Senate Passes Funding for MNLARS Fix

Continued attention to making the state's registration and licensing system (MNLARS) fully operational earned the approval of the Senate and the House with the passage Monday, March 4, of HF 861. The bill would designate another $5.7 million dollars for ongoing work to the system, while appropriating $5.5 million dollars for phase 2 of the Fast Drivers Licensing System and $2 million dollars for additional staffing in the Vehicle Services division.

The bill also requires that an outside informational technology expert review the MNLARS upgrade and make recommendations to the legislature as whether or not a private vendor should be hired to complete the project.

Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign the measure.