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Committee hears bill to expand eligibility for Minnesota agricultural specialty license plate
Summary
Senate File 3953 would let additional vehicle classes, including commercial one‑ton pickups and farm trucks, purchase the state's agricultural specialty license plate; Minnesota FFA Foundation says the plate sold more than 4,115 units and raised over $200,000 to benefit FFA and 4‑H.
Senate File 3953 would expand the eligibility of Minnesota's agricultural specialty license plate so commercial one‑ton pickups and farm trucks can purchase it, increasing the number of vehicles whose buyers can voluntarily donate to the Minnesota FFA Foundation and Minnesota 4‑H.
Senator Dames, who carried the bill, said the dedicated plate passed in 2021 and has raised meaningful funds for youth agricultural programs. Val Arzewald, executive director of the Minnesota FFA Foundation, told the committee the plate has sold more than 4,115 units in four years and generated over $200,000 that has been split equally between Minnesota FFA and Minnesota 4‑H to support leadership conferences, technology and career training and supervised agricultural experiences.
"In just the first 4 years of being available, the plate has already sold over 4,115 plates. It has generated over $200,000," Arzewald said.
Arzewald and the foundation asked the committee to expand the eligible vehicle classes to correct an apparent drafting oversight so farm trucks and certain commercial pickups can contribute to the programs. Several FFA state officers were present and introduced themselves to underscore the programmatic benefits for students.
Chair Dibble moved to lay the bill on the table for possible omnibus inclusion; the motion was recorded and the bill was tabled.
