| 1 | 1 | | 1.1 A bill for an act |
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| 2 | 2 | | 1.2 relating to public safety; authorizing an action for damages for highway obstruction; |
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| 3 | 3 | | 1.3 imposing civil penalties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, |
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| 4 | 4 | | 1.4 chapter 169. |
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| 5 | 5 | | 1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: |
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| 6 | 6 | | 1.6 Section 1. [169.907] HIGHWAY OBSTRUCTION; CIVIL LIABILITY. |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1.7 Subdivision 1.Definition.For purposes of this section, "person" includes an individual, |
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| 8 | 8 | | 1.8private entity, state agency, or political subdivision. |
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| 9 | 9 | | 1.9 Subd. 2.Civil liability imposed.Whoever by an act or omission intentionally interferes |
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| 10 | 10 | | 1.10with, obstructs, or renders dangerous for passage any public highway is liable to an injured |
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| 11 | 11 | | 1.11person for damages arising from the injuries and reasonable attorney fees and costs. |
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| 12 | 12 | | 1.12 Subd. 3.Relationship to criminal law; election of remedy.If an act is a violation of |
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| 13 | 13 | | 1.13this section and section 609.74, clause (2), a state agency or political subdivision may elect |
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| 14 | 14 | | 1.14its remedy by commencing either an action under this section or criminal prosecution under |
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| 15 | 15 | | 1.15section 609.74, clause (2). A state agency or political subdivision may bring only one type |
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| 16 | 16 | | 1.16of action under this subdivision and is precluded from bringing the other type of action for |
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| 17 | 17 | | 1.17the same conduct. |
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| 18 | 18 | | 1.18 Subd. 4.Exemption.When carrying out duties imposed by law or contract, this section |
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| 19 | 19 | | 1.19does not apply to the actions of law enforcement or other emergency responders, road or |
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| 20 | 20 | | 1.20airport authorities, or utility officials or their agents, employees, or contractors. |
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| 21 | 21 | | 1.21 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to causes |
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| 22 | 22 | | 1.22of action accruing on or after that date. |
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| 23 | 23 | | 1Section 1. |
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| 24 | 24 | | REVISOR KRB/HL 25-0057111/14/24 |
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| 25 | 25 | | State of Minnesota |
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| 26 | 26 | | This Document can be made available |
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| 27 | 27 | | in alternative formats upon request |
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| 28 | 28 | | HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
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| 29 | 29 | | H. F. No. 256 |
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| 30 | 30 | | NINETY-FOURTH SESSION |
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| 31 | 31 | | Authored by Murphy; Repinski; Altendorf; Anderson, P. E.; Koznick and others01/23/2025 |
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| 32 | 32 | | The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy |
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