Any proposed, approved, or existing office location must comply with subparts 2 to 7. Existing offices that are not in compliance with subparts 4 and 7 on July 1, 1996, may be granted a variance by the commissioner under subpart 1a.
An existing deputy registrar may apply to the commissioner for a variance from complying with subparts 4 and 7 if compliance would be a substantial hardship for the deputy registrar. A deputy registrar may apply for a variance by submitting a written request, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, to the commissioner within six months of July 1, 1996. The commissioner shall consider the following factors when reviewing the deputy registrar's request for a variance:
A variance granted under this subpart expires upon the death or retirement of an individual appointed as a deputy registrar, the dissolution of a corporate deputy registrar, or the revocation or resignation of any deputy registrar appointment.
If the deputy registrar office moves, any variances granted with respect to the office space requirements of subparts 4 and 7 expire.
The commissioner's decision and the right to review of the commissioner's decision must follow the procedures in part 7406.0330, subparts 3 and 4.
A deputy registrar:
Inventory must be maintained in a secured area that is not accessible to the public either during or after business hours.
A deputy registrar must have an office that is equipped with the technological infrastructure required to process credit card data or debit card data using a card-processing terminal or other hardware provided by the commissioner. "Technological infrastructure" means the physical hardware used to interconnect computers and users. It includes the transmission media and other devices that control transmission paths, and includes the software used to send, receive, and manage the signals that are transmitted. A deputy registrar is responsible for the cost for the technological infrastructure.
The size of the office area includes the processing areas, the public service area, and the inventory storage area of the office. The size of the office area must contain a minimum of 300 square feet.
If the deputy registrar office space is adjacent to another nonconflicting business, the other business may not encroach upon the office space of the deputy registrar office. The deputy registrar office space must be separate and distinct from the other business.
The office must be accessible to the disabled in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
An indoor or outdoor sign must be prominently displayed to identify the office.
A deputy registrar may not own or be a partner, officer, or five-percent shareholder in a financial institution, motor vehicle dealership, or automobile insurance business.
A deputy registrar office may not be located in the same office space with a financial institution, a motor vehicle dealership, or an automobile insurance office. A deputy registrar office that is located adjacent to a conflicting business must be separated from the conflicting business by floor-to-ceiling walls. The deputy registrar must have an entrance that is separate from the conflicting business and must have a door that can be shut and locked to close off the entire entrance.
Minn. R. agency 171, ch. 7406, pt. 7406.0400
Statutory Authority: MS s 14.06; 168.33; 171.061; 299A.01