I spoke with Michael Richie, MN DOT HazMat guru last week and he indicated that Minnesota will drop its requirement that Minnesota based hazardous material carriers be registered with the State. If you are hauling HazMat, make certain you are registered with PHMSA! Read further to see what MTA has to say on this subject and determine whether or not you need to elect a new "base" state:

Minnesota has been a participating state in the Uniform State Hazardous Materials Transportation and Registration Program (HMP) since July 1, 1994. The program's purpose was to establish uniform forms and procedures for States that register persons who transport, cause to be transported, or ship hazardous materials by motor vehicle on the public highways in interstate or intrastate commerce. A carrier filing an application in Minnesota met the regulations in Minnesota, as well as meeting the requirements for other states participating in the HMP. Minnesota collected fees for Minnesota, plus fees for other member HMP states in which the carrier operated. Minnesota issued one cab listing Minnesota and other member HMP states in which the carrier operated.

Effective August 1, 2010, the statutory authority for Minnesota to participate in this program has been repealed by the 2010 State Legislature.

Effective June 1, 2010, the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations will no longer accept new or renewal applications, collect fees under this program, or issue credentials for the HMP.

Minnesota enforcement agencies as well as the state administrators in the remaining HMP states of Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia have been notified of this change.

THIS MEANS if you are a carrier that met the requirements to file an application and pay fees to the State of Minnesota as your base state under the Hazardous Materials Program; and you transport, cause to be transported, or ship hazardous materials by motor vehicle on the public highways in interstate or intrastate commerce through any of the six states listed above, you must now choose the state in which you generate the greatest percent of fleet mileage as your NEW BASE STATE.

The Minnesota Portion of all Hazardous Material Program Credentials issued by the State of Minnesota Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations with an expiration date after July 31, 2010 will expire July 31, 2010 regardless of the date issued or the expiration date listed on the credential. Authority in any states listed on the credential (except Minnesota) will expire on the date shown on the credentials. If your HMP credentials have expired or expire between now and July 31, 2010, the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations will not process a renewal or new application. You must make arrangements with your new base state and file immediately with them.

If your Minnesota-issued HMP credentials are expired or expire on or before June 1, 2010, you will need to identify your new base state, make application, calculate and pay fees to your new base state and receive new credentials before July 31, 2010 to operate legally in Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma or West Virginia.

If you have questions, you may contact the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations at (651) 215-6330.