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HF 502

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/11/2022 11:35am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 01/28/2021
1st Engrossment Posted on 02/18/2021

Current Version - 1st Engrossment

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A bill for an act
relating to driving while impaired; providing that DWI offenders are not required
to take a specified examination as a condition of driver's license reinstatement;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 169A.55, subdivision 2; 169A.60,
subdivision 13; 171.29, subdivision 1; 171.30, subdivision 1; 171.306, subdivision
4.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 169A.55, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Reinstatement of driving privileges; notice.

Upon expiration of a period of
revocation under section 169A.52 (license revocation for test failure or refusal), 169A.54
(impaired driving convictions and adjudications; administrative penalties), or 171.177
(revocation; search warrant), the commissioner shall notify the person of the terms upon
which driving privileges can be reinstated, and new registration plates issued, which terms
are: (1) deleted text begin successful completion of an examination anddeleted text end proof of compliance with any terms
of alcohol treatment or counseling previously prescribed, if any; and (2) any other
requirements imposed by the commissioner and applicable to that particular case. The
commissioner shall notify the owner of a motor vehicle subject to an impoundment order
under section 169A.60 (administrative impoundment of plates) as a result of the violation
of the procedures for obtaining new registration plates, if the owner is not the violator. The
commissioner shall also notify the person that if driving is resumed without reinstatement
of driving privileges or without valid registration plates and registration certificate, the
person will be subject to criminal penalties.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 169A.60, subdivision 13, is amended to read:


Subd. 13.

Special registration plates.

(a) At any time during the effective period of an
impoundment order, a violator or registered owner may apply to the commissioner for new
registration plates, which must bear a special series of numbers or letters so as to be readily
identified by traffic law enforcement officers. The commissioner may authorize the issuance
of special plates if:

(1) the violator has a qualified licensed driver whom the violator must identify;

(2) the violator or registered owner has a limited license issued under section 171.30;

(3) the registered owner is not the violator and the registered owner has a valid or limited
driver's license;

(4) a member of the registered owner's household has a valid driver's license; or

(5) the violator has been reissued a valid driver's license.

(b) The commissioner may not issue new registration plates for that vehicle subject to
plate impoundment for a period of at least one year from the date of the impoundment order.
In addition, if the owner is the violator, new registration plates may not be issued for the
vehicle unless the person has been reissued a valid driver's license in accordance with chapter
171.

(c) A violator may not apply for new registration plates for a vehicle at any time before
the person's driver's license is reinstated.

(d) The commissioner may issue the special plates on payment of a $50 fee for each
vehicle for which special plates are requested.

(e) Paragraphs (a) to (d) notwithstanding, the commissioner must issue upon request
new registration plates for deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin anynew text end vehicle new text begin owned by a violator or registered ownernew text end for which
the registration plates have been impounded if:

(1) the impoundment order is rescinded;

(2) the vehicle is transferred in compliance with subdivision 14; or

(3) the vehicle is transferred to a Minnesota automobile dealer licensed under section
168.27, a financial institution that has submitted a repossession affidavit, or a government
agency.

new text begin (f) Paragraphs (a) to (d) notwithstanding, the commissioner, upon request and payment
of a $100 fee for each vehicle for which special plates are requested, must issue new
registration plates for any vehicle owned by a violator or registered owner for which the
registration plates have been impounded if the violator becomes a program participant in
the ignition interlock program under section 171.306.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 171.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Examination required.

new text begin (a) new text end No person whose driver's license has been
revoked by reason of conviction, plea of guilty, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, under
section 169.791, 169.797, 171.17, or 171.172, or revoked under section 169.792deleted text begin , 169A.52,deleted text end
deleted text begin or deleted text end shall be issued another license unless and until that person shall have successfully
passed an examination as required by the commissioner of public safety. This subdivision
does not apply to an applicant for early reinstatement under section 169.792, subdivision
7a
.

new text begin (b) The requirement to successfully pass the examination described in paragraph (a)
does not apply to a person whose driver's license has been revoked because of an impaired
driving offense.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 171.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Conditions of issuance.

