To all MDRA members:
Yesterday, the Senate Transportation Committee heard SF 4067 (Dibble), the DVS policy bill. This noncontroversial legislation is largely technical and housekeeping in general, but also serves as a “vehicle” to attach MDRA identified policy initiatives as well.
We are pleased to report that the committee acted favorably with our amendment and attached it to the bill! This development mirrors similar action taken by the House when they heard the companion bill (HF 4369-Tabke) earlier this month in the House Transportation Committee.
The Senate Transportation Committee has laid SF 4067 over to be included in their omnibus bill, just like the House Transportation Committee did with their companion bill, HF 4369. We anticipate both committees will unveil their omnibus bills later this week and we should be included in both. Once that occurs, a new bill number will be assigned to the house and senate omnibus bill versions which will replace these current file numbers (SF 4067 and HF 4369) that we’ve been working with.
Over the course of the next 6 weeks, the house and senate will advance their own omnibus bills to their respective floors for passage and then reconcile any differences between them in a conference committee (since our language is identical in both versions, this shouldn’t be an issue). After the conference committee completes its work, a single agreed upon bill returns for a final floor vote in both bodies.
The elements of our policy language that has been added in both house and senate bills include the following:
No ownership interest with a deputy or DL agent office by an EVTR vendor (effective upon enactment)
- Also includes prohibition on the vendor itself being appointed as a deputy or DL agent
No ownership interest with a deputy or DL agent office by a kiosk vendor (effective upon enactment)
- Also includes prohibition on the vendor itself being appointed as a deputy or DL agent
Allows use of a foreign passport as an acceptable credential when the individual applies for a MV title (effective 8/1/24)
Creates a specific time period (10/1/24 to 6/1/25) whereby a limited DL agent may apply to be appointed a full-service provider without existing rule interference
- Specific DL rules are suspended during this time frame concerning distance requirements and transaction volumes
- Eligibility is for an existing limited DL agents at their current location only
- Available only for non-metro based (outside 7-county metro area) limited DL agents
- Office must complete any additional required training regarding full DL and other full-service provider offerings
- Office can obtain reimbursement until 6/30/25 from DVS for equipment purchase (camera/eye exam machine)
- All other existing DL rules will still apply. Suspended DL rules will resume in force after 6/1/25
MDRA will keep you apprised of developments as we work through this year’s legislative session, which must adjourn no later than May 20. Next week the legislature will take an abbreviated Easter break from March 27 through April 2. Next month there will be additional breaks in observance of Eid (April 9-11) and Passover (April 22-23).
In closing, our annual MDRA Day on the Hill this year was unfortunately deferred until next year due to extensive capitol area construction and the lack of onsite meeting rooms and convenient parking impacting our traditional event. We are aiming for a date in mid-February 2025 which will be early into the next state budget session at the capitol when we will be seeking additional fee increases for MV and DNR. A specific date and site is expected to be chosen by next week and will be communicated to you, well in advance to mark your calendars and attend!
Thank you, members, for your interest and participation with MDRA legislative affairs.
Jim Hirst
MDRA lobbyist
