Minnesota Session Laws - 2015, Regular Session

CHAPTER 53--H.F.No. 307

An act

relating to transportation; commerce; providing for proof of insurance in electronic format;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.791, subdivisions 1, 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.791, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Terms defined.

(a) For purposes of this section and sections 169.792 to 169.798, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety.

(c) "District court administrator" or "court administrator" means the district court administrator or a deputy district court administrator of the district court that has jurisdiction of a violation of this section.

(d) "Insurance identification card" means a card new text begin , including in an electronic format as provided in section 65B.482, subdivision 1, new text end issued by an obligor to an insured stating that security as required by section 65B.48 has been provided for the insured's vehicle.

(e) "Law enforcement agency" means the law enforcement agency that employed the peace officer who demanded proof of insurance under this section or section 169.792.

(f) "Peace officer" or "officer" means an employee of a political subdivision or state law enforcement agency, including the Minnesota State Patrol, who is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and is authorized to make arrests for violations of traffic laws.

(g) "Proof of insurance" means an insurance identification card, written statement, or insurance policy as defined by section 65B.14, subdivision 2.

(h) "Vehicle" means a motor vehicle as defined in section 65B.43, subdivision 2, or a motorcycle as defined in section 65B.43, subdivision 13.

(i) "Written statement" means a written statement by a licensed insurance agent stating the name and address of the insured, the vehicle identification number of the insured's vehicle, that a plan of reparation security as required by section 65B.48 has been provided for the insured's vehicle, and the dates of the coverage.

(j) The definitions in section 65B.43 apply to sections 169.792 to 169.798.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.791, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Requirement for driver, whether or not owner.

new text begin (a) new text end Every driver shall have in possession at all times when operating a vehicle and shall produce on demand of a peace officer proof of insurance in force at the time of the demand covering the vehicle being operated. If the driver does not produce the required proof of insurance upon the demand of a peace officer, the driver is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who violates this section within ten years of the first of two prior convictions under this section, section 169.797, or a statute or ordinance in conformity with one of those sections. The same prosecuting authority who is responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor violations of this section is responsible for prosecuting gross misdemeanor violations of this section. A driver who is not the owner of the vehicle may not be convicted under this section unless the driver knew or had reason to know that the owner did not have proof of insurance required by this section, provided that the driver provides the officer with the name and address of the owner at the time of the demand or complies with subdivision 3.

new text begin (b) The use of an electronic device to display proof of insurance does not constitute consent for a peace officer to access other contents of the electronic device. new text end

new text begin (c) If a person uses an electronic device to display proof of insurance, a peace officer is immune from liability for any damage to the device, unless the peace officer does not exercise due care in handling the device. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor May 16, 2015

Signed by the governor May 19, 2015, 3:55 p.m.