(a) The commissioner may issue a limited license
to the driver under the conditions in paragraph (b) in any case where a person's license has
been:

(1) suspended under section 171.18, 171.173, 171.186, or 171.187;

(2) revoked, canceled, or denied under section:

(i) 169.792;

(ii) 169.797;

(iii) 169A.52:

(A) subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2);new text begin or
new text end

deleted text begin (B) subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6), if in compliance with section
171.306;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (C)deleted text end new text begin (B)new text end subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2), if the test results indicate an
alcohol concentration of less than twice the legal limit;

deleted text begin (D) subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6), if in compliance with section
171.306;
deleted text end

(iv) 171.17; or

(v) 171.172;

(3) revoked, canceled, or denied under section 169A.54:

(i) subdivision 1, clause (1), if the test results indicate an alcohol concentration of less
than twice the legal limit;

(ii) subdivision 1, clause (2);new text begin or
new text end

deleted text begin (iii) subdivision 1, clause (5), (6), or (7), if in compliance with section 171.306; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv)deleted text end new text begin (iii)new text end subdivision 2, if the person does not have a qualified prior impaired driving
incident as defined in section 169A.03, subdivision 22, on the person's record, and the test
results indicate an alcohol concentration of less than twice the legal limit; or

(4) revoked, canceled, or denied under section 171.177:

(i) subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2);new text begin or
new text end

deleted text begin (ii) subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6), if in compliance with section
171.306;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (iii)deleted text end new text begin (ii)new text end subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2), if the test results indicate an
alcohol concentration of less than twice the legal limitdeleted text begin ; ordeleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (iv) subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6), if in compliance with section
171.306.
deleted text end

(b) The following conditions for a limited license under paragraph (a) include:

(1) if the driver's livelihood or attendance at a chemical dependency treatment or
counseling program depends upon the use of the driver's license;

(2) if the use of a driver's license by a homemaker is necessary to prevent the substantial
disruption of the education, medical, or nutritional needs of the family of the homemaker;
or

(3) if attendance at a postsecondary institution of education by an enrolled student of
that institution depends upon the use of the driver's license.

(c) The commissioner in issuing a limited license may impose such conditions and
limitations as in the commissioner's judgment are necessary to the interests of the public
safety and welfare including reexamination as to the driver's qualifications. The license may
be limited to the operation of particular vehicles, to particular classes and times of operation,
and to particular conditions of traffic. The commissioner may require that an applicant for
a limited license affirmatively demonstrate that use of public transportation or carpooling
as an alternative to a limited license would be a significant hardship.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision:

(1) "homemaker" refers to the person primarily performing the domestic tasks in a
household of residents consisting of at least the person and the person's dependent child or
other dependents; and

(2) "twice the legal limit" means an alcohol concentration of two times the limit specified
in section 169A.20, subdivision 1, clause (5).

(e) The limited license issued by the commissioner shall clearly indicate the limitations
imposed and the driver operating under the limited license shall have the license in possession
at all times when operating as a driver.

(f) In determining whether to issue a limited license, the commissioner shall consider
the number and the seriousness of prior convictions and the entire driving record of the
driver and shall consider the number of miles driven by the driver annually.

(g) If the person's driver's license or permit to drive has been revoked under section
169.792 or 169.797, the commissioner may only issue a limited license to the person after
the person has presented an insurance identification card, policy, or written statement
indicating that the driver or owner has insurance coverage satisfactory to the commissioner
of public safety. The commissioner of public safety may require the insurance identification
card provided to satisfy this subdivision be certified by the insurance company to be
noncancelable for a period not to exceed 12 months.

(h) The limited license issued by the commissioner to a person under section 171.186,
subdivision 4
, must expire 90 days after the date it is issued. The commissioner must not
issue a limited license to a person who previously has been issued a limited license under
section 171.186, subdivision 4.

(i) The commissioner shall not issue a limited driver's license to any person described
in section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (6), (7), (8), (11), or (14).

(j) The commissioner shall not issue a class A, class B, or class C limited license.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 171.306, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Issuance of restricted license.

