Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF3297 Compare Versions

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11 1.1 A bill for an act​
22 1.2 relating to drivers' licenses; requiring proof of lawful presence in the United States​
33 1.3 to obtain driver's license or identification card; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,​
44 1.4 sections 171.04, subdivision 1; 171.06, subdivisions 1, 3, 8; 171.07, subdivisions​
55 1.5 1, 3; 171.12, subdivisions 7a, 11; 171.1205.​
66 1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​
77 1.7 Section 1. INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE.​
88 1.8 With this act, it is the intent of the legislature to enhance the safety of all Minnesotans​
99 1.9and to comply with United States Code, title 8, section 1324.​
1010 1.10 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
1111 1.11 Subdivision 1.Persons not eligible.The department shall not issue a driver's license:​
1212 1.12 (1) to any person under 18 years unless:​
1313 1.13 (i) the applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, provides proof of legal presence in the United​
1414 1.14States, and has a previously issued valid license from another state or country or the applicant​
1515 1.15has, for the 12 consecutive months preceding application, held a provisional license and​
1616 1.16during that time has incurred (A) no conviction for a violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33,​
1717 1.17169A.35, sections 169A.50 to 169A.53, or section 171.177, (B) no conviction for a​
1818 1.18crash-related moving violation, and (C) not more than one conviction for a moving violation​
1919 1.19that is not crash related. "Moving violation" means a violation of a traffic regulation but​
2020 1.20does not include a parking violation, vehicle equipment violation, or warning citation;​
2121 1.21 (ii) the application for a license is approved by (A) either parent when both reside in the​
2222 1.22same household as the minor applicant or, if otherwise, then (B) the parent or spouse of the​
2323 1​Sec. 2.​
2424 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​
2525 State of Minnesota​
2626 This Document can be made available​
2727 in alternative formats upon request​
2828 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES​
2929 H. F. No. 3297​
3030 NINETY-FOURTH SESSION​
3131 Authored by Schultz​05/05/2025​
3232 The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy​ 2.1parent having custody or, in the event there is no court order for custody, then (C) the parent​
3333 2.2or spouse of the parent with whom the minor is living or, if subitems (A) to (C) do not apply,​
3434 2.3then (D) the guardian having custody of the minor, (E) the foster parent or director of the​
3535 2.4transitional living program in which the child resides or, in the event a person under the age​
3636 2.5of 18 has no living father, mother, or guardian, or is married or otherwise legally​
3737 2.6emancipated, then (F) the minor's adult spouse, adult close family member, or adult employer;​
3838 2.7provided, that the approval required by this item contains a verification of the age of the​
3939 2.8applicant and the identity of the parent, guardian, adult spouse, adult close family member,​
4040 2.9or adult employer; and​
4141 2.10 (iii) the applicant presents a certification by the person who approves the application​
4242 2.11under item (ii), stating that the applicant has driven a motor vehicle accompanied by and​
4343 2.12under supervision of a licensed driver at least 21 years of age for at least ten hours during​
4444 2.13the period of provisional licensure;​
4545 2.14 (2) to any person who is 18 years of age or younger, unless the person has applied for,​
4646 2.15been issued, and possessed the appropriate instruction permit for a minimum of six months,​
4747 2.16and, with respect to a person under 18 years of age, a provisional license for a minimum of​
4848 2.1712 months;​
4949 2.18 (3) to any person who is 19 years of age or older, unless that person has applied for,​
5050 2.19been issued, and possessed the appropriate instruction permit for a minimum of three months;​
5151 2.20 (4) to any person whose license has been suspended during the period of suspension​
5252 2.21except that a suspended license may be reinstated during the period of suspension upon the​
5353 2.22licensee furnishing proof of financial responsibility in the same manner as provided in the​
5454 2.23Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act;​
5555 2.24 (5) to any person whose license has been revoked except upon furnishing proof of​
