HF341

HF341 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Penalties enhanced and minimum fines established for repeat violations of driving without a valid license.

Related bill: SF1374

AI Generated Summary

This legislative bill from Minnesota is focused on increasing the penalties and establishing minimum fines for individuals who repeatedly violate laws by driving without a valid driver's license. The bill specifies that:

Driving After License is Suspended, Revoked, or Canceled: If a person's driver’s license or driving privilege has been suspended, revoked, or canceled, and they knowingly drive a vehicle, they are committing a misdemeanor.
Severe Consequences for Grave Violations: If a person causes significant harm or death while driving without a valid license, or if they have repeated offenses within ten years, they could be charged with a gross misdemeanor.
Notice of Violation: The bill outlines that notice of suspension, revocation, cancellation, or disqualification can be given through personal delivery, mail to the last known address, or to the address on the driver's license. Being informed at the time of a previous offense that such penalties could be imposed based on future violations is also recognized as adequate notice.
Role of Local Prosecutors: Local attorneys responsible for misdemeanor offenses will also handle the prosecution for gross misdemeanor violations under this section.
Defense Against Violations: It is not a valid defense to claim ignorance of a suspension, revocation, or cancellation if the individual failed to update their address with the postal service or the Department of Public Safety.

The amendments aim to tighten enforcement and increase accountability for those driving illegally, thereby enhancing public safety on Minnesota roads.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy
April 06, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Received from House
April 06, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 18, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
February 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to	Transportation Finance and Policy
April 06, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
February 25, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Second reading
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 31, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Amended
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Amended
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Third reading as amended
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Third reading as amended
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Bill was passed as amended
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Bill was passed as amended

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Establishes minimum fines for repeat offenses."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the penalties and fines associated with driving without a valid license under section 171.24.",
      "modified": [
        "Enhances penalties for specific repeat violations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "171.24"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References to gross misdemeanor violations include section 171.04, governing cancellation or denial of licenses under specific conditions.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.04"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines terms used in the context of gross misdemeanor violations causing substantial bodily harm or death.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.02"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References penalty provisions under section 169.89 in relation to gross misdemeanor violations.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.89"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Includes reference to DWI testing refusal, which affects license revocation and is related to the amendments.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169A.52"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Refers to license revocation under section 169A.54 concerning impaired driving offenses.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169A.54"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References conditions for temporary instruction permits under section 171.05.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.05"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Mentions driver’s license examination failure under section 171.13.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.13"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Discusses revocation and suspension details under section 171.17.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.17"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References section 171.177 in relation to license actions based on chemical test refusal.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.177"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Parallels impacts on suspension conditions under section 171.18.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.18"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Mentions conditions specific to certain types of licenses under section 171.32.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.32"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References juvenile driving violations under section 260B.225.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260B.225"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "General traffic regulation violation under section 169.13 is referenced in context of driving offenses.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.13"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Pedestrian traffic rules under section 169.21 mentioned in relation to driving infractions.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.21"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "School bus safety violation references under section 169.444.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.444"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Involuntary manslaughter provisions under section 609.19 are relevant to severe driving violations resulting in death.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.19"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle under section 609.487 connects with driving misconduct proposals.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.487"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Multiple offenses prosecution under section 609.035 considered in legal proceedings.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.035"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Section 609.04 relates to conviction procedure limitations connected to the discussed violations.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.04"
  }
]