(a) The commissioner shall issue a class D
driver's license, subject to the applicable limitations and restrictions of this section, to a
program participant who meets the requirements of this section and the program guidelines.
The commissioner shall not issue a license unless the program participant has provided
satisfactory proof that:

(1) a certified ignition interlock device has been installed on the participant's motor
vehicle at an installation service center designated by the device's manufacturer; and

(2) the participant has insurance coverage on the vehicle equipped with the ignition
interlock device. new text begin If the participant has previously been convicted of violating section 169.791,
169.793, or 169.797 or the participant's license has previously been suspended or canceled
under section 169.792 or 169.797,
new text end the commissioner shall require the participant to present
an insurance identification carddeleted text begin , policy, or written statement as proof of insurance coverage,
and may require the insurance identification card provided be
deleted text end new text begin that isnew text end certified by the insurance
company to be noncancelable for a period not to exceed 12 months.

(b) A license issued under authority of this section must contain a restriction prohibiting
the program participant from driving, operating, or being in physical control of any motor
vehicle not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device certified by the
commissioner. A participant may drive an employer-owned vehicle not equipped with an
interlock device while in the normal course and scope of employment duties pursuant to
the program guidelines established by the commissioner and with the employer's written
consent.

(c) A program participant whose driver's license has been: (1) revoked under section
169A.52, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (1), (2), or (3), or subdivision 4, paragraph
(a), clause (1), (2), or (3); 169A.54, subdivision 1, clause (1), (2), (3), or (4); or 171.177,
subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (1), (2), or (3), or subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause
(1), (2), or (3); or (2) revoked under section 171.17, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause
(1), or suspended under section 171.187, for a violation of section 609.2113, subdivision
1
, clause (2), item (i) or (iii), (3), or (4); subdivision 2, clause (2), item (i) or (iii), (3), or
(4); or subdivision 3, clause (2), item (i) or (iii), (3), or (4); or 609.2114, subdivision 2,
clause (2), item (i) or (iii), (3), or (4), resulting in bodily harm, substantial bodily harm, or
great bodily harm, where the participant has fewer than two qualified prior impaired driving
incidents within the past ten years or fewer than three qualified prior impaired driving
incidents ever; may apply for conditional reinstatement of the driver's license, subject to
the ignition interlock restriction.

(d) A program participant whose driver's license has been: (1) revoked, canceled, or
denied under section 169A.52, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6), or
subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6); 169A.54, subdivision 1, clause (5), (6),
or (7); or 171.177, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6), or subdivision 5,
paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6); or (2) revoked under section 171.17, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (1), or suspended under section 171.187, for a violation of section
609.2113, subdivision 1, clause (2), item (i) or (iii), (3), or (4); subdivision 2, clause (2),
item (i) or (iii), (3), or (4); or subdivision 3, clause (2), item (i) or (iii), (3), or (4); or
609.2114, subdivision 2, clause (2), item (i) or (iii), (3), or (4), resulting in bodily harm,
substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm, where the participant has two or more qualified
prior impaired driving incidents within the past ten years or three or more qualified prior
impaired driving incidents ever; may apply for deleted text begin a limiteddeleted text end new text begin conditional reinstatement of the
driver's
new text end license, subject to the ignition interlock restriction, if the program participant is
enrolled in a licensed chemical dependency treatment or rehabilitation program as
recommended in a chemical use assessmentdeleted text begin , and if the participant meets the other applicable
requirements of section 171.30. After completing
deleted text end new text begin . As a prerequisite to eligibility for eventual
reinstatement of full driving privileges, a participant whose chemical use assessment
recommended treatment or rehabilitation shall complete
new text end a licensed chemical dependency
treatment or rehabilitation program deleted text begin and one year of limited license use without violating
the ignition interlock restriction, the conditions of limited license use, or program guidelines,
the participant may apply for conditional reinstatement of the driver's license, subject to the
ignition interlock restriction
deleted text end . If the program participant's ignition interlock device
subsequently registers a positive breath alcohol concentration of 0.02 or higher, the
commissioner shall deleted text begin cancel the driver's license, and the program participant may apply for
another limited license according to this paragraph.
deleted text end new text begin extend the time period that the participant
must participate in the program until the participant has reached the required abstinence
period described in section 169A.55, subdivision 4.
new text end

(e) Notwithstanding any statute or rule to the contrary, the commissioner has authority
to determine when a program participant is eligible for restoration of full driving privileges,
except that the commissioner shall not reinstate full driving privileges until the program
participant has met all applicable prerequisites for reinstatement under section 169A.55 and
until the program participant's device has registered no positive breath alcohol concentrations
of 0.02 or higher during the preceding 90 days.