Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Capitol View®
Brian Bakst

Senate votes to reimburse licensing offices for MNLARS

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to carve out $13 million to provide private and municipal licensing bureaus money to recover from a state technology debacle.

The deputy registrar reimbursements stem from the errors, delays and other headaches since the 2017 launch of a licensing system known as MNLARS. It has affected driver’s licenses, vehicle tabs and other transactions.

Sen. John Jasinski, R-Faribault, said the private licensing offices lost business and racked up overtime costs due to programming flaws.

“The deputy registrars were hurt the most,” Jasinski said. “This is their core business. Other ones like auto dealers can still sell cars, although they’ve had issues. Towing companies can still tow cars, although they’ve had issues. Everybody else can do their business.”

The vote was 60-6.

Sen. Karla Bigham, DFL-Cottage Grove, said counties that operate licensing offices will also benefit, saving them from having to go to local taxpayers to pick up the tab.

“This is a good start,” she said. “It helps.”

The bill differs from one in the House, meaning negotiations are ahead before the grants go out. DFL Gov. Tim Walz has been supportive of compensation.

Awards would be based on a formula tied to volume of transactions at the business. Under the Senate-approved bill, registrars would not have to supply documentation of their financial hit to qualify for their grants.

“We believe, I believe, and I think most of my counterparts agree, they’ve been through enough,” Jasinski said, who added that would come off as an audit rather than an apology from the state. “This is the simplest method to get money back to our deputy registrars before they have to shut the doors.”

The House bill asks for “credible evidence of total increased costs and foregone revenue” before money from the $10 million fund in its proposal is released.

In both bills, registrars must sign a release agreeing not to file lawsuits over the problems.

Increased licensing fees for people seeking driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations are possible to generate money to pay for other MNLARS fallout.

Sen. Scott Newman, chair of the transportation committee, said there are “significant” requests pending for continuing technology upgrades and fixes.

“This is far from over,” said Newman, R-Hutchinson.