05-26-2020-R - Laserfiche WebLink

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-21- Driver and Vehicle Registration System (VTRS) – The Legislature selected VTRS, a third party vendor system, to replace the failed Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS). Fees from driver’s licenses, license plates, and filing fees were increased and a technology surcharge imposed on vehicle registration renewals to pay for the implementation of VTRS, the decommissioning of MNLARS, and to temporarily increase the capacity of Driver and Vehicle Services to meet public service needs. Included in this is $13 million appropriated in 2019 for reimbursement grants to deputy registrars for costs related to MNLARS. The grants, which would be determined by formula, would require the deputy registrar accepting the grant to release the state from any further liability or claims related to MNLARS. Vaping Ordinance Authority – Effective July 1, 2019, cities are allowed to enact and enforce ordinances with more stringent measures than the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act to protect individuals from involuntary exposure to aerosol or vapor from electronic delivery devices. Water Connection Fees – Effective January 1, 2020, the annual water connection fees cities are required to collect on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Health for water testing and support has been increased from $6.36 to $9.72. Military Exception to Open Meeting Law – Effective August 1, 2019, members of a public body that are in the military will be allowed to participate in public meetings via interactive television when they are at a required drill, deployed, or on active duty. The member may participate under this exception up to three times a year. Pension Plan Changes – The 2019 pension bill included several changes to the various pension plans throughout the state: • Changes to plans administered by the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) included: o The rights of PERA General Employees Retirement Fund (GERF) plan and Public Employees Police and Fire Fund (PEPFF) plan members to purchase service credit for periods of military leave were expanded. This gives plan members the right to purchase up to five years of service credit for military service leave that is not federally protected because the service occurred prior to public employment or the member did not meet the payment deadlines applicable to federally protected leave service credit purchases. o The Phased Retirement Option (PRO) program, which gives cities an opportunity to retain potentially retiring employees that are GERF plan members aged 62 or over, was altered and made permanent. Under a PRO arrangement, an employee would begin collecting a retirement annuity, but could continue working for their current employer for up to five years if they agree to a work schedule that represents a reduction of at least 25 percent each pay period from their current schedule, up to a maximum of 1,044 hours per year. Employees would not be allowed to contribute to a pension benefit plan or accrue additional service time while working under a PRO. o A process was established for municipalities and joint powers entities to terminate participation in the PERA Statewide Volunteer Firefighter (SVF) plan if, 1) the entity has either eliminated its fire department or ceased using the services of all departing firefighters and any other noncareer or volunteer firefighters, and 2) the entity’s account has assets sufficient to cover all liabilities including the fully vested liabilities for all departing firefighters and administrative expenses.