rebate-and-moves-funds-to-highway-account-amid-budget-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633437-15e046a188777c600530b8daa47dbe37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770584397&Signature=JMdsBmFPtv3i2ftdjKvPD~TDntH90SXtLmiD~2U2OmWim1r~4u972YvV-9slHsJ5ulQEA8BPkH4De0Ldxnad01cD1FIcpV~9KgnUWlBnjjAzuk9~0niE-ArPcIyfVZl9bmgc~rtYspEjwKNA-5ZfPEkbCOJpMc8XqTgKtqqIyClk0hmfqUXUCIIowFU0uwc2jtpmjCRv~yKNxp5eBXQOxS3WBIsfoNKbUtNXWlcizH508E~pCBoOPsW8NKUxRxPitDfvXFOQFX~OnrqOgi0Wy~fgAjuWBNvTZxaXlVqRBWXhRJgftyBRz0g8aMSVIgRaq3Ee8lgIzrduetkVkjGTCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On March 17 the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee recommended House File 2066 to pass and be referred to the Ways and Means Committee. The bill would repeal the state e‑bike rebate program and transfer the money into the Highway User Distribution Tax Fund.

Representative Weiner, the bill’s sponsor, described the proposal as a budgetary measure to repurpose approximately $2 million in prior appropriations for highway funding and said he was following broader efforts to scrutinize and reduce non‑essential spending.

Michael Wojcik, executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, opposed the repeal. Wojcik said the rebate has been ‘‘incredibly popular’’ and helps people in Greater Minnesota where fixed‑route transit is limited. He described e‑bikes as a ‘‘powerful tool for augmenting transit’’ and said the program’s first‑come, first‑served structure has produced heavy demand; he said an estimated 77,000 Minnesotans tried to access the rebate at once during a release.

Martha Noli (economist, Center of the American Experiment) testified in support of repeal, arguing Minnesota faces a multibillion dollar deficit and that the rebate primarily benefited higher‑income households. ‘‘Subsidizing the individual decisions of primarily affluent Minnesotans is not a core responsibility of the Minnesota state government,’’ she said, and urged redirecting funds to essentials.

Committee members debated equity and budget priorities. Chair Kosnick noted e‑bike prices have fallen and asked whether the program should be broadened to include pedal bicycles if the policy goal is active transportation. Representative Cagle expressed concern that moving the money to the highway fund does not address the general fund shortfall. Several members voiced support for the repeal as a start on larger budget cuts.

After questions and closing remarks from Representative Weiner about price trends and program incentives, the committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and referred HF 2066 to the Ways and Means Committee.","The committee recommended House File 2066 to repeal the e‑bike rebate, transferring funds to the Highway User Distribution Tax Fund; testimony split between bike advocates citing access and health benefits and economists arguing the rebate should be cut to help close projected deficits.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6633440,"Committee advances bill to increase penalties for fleeing police and expand license‑revocation grounds",291,811000,1102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1&start=811&end=1102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1/thumbnail_811000.jpg","/articles/6633440/Minnesota/Committee-advances-bill-to-increase-penalties-for-fleeing-police-and-expand-licenserevocation-grounds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633440-b61282644c6fad9f6a27ecaf03c60133/orig.mp4?Expires=1770584397&Signature=Id5O2R8TQ2z5w1-12obI5VV~KtnuT~9gYBoq8dR-cPilV-pGJrRvAUoVnFtzuEDWk3L7sDFmplsHR2tkg5wJec~I-FK9Z5bZz7LCnxW~2LTTR2D8scOdS8Nu6npYnjBUioO4s5vh0SlM7sPRiSB0VEZFrYgnE4d9tic-JwHQEejQO9ocqu2WT3i5kLfYj0p6SA9-RJm4Pa2rP~sVgXDbTqpLPNEbzM4DcdEQTnekcT1S~AGVj18zxLsAw3sBOERvX3pLsJAwLGJ7-tdC8IHMGGvfRJnDGBJIhQ-qkkLrZ0kwYfTpFp-KCAcs0~8HOHAQVt4oPQqr4x4WY814fqUMCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 recommended passage of House File 340 and referred it to the Judiciary, Finance and Civil Law Committee. The bill makes technical updates to existing statutory language, adds new provisions addressing reckless fleeing from police, and expands grounds and durations for driver license revocations.

Representative Steer, the bill’s sponsor, summarized the measure as ‘‘a technical update to existing subdivision language’’ to add provisions for negligence and failure to obey traffic control devices tied to fleeing from law enforcement, and to increase felony classifications in some circumstances.

Jay Henthorn, chief of police for the city of Richfield, testified on behalf of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, saying pursuits and fleeing incidents remain ‘‘at a very high level’’ and requesting stronger statutes to reflect increased danger. ‘‘Situations where people flee from police officers remains at a very high level,’’ Henthorn said, and he described 2,262 agency‑initiated pursuits in 2023 as background for the change.

