May 2014: ST. PAUL, MINN. – Thanks to an amendment added by Senator David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm) onto a Veterans motorcycle license plate bill this week, retired firefighters will now have their own license plates. The idea came about years ago when Sen. Tomassoni was approached by a constituent, but it wasn’t until this session that the idea was finally realized.
“This is a fairly simple amendment that allows retired members of a fire department who served ten or more years to get their own license plates that signify their service to their communities. Firefighters put their lives on the line, and just because they’re retired, doesn’t mean we should stop recognizing their contributions,” said Sen. Tomassoni.
Currently when firefighters retire they are required to give up their specialty firefighter license plates. This bill will allow them to keep the license designation, but on a different plate. The fee structure for the two plates (active firefighter and retired) will remain the same at $10 per registered vehicle. The plate can go on a passenger automobile, a one-ton pickup truck, a recreational vehicle or a motorcycle.
Sen. Tomassoni authored a bill in 2010 that would have gotten retired firefighters their own license plates, but the bill did not receive a hearing.
“More than four years after the idea was first brought to me, the bill can finally come to fruition. I’m happy to do this small part on behalf of the Minnesota men and women who have risked their lives for all of us,” said Sen. Tomassoni.
Both legislative bodies have adopted the Conference Committee reports and repassed the bill. The bill is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.