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Committee adopts technical amendment and lays over bill to allow Circle Pines deputy registrar to provide full‑service driver and vehicle services
Summary
Senate File 1951 would allow the Circle Pines deputy registrar to operate as a full‑service provider for driver and vehicle services. The committee adopted the author’s A‑1 amendment, a fiscal analyst described a modest one‑time equipment cost of about $9,000, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
Senate File 1951 was presented March 24 to allow a deputy registrar location in Circle Pines to operate as a full‑service provider for both vehicle registration and driver license services. Senator Gustafson said the change would fill a service gap in the north metro area where residents must travel to White Bear Lake or Forest Lake for full‑service options.
Senator Gustafson said the measure responds to demand in his district, noting past local closures and long lines at existing full‑service offices. He said the proposal had not drawn opposition from the deputy registrar association. Counsel described the bill as authorizing a specified deputy registrar location to provide full services that combine vehicle registration and driver‑license agent functions.
Senator Carlson moved the author’s A‑1 amendment, which the committee adopted by voice vote. Ms. Boyd, the fiscal presenter, said the fiscal note shows a one‑time cost of roughly $9,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the Driver and Vehicle Services operating account (special revenue fund). The cost breakdown Ms. Boyd provided included an image capture workstation (~$7,000), installation and training (~$700), and DVS equipment (DLA one vision camera) at about $1,100. Programming costs for MinDrive functionality were described as absorbable within the existing vendor contract.
Sam Krueger, representing the Circle Pines deputy registrar and testifying for the bill, said he had consulted with colleagues and the deputy registrars association and that no businessowners had raised concerns about competitive impacts. Several senators, including Jasinski and Hurd, voiced support, citing convenience for residents who cannot or prefer not to use online services.
The committee laid Senate File 1951 over for possible inclusion; no roll‑call final disposition was recorded in the transcript.
Why it matters: The change would expand local in‑person access to driver‑license and vehicle‑registration services in a growing North Metro area, potentially reducing travel and wait times for residents who rely on in‑person assistance.
Votes at a glance: A‑1 amendment — adopted by voice vote; Senate File 1951 — laid over for possible inclusion.