5656 2.25financial responsibility in the same manner as provided in the Minnesota No-Fault​
5757 2.26Automobile Insurance Act and if otherwise qualified;​
5858 2.27 (6) to any drug-dependent person, as defined in section 254A.02, subdivision 5;​
5959 2.28 (7) to any person who has been adjudged legally incompetent by reason of mental illness,​
6060 2.29mental deficiency, or inebriation, and has not been restored to capacity, unless the department​
6161 2.30is satisfied that the person is competent to operate a motor vehicle with safety to persons​
6262 2.31or property;​
6363 2.32 (8) to any person who is required by this chapter to take a vision, knowledge, or road​
6464 2.33examination, unless the person has successfully passed the examination. An applicant who​
6565 2​Sec. 2.​
6666 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 3.1fails four road tests must complete a minimum of six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction​
6767 3.2with an approved instructor before taking the road test again;​
6868 3.3 (9) to any person who is required under the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance​
6969 3.4Act to deposit proof of financial responsibility and who has not deposited the proof;​
7070 3.5 (10) to any person when the commissioner has good cause to believe that the operation​
7171 3.6of a motor vehicle on the highways by the person would be inimical to public safety or​
7272 3.7welfare;​
7373 3.8 (11) to any person when, in the opinion of the commissioner, the person is afflicted with​
7474 3.9or suffering from a physical or mental disability or disease that will affect the person in a​
7575 3.10manner as to prevent the person from exercising reasonable and ordinary control over a​
7676 3.11motor vehicle while operating it upon the highways;​
7777 3.12 (12) to a person who is unable to read and understand official signs regulating, warning,​
7878 3.13and directing traffic;​
7979 3.14 (13) to a child for whom a court has ordered denial of driving privileges under section​
8080 3.15260C.201, subdivision 1, or 260B.235, subdivision 5, until the period of denial is completed;​
8181 3.16or​
8282 3.17 (14) to any person whose license has been canceled, during the period of cancellation.;​
8383 3.18or​
8484 3.19 (15) to any person who has not provided proof of lawful presence in the United States.​
8585 3.20 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
8686 3.21 Subdivision 1.Application format and requirements.Every application for a Minnesota​
8787 3.22identification card, including an enhanced identification card, or for a driver's license,​
8888 3.23including an instruction permit, a provisional license, a noncompliant driver's license, a​
8989 3.24REAL ID driver's license, and an enhanced driver's license, must be made in a format​
9090 3.25approved by the department. Every application must be accompanied by payment of the​
9191 3.26proper fee. All applicants must sign the application and declare, under penalty of perjury,​
9292 3.27that the information and documentation presented in the application is true and correct. All​
9393 3.28applications requiring require evidence of legal presence in the United States or United​
9494 3.29States citizenship and must be signed in the presence of the person authorized to accept the​
9595 3.30application, or the signature on the application may be verified by a notary public.​
9696 3​Sec. 3.​
9797 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 4.1 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
9898 4.2 Subd. 3.Contents of application; other information.(a) An application must:​
9999 4.3 (1) state the full name, date of birth, sex, and either (i) the residence address of the​
100100 4.4applicant, or (ii) designated address under section 5B.05;​
101101 4.5 (2) include proof of lawful presence in the United States;​
102102 4.6 (2) (3) contain a description of the applicant, including the applicant's height in feet and​
103103 4.7inches, weight in pounds, eye color, and sex; the applicant's driving privileges; and the​
104104 4.8applicant's ability to operate a motor vehicle with safety;​
105105 4.9 (3) (4) state:​
106106 4.10 (i) the applicant's Social Security number; or​
107107 4.11 (ii) if the applicant does not have a Social Security number and is applying for a​
108108 4.12Minnesota identification card, instruction permit, or class D provisional or driver's license,​
109109 4.13that the applicant elects not to specify a Social Security number;​
