HF 3356

1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/13/2026 10:02 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; requiring removal of identifying equipment and insignia
from emergency vehicles sold to the public; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [169.981] SALE OR TRANSFER OF PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, "Public safety vehicle" has the
same meaning as "authorized emergency vehicle" in section 169.011, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibition. new text end

new text begin (a) A person may not sell or transfer a public safety vehicle to the
public unless the person first removes any equipment or insignia that could mislead a
reasonable person to believe that the vehicle is a public safety vehicle, including any
emergency light, siren, amber warning light, spotlight, grill light, antenna, emblem, outline
of an emblem, or emergency vehicle equipment.
new text end

new text begin (b) The requirements in paragraph (a) do not apply to a sale or transfer to the federal
government, a state, a political subdivision, or an ambulance service licensed under section
144E.10.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Certificate of compliance. new text end

new text begin (a) Before consummating a sale or transfer of a
public safety vehicle that is subject to subdivision 2, paragraph (a), the vehicle owner must
provide a certificate of compliance to the buyer or transferee confirming that the vehicle
has had the public safety markings removed.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of public safety must design a standard certificate of compliance
form and make the form publicly available without fee on the department's publicly accessible
website using existing appropriations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Violations. new text end

new text begin (a) A person who sells or transfers a public safety vehicle to the
public in violation of this section is liable for:
new text end

new text begin (1) damages proximately caused by the use of that vehicle during the commission of a
crime; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a civil penalty of $2,500.
new text end

new text begin (b) Civil penalties collected under this subdivision must be deposited in the Minnesota
victims of crime account created in section 299A.708.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Exemption. new text end

new text begin Sales or transfers of public safety vehicles to members of the public
for purpose of collection or display are exempt from the requirements of this section if the
vehicle is owned and operated solely as a collector's item and not for general transportation
purposes and is registered under section 168.10, subdivision 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1g, or 1h.
new text end