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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 amendments to Minnesota's transportation statutes, specifically limiting the authority of law enforcement officers to issue citations to pedestrians for certain traffic signal violations.

Key points of the bill:
1. Traffic Signal Rules for Pedestrians and Vehicles: The bill clarifies rules regarding traffic signals, including green, yellow, and red lights, as well as how pedestrians and vehicles must respond to them.
2. Right-of-Way Considerations: It reiterates that vehicles must yield to pedestrians lawfully in crosswalks but also states that pedestrians must yield to vehicles already in intersections when signals change.
3. Enforcement Restriction for Pedestrian Violations: The bill explicitly prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping, detaining, or issuing citations to pedestrians for crossing violations unless:
- The officer has already lawfully stopped the pedestrian for an unrelated offense.
- The pedestrian's action poses an immediate hazard of collision with an approaching vehicle.

Overall, the bill aims to reduce pedestrian citations for minor infractions unless public safety is directly at risk.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toTransportation Finance and Policy
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 added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on when peace officers can issue citations to pedestrians for specific signal violations."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The amendment relates to the regulation of traffic control signal systems under section 169.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Provisions regarding pedestrian right-of-way and vehicular obligations at traffic signals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169.06",
    "subdivision": "5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Additional conditions under which pedestrians must adhere to traffic signals."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section modifies enforcement and operational guidelines for pedestrian traffic control.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification regarding pedestrian crossing permissions and vehicular yielding obligations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169.21",
    "subdivision": "3"
  }
]

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