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HF1509 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Authority to issue certain citations to pedestrians limited.

Related bill: SF1836

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to Minnesota's transportation laws, specifically regarding traffic signals and pedestrian rights. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 169.06 and 169.21, to clarify how traffic control signals apply to both vehicles and pedestrians.

Key provisions:
1. Traffic Control Signal Clarifications:
- Reinforces that traffic signals apply to both drivers and pedestrians.
- Specifies that pedestrians facing a green signal (except for a turn arrow) may cross, and drivers must yield to them.
- Pedestrians facing a yellow signal are warned not to begin crossing if there isn’t enough time to safely do so.
- Pedestrians facing a red signal are prohibited from entering the roadway unless controlled by a pedestrian-specific signal.

  1. Limitations on Enforcement Against Pedestrians:
    • Law enforcement cannot stop, detain, or cite a pedestrian for failing to obey a yellow or red signal unless:
      1. The officer has already lawfully stopped the pedestrian for an unrelated violation.
      2. A vehicle is approaching in a way that creates a collision risk between the pedestrian and the vehicle.

Overall, this bill aims to limit the authority of law enforcement to issue citations to pedestrians solely for crossing violations unless there is a safety concern or another legal reason for detainment.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toTransportation Finance and Policy
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
March 16, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor stricken
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor stricken
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor stricken
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A clause prohibiting peace officers from issuing citations to pedestrians under certain conditions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends section 169.06 to specify the conditions under which traffic control signals apply to drivers and pedestrians, and limits police authority to issue citations to pedestrians.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.06"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends section 169.21 related to pedestrians.",
      "modified": [
        "The conditions under which pedestrians can cross the road at traffic signals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169.21"
  }
]

Sponsors