110110 4.14 (4) (5) contain a notification to the applicant of the availability of a living will/health​
111111 4.15care directive designation on the license under section 171.07, subdivision 7;​
112112 4.16 (5) (6) include a method for the applicant to:​
113113 4.17 (i) request a veteran designation on the license under section 171.07, subdivision 15,​
114114 4.18and the driving record under section 171.12, subdivision 5a;​
115115 4.19 (ii) indicate a desire to make an anatomical gift under subdivision 3b, paragraph (e);​
116116 4.20 (iii) as applicable, designate document retention as provided under section 171.12,​
117117 4.21subdivision 3c;​
118118 4.22 (iv) indicate emergency contacts as provided under section 171.12, subdivision 5b;​
119119 4.23 (v) indicate the applicant's race and ethnicity;​
120120 4.24 (vi) indicate caretaker information as provided under section 171.12, subdivision 5c;​
121121 4.25and​
122122 4.26 (vii) indicate a temporary mailing address separate from the applicant's residence address​
123123 4.27listed on the identification card or license; and​
124124 4.28 (6) (7) meet the requirements under section 201.161, subdivision 3.​
125125 4.29 (b) Applications must be accompanied by satisfactory evidence demonstrating:​
126126 4.30 (1) identity, date of birth, and any legal name change if applicable; and​
127127 4​Sec. 4.​
128128 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 5.1 (2) for drivers' licenses and Minnesota identification cards that meet all requirements of​
129129 5.2the REAL ID Act:​
130130 5.3 (i) principal residence address in Minnesota, including application for a change of address,​
131131 5.4unless the applicant provides a designated address under section 5B.05;​
132132 5.5 (ii) Social Security number, or related documentation as applicable; and​
133133 5.6 (iii) lawful status, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 6, section 37.3.​
134134 5.7 (c) An application for an enhanced driver's license or enhanced identification card must​
135135 5.8be accompanied by:​
136136 5.9 (1) satisfactory evidence demonstrating the applicant's full legal name and United States​
137137 5.10citizenship; and​
138138 5.11 (2) a photographic identity document.​
139139 5.12 (d) An application form must not provide for identification of (1) the accompanying​
140140 5.13documents used by an applicant to demonstrate identity, or (2) except as provided in​
141141 5.14paragraphs (b) and (c),. The application form must provide for proof of the applicant's​
142142 5.15citizenship, immigration status, or lawful presence in the United States., and the commissioner​
143143 5.16and or a driver's license agent must not inquire about an applicant's citizenship, immigration​
144144 5.17status, or lawful presence in the United States, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c).​
145145 5.18 (e) A Minnesota driver's license or identification card must be issued only to an individual​
146146 5.19who has a residence address in the state at the time of the application. Applications for an​
147147 5.20enhanced driver's license or enhanced identification card must include proof of residency​
148148 5.21in accordance with section 171.063, subdivision 6. An individual may only have one​
149149 5.22residence address where the individual is domiciled at any particular time. The residence​
150150 5.23address of the individual is presumed to continue until the contrary is shown. The applicant​
151151 5.24must provide the following information about the residence address: residence number,​
152152 5.25street name, street type, directional, city or town, state, and zip code.​
153153 5.26 (f) If an applicant designates a temporary mailing address under paragraph (a), clause​
154154 5.27(5), item (vii), the commissioner must use the temporary mailing address in lieu of the​
155155 5.28applicant's residence address for delivery of the driver's license or identification card. The​
156156 5.29commissioner must send all other correspondence to the applicant's residence address.​
157157 5.30Nothing in this paragraph or paragraph (a), clause (5) (6), item (vii), may be construed to​
158158 5.31modify or remove proof of residency requirements at the time of application for an initial​
159159 5.32driver's permit, driver's license, or identification card.​
160160 5​Sec. 4.​
161161 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 6.1 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, subdivision 8, is amended to read:​
162162 6.2 Subd. 8.Noncompliant license or identification card; residence, lawful status.(a)​
