HF332 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Crime of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle modified to add a heightened penalty for fleeing in a culpably negligent manner.
Related bill: SF323
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to modify the crime of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle by adding a heightened penalty when the fleeing is done in a culpably negligent manner. It also creates new consequences related to driving privileges for people convicted of fleeing offenses.
Main provisions
License revocation tied to fleeing offenses:
- The commissioner of public safety must revoke a person’s driver’s license when there is a certificate of conviction showing a violation of 609.487 subdivision 3, subdivision 3a, or subdivision 4 (or a local ordinance that mirrors these provisions) in connection with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
Minimum revocation lengths (based on specific offenses and prior history):
- First offense under 609.487 subdivision 3: at least 1 year revocation.
- Second or subsequent offense under 609.487 subdivision 3: at least 3 years.
- Offense under 609.487 subdivision 3a: at least 4 years.
- Offense under 609.487 subdivision 4, clause a: at least 10 years.
- Offense under 609.487 subdivision 4, clause b: at least 7 years.
- Offense under 609.487 subdivision 4, clause c: at least 5 years.
Limited license rules:
- A limited license issued under section 171.30 cannot be granted for half of the applicable revocation period.
- After half of the revocation period has passed, a limited license may be issued only if the adjudicating court recommends it.
How it changes existing law
- Establishes formal, mandatory license revocation for convictions related to fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, linking driving privileges directly to convictions.
- Creates a structured, tiered system of minimum revocation periods depending on the specific fleeing offense and whether it is a first or subsequent offense.
- Adds restrictions around when a temporary or limited driving license can be issued during the revocation period, requiring court involvement after half the period.
Significant changes to consider
- Shifts driving privilege consequences from discretionary or case-by-case decisions to a statutory, minimum-revocation framework tied to specific fleeing offenses.
- Introduces a clear, long-term impact on driving privileges for offenders, with longer revocation periods for more serious offenses and repeat offenses.
- Requires court involvement for any limited license after half the revocation period, potentially limiting early return to driving after a conviction.
Key terms from the bill (for context)
- Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle
- 609.487 subdivisions 3, 3a, 4
- Commissioner of public safety
- Certificate of conviction
- Revocation of license
- Limited license (section 171.30)
- Adjudicating court
- Ordinance conforming to subdivisions
- Culpably negligent manner
Relevant Terms - fleeing a peace officer - motor vehicle - 609.487 subdivision 3 - 609.487 subdivision 3a - 609.487 subdivision 4 - certificate of conviction - revocation - driver’s license - commissioner of public safety - limited license - section 171.30 - adjudicating court - ordinance
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2025 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Establishes a schedule of license revocation periods for offenses under Minnesota Statutes 609.487, including subd. 3 (not less than 1 year for the first offense), subd. 3 (not less than 3 years for a second or subsequent offense), subd. 3a (not less than 4 years), and subd. 4 (not less than 10, 7, and 5 years for clauses a, b, and c, respectively).",
"Adds a provision that, for a limited license under Minn. Stat. 171.30, issuance is not allowed for one-half of the revocation period, and may occur only after that period with the adjudicating court's recommendation."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 171.174 to establish a license-revocation framework for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, using the existing 609.487 penalties as the basis for revocation durations.",
"modified": [
"Amends 171.174 to codify the revocation period framework tied to offenses under 609.487."
]
},
"citation": "171.174",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Not less than 1 year revocation for a first offense under 609.487 subd. 3, as applied in 171.174."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes 609.487, subdivision 3, to determine the license-revocation durations under 171.174 for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.",
"modified": [
"No direct modification to the text of 609.487 subd. 3; the change is in 171.174’s revocation scheme."
]
},
"citation": "609.487",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Not less than 4 years revocation for offense under 609.487 subd. 3a, as applied in 171.174."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes 609.487, subdivision 3a, to determine license revocation durations under 171.174 for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.",
"modified": [
"No direct modification to 609.487 subd. 3a; the change is in 171.174’s revocation scheme."
]
},
"citation": "609.487",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Not less than 10 years revocation for subd. 4 clause a.",
"Not less than 7 years revocation for subd. 4 clause b.",
"Not less than 5 years revocation for subd. 4 clause c."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill uses Minnesota Statutes 609.487, subdivision 4 to determine license revocation durations under 171.174 for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, including the clauses a, b, and c.",
"modified": [
"No direct modification to 609.487 subd. 4; used as basis for revocation durations in 171.174."
]
},
"citation": "609.487",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a subdivision to 609.487 subd. 5 (content not included in the excerpt)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.487 subdivision 5 by adding a subdivision, though the content of the addition is not provided in the text.",
"modified": [
"Addition to 609.487 subd. 5; effect on penalties for fleeing a peace officer is not shown in the excerpt."
]
},
"citation": "609.487",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee