1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to traffic regulations; imposing petty misdemeanor penalty for certain 
1.3 	motor vehicle hit-and-run offenses; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 
1.4 	169.09, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.09, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 14b.Violation; penalty for owner or lessee. (a) If a motor vehicle is 
1.9 	operated in violation of subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, the owner of the vehicle, or for a 
1.10 	leased motor vehicle the lessee of the vehicle, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
1.11 	(b) The owner or lessee may not be fined under paragraph (a) if:
1.12 	(1) the owner, lessee, or another person is convicted for that violation; 
1.13 	(2) the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation; or
1.14 	(3) the owner permitted the possession and operation by another person of the 
1.15 	vehicle, in the ordinary course of the owner's business.
1.16 	(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a lessor of a motor vehicle if the lessor keeps a 
1.17 	record of the name and address of the lessee.
1.18 	(d) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit or limit the prosecution of a motor vehicle 
1.19 	operator for violating subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
1.20 	(e) A violation under paragraph (a) does not constitute grounds for revocation or 
1.21 	suspension of the owner's or lessee's driver's license.

1.22 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.1 	Section 1 is effective August 1, 2007, and applies to offenses committed on or 
2.2 	after that date.