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SF1484 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

License plates impoundment and reissue modification under the DWI law

AI Generated Summary

The bill S.F. No. 1484 relates to the changes in the enforcement of laws related to driving while impaired (DWI) in Minnesota. It specifically addresses how vehicle license plates are impounded and reissued when someone is caught driving under the influence. The bill amends existing statutes to outline several specific offenses, including:

  1. It is a crime to not comply with an impoundment order for license plates.
  2. It is illegal to submit false statements when dealing with impounded plates.
  3. It is an offense to drive a vehicle on public roads if the vehicle is under an impoundment order and does not have specially coded plates issued for it.
  4. Anyone who fails to notify the authorities about an impoundment order when requesting new plates will be committing a crime.
  5. It is illegal for a person, who is under a plate impoundment order, to operate any motor vehicle during the impoundment period unless the vehicle is employer-owned and exempt from needing an ignition interlock device, or has specially coded plates issued.
  6. If a person transfers a vehicle to someone else but still lets the previous owner, who is under an impoundment order, use the vehicle, it counts as a violation.
  7. Intentionally removing, damaging, or tampering with the permanent sticker that invalidates a registration plate is illegal.

The bill proposes to adjust and tighten the legal consequences related to DWI and the control measures on the use of vehicles by individuals who have been implicated in such offenses. The goal is to enhance accountability and ensure compliance with DWI laws.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 16, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 16, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provides new provisions describing the penalties for non-compliance with impoundment orders."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No changes to previously existing sections removed."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies how license plates are impounded and reissued under DWI law in section 169A.37.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the crime description related to impoundment compliance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169A.37"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Details on false statements and transferee responsibilities added."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No specific sections removed."
      ],
      "summary": "Changes to administrative procedures related to plate impoundment are made under section 169A.60.",
      "modified": [
        "Procedures for the issuance of specially coded plates during impoundment were updated."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169A.60"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies the use of vehicles without ignition interlock devices when under impoundment."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No changes to previously existing sections removed."
      ],
      "summary": "Provides conditions for operating employer-owned vehicles under section 171.306.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded the permissible conditions for operating certain vehicles under impoundment rules."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "171.306"
  }
]

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