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

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to enhance the penalties for individuals who repeatedly drive without a valid driver’s license in the state of Minnesota. It specifically targets those who continue to operate vehicles after having their licenses suspended, revoked, canceled, or otherwise invalidated, with an emphasis on reducing repeat offenses and increasing public safety.

Main Provisions

Misdemeanor Violations: The bill categorizes driving after suspension, revocation, cancellation, or disqualification as misdemeanors, provided these actions are not otherwise classified under a separate provision.
Gross Misdemeanor Violations: Individuals commit a gross misdemeanor if they drive after their license has been canceled or denied due to specific reasons under state statute, cause a collision with significant harm or fatality, or have similar offenses within a ten-year period.
Definition of Qualified Violation: A qualified violation involves driving under suspension or similar sanctions resulting from certain violations like impaired driving or failure to comply with conditions related to license restoration.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Minimum Fines for Repeat Offenses: The bill establishes mandatory minimum fines for individuals who repeatedly violate license-related statutes.
Increased Penalties for Severe Consequences: Those whose driving while unlicensed results in serious injury or death now face heightened penalties.
Scope of Responsibility: The bill designates county attorneys as responsible for prosecuting these offenses, ensuring consistent legal action across jurisdictions.
Sufficiency of Notice: Clarifies that notice of license status changes is legally sufficient if served personally or mailed to the last known address. It does not allow defenses based on failure to update personal information with the Department of Public Safety or postal service.

Relevant Terms

Public safety
Driving without a license
Suspension
Revocation
Cancellation
Disqualification
Misdemeanor
Gross misdemeanor
Qualified violation
Repeat offenses
Penalties

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment 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
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 31, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
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 06, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

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    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Enhancing penalties for repeated offenses."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill increases penalties and establishes minimum fines for repeat violations of driving without a valid license under section 171.24.",
      "modified": [
        "Establishes minimum fines for repeat violations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "171.24",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
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      ],
      "summary": "References existing restrictions and penalties relating to driver’s licenses issued under section 171.04.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified application of gross misdemeanor violations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "171.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1 clause 10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Definition of substantial bodily harm referenced in section 609.02.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies when substantial bodily harm applies to offenses."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Definition of great bodily harm referenced in section 609.02.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies when great bodily harm applies to offenses."
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    },
    "citation": "609.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
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      ],
      "summary": "Defines additional violations that qualify for enhanced penalties under section 171.24.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies violations related to driving without a valid license."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169.89",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
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      "removed": [
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      ],
      "summary": "References impaired driving penalties that enhance penalties under section 171.24.",
      "modified": [
        "References DWI-related suspensions relevant to driving violations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169A.52",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
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      ],
      "summary": "Addresses enhanced penalty triggers for enhanced violation status.",
      "modified": [
        "Aligns with section for license revocations due to DWI."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169A.54",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
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      "summary": "Related to enhanced driving penalties referencing prior juvenile adjudications.",
      "modified": [
        "Includes juvenile adjudications affecting license status."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.225",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 9"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
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      ],
      "summary": "Relates to crimes influencing driving privilege qualifications.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies conditions driving privilege reinstatement can be affected by criminal acts."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.19",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1 clause 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
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      "removed": [
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      ],
      "summary": "Enhanced penalties impact based on flights from peace officer incidents.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies relevance to fleeing peace officer impacts on license."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.487",
    "subdivisions": "subdivisions 3 to 5"
  }
]