163163 6.3A person who applies for a noncompliant driver's license or identification card:​
164164 6.4 (1) must declare the applicant's residence address in Minnesota; and​
165165 6.5 (2) is not required to demonstrate United States citizenship or lawful presence in the​
166166 6.6United States.​
167167 6.7 (b) Minnesota Rules, part 7410.0410, or any successor rule, does not apply for a​
168168 6.8noncompliant driver's license or identification card.​
169169 6.9 (c) Nothing in this section allows the commissioner to issue a commercial driver's license​
170170 6.10to an applicant who does not demonstrate proof of citizenship or immigration status if​
171171 6.11required by federal law lawful presence in the United States.​
172172 6.12 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
173173 6.13 Subdivision 1.License; contents and design.(a) Upon the payment of the required fee,​
174174 6.14the department shall issue to every qualifying applicant a license designating the type or​
175175 6.15class of vehicles the applicant is authorized to drive as applied for. This license must bear:​
176176 6.16(1) a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee; (2) the licensee's full name and date​
177177 6.17of birth; (3) either (i) the licensee's residence address, or (ii) the designated address under​
178178 6.18section 5B.05; (4) a description of the licensee in a manner as the commissioner deems​
179179 6.19necessary; (5) the usual signature of the licensee; and (6) designations and markings as​
180180 6.20provided in this section. No license is valid unless it bears the usual signature of the licensee.​
181181 6.21Every license must bear a colored photograph or an electronically produced image of the​
182182 6.22licensee.​
183183 6.23 (b) If the United States Postal Service will not deliver mail to the applicant's residence​
184184 6.24address as listed on the license, then the applicant shall provide verification from the United​
185185 6.25States Postal Service that mail will not be delivered to the applicant's residence address and​
186186 6.26that mail will be delivered to a specified alternate mailing address. When an applicant​
187187 6.27provides an alternate mailing address under this subdivision, the commissioner shall use​
188188 6.28the alternate mailing address in lieu of the applicant's residence address for all notices and​
189189 6.29mailings to the applicant.​
190190 6.30 (c) Every license issued to an applicant under the age of 21 must be of a distinguishing​
191191 6.31color and plainly marked "Under-21."​
192192 6​Sec. 6.​
193193 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 7.1 (d) A license issued to an applicant age 65 or over must be plainly marked "senior" if​
194194 7.2requested by the applicant.​
195195 7.3 (e) Except for a noncompliant license, a license must bear a distinguishing indicator for​
196196 7.4compliance with requirements of the REAL ID Act.​
197197 7.5 (f) A noncompliant license must:​
198198 7.6 (1) be marked "not for federal identification" on the face and in the machine-readable​
199199 7.7portion; and​
200200 7.8 (2) have a unique design or color indicator for purposes of the REAL ID Act; and.​
201201 7.9 (3) bear no indicator or design that relates to the lawful presence or the citizenship of​
202202 7.10the license holder.​
203203 7.11 (g) A REAL ID compliant license issued to a person with temporary lawful status or​
204204 7.12admission period must be marked "temporary" on the face and in the machine-readable​
205205 7.13portion.​
206206 7.14 (h) A license must display the licensee's full name or no fewer than 39 characters of the​
207207 7.15name. Any necessary truncation must begin with the last character of the middle name and​
208208 7.16proceed through the second letter of the middle name, followed by the last character of the​
209209 7.17first name and proceeding through the second letter of the first name.​
210210 7.18 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
211211 7.19 Subd. 3.Identification card; content and design; fee.(a) Upon payment of the required​
212212 7.20fee, the department shall issue to every qualifying applicant a Minnesota identification card.​
213213 7.21The department may not issue a Minnesota identification card to an individual who has a​
214214 7.22driver's license, other than a limited license. The department may not issue an enhanced​
215215 7.23identification card to an individual who is under 16 years of age, not a resident of this state,​
216216 7.24or not a citizen of the United States of America. The card must bear: (1) a distinguishing​
