Minnesota House Bill HF3274

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/30/25
• Refer: 4/30/25

Caption

Donate Life special plates established, and money appropriated.

Impact

The bill mandates the commissioner of transportation to design the special plates in consultation with the Donate Life organization, reflecting their mission and visual identity. Revenue generated from the sale of these plates will be directed to the Donate Life account, which is established within a special revenue fund. The funds will be appropriated annually to cover administrative costs related to the program and support Donate Life in executing their initiatives. Such state-sanctioned fundraising is expected to bolster public engagement in organ donation awareness.

Summary

House File 3274 establishes a new category of special vehicle registration plates in Minnesota called Donate Life special plates. The primary aim of these plates is to raise awareness and support for organ and tissue donation. To obtain a Donate Life plate, applicants must pay an additional fee beyond the standard vehicle registration fees and contribute a minimum of $10 annually to the Donate Life account. This new initiative not only facilitates individual participation in promoting organ donation but also emphasizes the importance of such contributions to the community and state.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support due to its philanthropic aspect, discussions may arise regarding the effectiveness of such measures in genuinely increasing organ donor registrations. Critics might question whether creating specialized plates is an effective or sufficient means of promoting life-saving organ donation initiatives compared to other outreach strategies. Additionally, the administrative tasks associated with managing and distributing the funds raised could also spark debate over potential inefficiencies or misallocation of resources.