Shane Myrie, president of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, also voiced support and associated the organization with the chiefs’ comments, saying the bill addresses a ‘‘public safety crisis’’ from fleeing motor vehicles.

Committee chair and members thanked law enforcement for the testimony, and the committee voted to recommend HF 340 to pass and be referred to the Judiciary, Finance and Civil Law Committee.

The committee record shows bipartisan acknowledgment of law enforcement concerns; the bill moves to the committee with jurisdiction over licensing and related penalties for further review.","House File 340, which creates new fleeing‑from‑police provisions and expands grounds and durations for licensing revocation, was recommended to pass and referred to the Judiciary, Finance and Civil Law Committee after law enforcement testimony in support.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6633443,"Committee sends bill allowing limited ATV operations on public roads to next committee amid safety concerns",730,65000,795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1&start=65&end=795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664432-5d6e4048d8e20ef9ac840cd725f7ebe1/thumbnail_65000.jpg","/articles/6633443/Minnesota/Committee-sends-bill-allowing-limited-ATV-operations-on-public-roads-to-next-committee-amid-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633443-2be2a39b3cf016109f59ed04b0aea272/orig.mp4?Expires=1770584397&Signature=SpXW4YexbNT9oHvpPxEHs9thCCfWm-XXqY-jNvjsJnI8svb4NYPrHjGsRRnoCOXk22XFEqXCVU07OVmYbLgOhYrhdyiqfa~Yk6PIPnV6rW48ndCzzfKQobLMNLBc41J5AKB8pfdlFc~po-CVxoegXJguiBjYOO5nTnzW1~EX-J4uqocMQFZ~XdP4QzSYkd56wISlBNmw1MvaOSccb5h-rBY7e3H7Z0oJKFqnZu5V3x-i2p2JDzykX8RLrmtwk9md0Dakyt2-TtflOnSXAUqk4~ws5zeBzudueMJDwMHNvRbBkWfvv1OgsxsrD2aMaVCndelS4uHKIAyo5K1boAKqug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 recommended House File 566, a bill to modify state law to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to operate on designated public roads in some communities, and referred the measure to the Elections, Finance and Government Operations Committee.

Representative Scribe, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure is aimed at Greater Minnesota towns where ATVs are commonly used as practical transportation. ‘‘This bill is critically important for Greater Minnesota cities and rural communities where ATVs are not just for recreation but also a practical mode of transportation,’’ Representative Scribe said.

Mayor Heidi Omerza of Ely testified in support, saying the bill would let her city link a new trailhead building directly to downtown and local businesses. ‘‘The ability to safely operate all terrain vehicles…is not just about recreation. It's about connectivity and accessibility,’’ Omerza said, adding that ATV tourism supports lodging, dining, fuel stations and equipment rentals in her region and generates ‘‘millions of dollars annually’’ for local economies.

Nick Wognum, secretary of the board for ATV Minnesota, described examples from small towns where state trunk highways serve as main streets and said residents have been ticketed for using ATVs to travel short local distances. ‘‘Small towns shouldn't have to penalize people who are just trying to get from one location to another,’’ Wognum said.

But Ken Johnson, assistant state traffic engineer at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), told the committee MnDOT and other safety partners have ‘‘serious concerns about safety’’ if the law is broadened. Johnson said ATVs ‘‘are not road worthy vehicles and don't meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards’’ and noted an increase in ATV‑involved fatal crashes, with 23 fatal crashes in 2024 compared with eight in 2023 and 14 in 2022. He said MnDOT staff ‘‘recommend that ATVs operate in the ditch or backslope whenever possible’’ and expressed concern that drivers might interpret a statutory change as allowing operation on any roadway with a certain speed limit.

Representative Scribe said he will meet with MnDOT to work on safety issues before the bill advances. The committee then voted to recommend the bill to pass and referred it to the Elections, Finance and Government Operations Committee.

The committee record shows supportive testimony from city and ATV‑industry witnesses and formal safety reservations from MnDOT and public safety partners; Representative Scribe signaled willingness to negotiate safety language before later consideration.","The House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee recommended House File 566 to pass and be referred to the Elections, Finance and Government Operations Committee after testimony from Greater Minnesota officials and safety concerns raised by MnDOT.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves bill allowing special rental‑car license plates to reduce tab logistics for fleets

Committee sends bill to General Register to increase penalties for driving with suspended or revoked license

Panel approves repeal of e‑bike rebate and moves funds to highway account amid budget debate

Committee advances bill to increase penalties for fleeing police and expand license‑revocation grounds

Committee sends bill allowing limited ATV operations on public roads to next committee amid safety concerns