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HF 645

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/04/2019 03:04pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
 relating to motor vehicles; authorizing certain tow trucks and towing vehicles to
be equipped with blue flashing lights; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections
168B.16; 169.64, subdivision 4.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 168B.16, is amended to read:


168B.16 FLASHING LIGHT ON TOW TRUCK.

new text begin (a) new text end A tow truck or towing vehicle must be equipped with flashing or intermittent red
and amber lights of a type approved by the commissioner of public safety.new text begin A tow truck or
towing vehicle may be equipped with a blue light, subject to the limitations under section
169.64, subdivision 4, paragraphs (a) and (b).new text end The lights must be placed on the dome of the
vehicle at the highest practicable point visible from a distance of 500 feet.

new text begin (b)new text end The flashing red lightnew text begin , blue light, or bothnew text end must be displayed only when the tow truck
or towing vehicle is new text begin stopped and new text end engaged in emergency service on or near the traveled
portion of a highway. The flashing amber light may be displayed when the tow truck or
towing vehicle is moving a disabled vehicle.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.64, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Blue light.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) to (d), blue lights are
prohibited on all vehicles except road maintenance equipment deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ,new text end snow removal equipmentnew text begin ,
or a tow truck or towing vehiclenew text end operated by or under contract to the state or a political
subdivision thereof.

(b) Authorized emergency vehicles may display flashing blue lights to the rear of the
vehicle as a warning signal in combination with other lights permitted or required by this
chapter. In addition, authorized emergency vehicles may display, mounted on the passenger
side only, flashing blue lights to the front of the vehicle as a warning signal in combination
with other lights permitted or required by this chapter.

(c) A motorcycle may display a blue light of up to one-inch diameter as part of the
motorcycle's rear brake light.

(d) A motor vehicle may display a blue light of up to one-inch diameter as part of the
vehicle's rear brake light if:

(1) the vehicle is a collector vehicle, as described in section 168.10; or

(2) the vehicle is eligible to display a collector plate under section 168.10.