Sen. Carla Nelson supported ‘MNLARS fix bill’ passes MN Senate

Requires strict oversight for broken licensing, tabs, and registration system

Senator Carla Nelson [R-Rochester] and the Minnesota Senate passed bipartisan legislation that adds strict oversight and accountability, as well as additional funding, to fix the failed automotive licensing and vehicle registration system known as MNLARS.

“This bill is the first step in repairing our broken Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) system,” said Senator Nelson. “Stakeholders had long forewarned the problems. Their voices were not heeded, even though Department of Public Safety leaders were contacted in August about MNLARS failures (see letter from Sen. Nelson). While DPS offered an apology, no solutions were given.”

The bill appropriates $10 million from existing funds for driver and vehicle services for immediate IT related expenses. The bill also includes strict oversight measures, including a quarterly report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and a mechanism for the legislature to shut off all funding if development benchmarks are not met. Specifically, it requires Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Minnesota IT Services (MN.IT) officials to submit a proposed timeline, including quarterly benchmarks, for a fully-functional program to the MNLARS Steering Committee by May 15. As the software is developed, the committee must approve any additional quarterly appropriation, provided the quarterly benchmarks are being met.

“Licensing officials, auto dealers, lenders, and drivers across the state have waited long enough for a MNLARS fix,” added Senator Nelson. “This emergency funding comes from existing reserves and will be spent only after strict legislative oversight. MNLARS has been a textbook case of government inefficiency, and thanks to this first step, we can finally start to repair this bureaucratic mess.”