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SF1639 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Placement of automated license plate readers provision in trunk highway right-of-way

Related bill: HF188

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • This bill aims to authorize the placement of automated license plate readers (ALPR) within Minnesota trunk highway rights-of-way and to create a process for local governments to obtain permits to do so. It also updates how land in interstate or trunk highway rights-of-way can be used, clarifying allowed purposes and necessary approvals.

Main provisions

  • Subdivision 1 — Limited use

    • The transportation commissioner may arrange, in the public interest, limited use of land that is owned as interstate or trunk highway rights-of-way.
    • The use may be for highway purposes and for certain aesthetic purposes, but not for permanent buildings—except for structures needed to provide information to travelers under advertising agreements described in sections 160.272 to 160.276.
    • The commissioner must secure any required approval from the appropriate federal agency.

  • Subdivision 2 — Automated license plate readers (ALPR)

    • ALPR is defined as described in section 13.824 subdivision 1.
    • The commissioner may establish a process to issue a permit for a local unit of government to place ALPR within trunk highway rights-of-way.
    • The permit process may include requirements determined necessary to protect public safety and ensure the proper function of the trunk highway.

Significance and intended effect

  • The bill explicitly adds authority to deploy ALPR cameras in trunk highway rights-of-way and creates a formal permit pathway for local governments to do so.
  • It ties ALPR deployment to safety, proper highway operation, and compliance with any applicable federal approvals.

Key definitions and references (as used in the bill)

  • Automated license plate reader (ALPR)
  • ALPR cameras
  • trunk highway rights-of-way
  • interstate rights-of-way
  • local unit of government
  • public safety
  • highway purposes
  • aesthetic purposes
  • permanent buildings
  • section 13.824
  • Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 161.434

Relationship to existing law

  • The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 161.434 to formalize limited-use provisions for rights-of-way and to add the ALPR permitting framework.

Relevant Terms - automated license plate readers - ALPR - license plate readers - trunk highway rights-of-way - interstate rights-of-way - limited use - permit - local unit of government - public safety - highway purposes - aesthetic purposes - permanent buildings - federal agency approval - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 161.434 - section 13.824

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 20, 2025SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
February 20, 2025SenateActionReferred toTransportation

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Defines 'limited use' of trunk highway rights-of-way to allow information-related advertising under specified agreements.",
        "Specifies that such use may include aesthetic purposes and information advertising."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minn. Stat. 161.434 to authorize limited use of trunk highway right-of-way for highway purposes, including advertising and informational displays, with restrictions on permanent buildings and requiring federal approval where required.",
      "modified": [
        "Recasts the section to include advertising and informational displays as permissible uses within the trunk highway right-of-way, subject to approval by the appropriate federal agency."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "161.434",
    "subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Places ALPR provisions under Subd. 2 and defines ALPR by reference to Minn. Stat. 13.824, subd. 1.",
        "Authorizes the commissioner to establish a permit process for local units of government to place ALPR within trunk highway rights-of-way."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adds automated license plate reader (ALPR) provisions to Minn. Stat. 161.434, including definition reference and a permit process for ALPR placement.",
      "modified": [
        "Expands trunk highway right-of-way authority to include ALPR deployments with safety and function safeguards."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "161.434",
    "subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Incorporates external definitional reference for ALPR from Minn. Stat. 13.824, subd. 1."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References the meaning of 'automated license plate reader' as defined in Minn. Stat. 13.824, subd. 1, to be used for interpretation within the bill.",
      "modified": [
        "Uses existing statutory definition for ALPR rather than creating a new definition within this bill."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.824",
    "subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Referencing existing outdoor/public service advertising provisions applicable to trunk highways."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites existing sections 160.272 through 160.276 related to advertising and information within trunk highway contexts.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "160.272 to 160.276",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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