HF1261

HF1261 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Penalty for tampering with a motor vehicle increased, and crime for riding in a vehicle when the person reasonably should have known that a vehicle was taken without permission established.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill aims to strengthen public safety by changing penalties for actions involving a motor vehicle. It increases accountability for tampering with a vehicle and creates a new crime for riding in a vehicle when the rider reasonably should know the vehicle was taken without permission. The changes modify Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.546.

Main Provisions

Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.546 (Motor Vehicle Tampering).
New or revised offense: A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if they intentionally ride in or on a motor vehicle knowing, or reasonably should know, that the vehicle was taken and is being driven by another without the owner's permission.
Existing offense: A person commits a gross misdemeanor if they tamper with, enter into, or onto a motor vehicle without the owner's permission.
The bill ties the new riding-in-a-stolen-vehicle offense to the knowledge or reasonable knowledge that the vehicle was taken without permission.

Significant Changes

Adds a distinct crime for riding in a motor vehicle that has been taken without permission, applicable when the rider knows or should know it’s taken.
Elevates or clarifies penalties by categorizing these actions under gross misdemeanor offenses, reinforcing deterrence against vehicle theft and related behavior.
Broadly expands liability to include individuals who knowingly participate in using a stolen vehicle by riding in it, not just those who tamper with or enter a vehicle.

Administration and Process

The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy for consideration.

Relevant Terms - gross misdemeanor - tampering with a motor vehicle - riding in or on a motor vehicle - taken without the owner's permission - owner's permission - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.546 - public safety - Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
Introduction PDF PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 20, 2025	House		Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy
March 10, 2025	House		Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Adds gross misdemeanor offense for riding in or on a stolen vehicle when the rider knows or reasonably should know the vehicle is taken without permission."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.546 (Motor Vehicle Tampering) to create a new gross misdemeanor offense for riding in or on a motor vehicle known or reasonably should know to be taken without the owner's permission, and to increase penalties for tampering with a motor vehicle; it also clarifies prohibited acts involving entering or tampering with a motor vehicle.",
      "modified": [
        "Amends section 609.546 to read as motor vehicle tampering; expands scope to include riding in a stolen vehicle and clarifies knowledge standard."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.546.1.6",
    "subdivision": "1.6"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%

In Committee