217217 7.25number assigned to the applicant; (2) a colored photograph or an electronically produced​
218218 7.26image of the applicant; (3) the applicant's full name and date of birth; (4) either (i) the​
219219 7.27licensee's residence address, or (ii) the designated address under section 5B.05; (5) a​
220220 7.28description of the applicant in the manner as the commissioner deems necessary; (6) the​
221221 7.29usual signature of the applicant; and (7) designations and markings provided under this​
222222 7.30section.​
223223 7.31 (b) If the United States Postal Service will not deliver mail to the applicant's residence​
224224 7.32address as listed on the Minnesota identification card, then the applicant shall provide​
225225 7​Sec. 7.​
226226 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 8.1verification from the United States Postal Service that mail will not be delivered to the​
227227 8.2applicant's residence address and that mail will be delivered to a specified alternate mailing​
228228 8.3address. When an applicant provides an alternate mailing address under this subdivision,​
229229 8.4the commissioner shall use the alternate mailing address in lieu of the applicant's residence​
230230 8.5address for all notices and mailings to the applicant.​
231231 8.6 (c) Each identification card issued to an applicant under the age of 21 must be of a​
232232 8.7distinguishing color and plainly marked "Under-21."​
233233 8.8 (d) Each Minnesota identification card must be plainly marked "Minnesota identification​
234234 8.9card - not a driver's license."​
235235 8.10 (e) Except for a noncompliant identification card, a Minnesota identification card must​
236236 8.11bear a distinguishing indicator for compliance with requirements of the REAL ID Act.​
237237 8.12 (f) A noncompliant identification card must:​
238238 8.13 (1) be marked "not for federal identification" on the face and in the machine-readable​
239239 8.14portion; and​
240240 8.15 (2) have a unique design or color indicator for purposes of the REAL ID Act; and.​
241241 8.16 (3) bear no indicator or design that relates to the lawful presence or the citizenship of​
242242 8.17the identification card holder.​
243243 8.18 (g) A REAL ID compliant Minnesota identification card issued to a person with temporary​
244244 8.19lawful status or admission period must be marked "temporary" on the face and in the​
245245 8.20machine-readable portion.​
246246 8.21 (h) A Minnesota identification card must display the cardholder's full name or no fewer​
247247 8.22than 39 characters of the name. Any necessary truncation must begin with the last character​
248248 8.23of the middle name and proceed through the second letter of the middle name, followed by​
249249 8.24the last character of the first name and proceeding through the second letter of the first name.​
250250 8.25 (i) The fee for a Minnesota identification card is 50 cents when issued to a person who​
251251 8.26is developmentally disabled, as defined in section 252A.02, subdivision 2; a physically​
252252 8.27disabled person, as defined in section 169.345, subdivision 2; or, a person with mental​
253253 8.28illness, as described in section 245.462, subdivision 20, paragraph (c).​
254254 8.29 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.12, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:​
255255 8.30 Subd. 7a.Disclosure of personal information.(a) Subject to subdivision 11, the​
256256 8.31commissioner must disclose personal information where the use is related to the operation​
257257 8.32of a motor vehicle or to public safety. The use of personal information is related to public​
258258 8​Sec. 8.​
259259 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 9.1safety if it concerns the physical safety or security of drivers, vehicles, pedestrians, or​
260260 9.2property. The commissioner may refuse to disclose data under this subdivision when the​
261261 9.3commissioner concludes that the requester is likely to use the data for illegal, improper, or​
262262 9.4noninvestigative purposes.​
263263 9.5 (b) The commissioner must disclose personal information to the secretary of state for​
264264 9.6the purpose of increasing voter registration and improving the accuracy of voter registration​
265265 9.7records in the statewide voter registration system. The secretary of state may not retain data​
266266 9.8provided by the commissioner under this subdivision for more than 60 days and may not​
267267 9.9share or disseminate any data on individuals who have applied for or been issued a​
268268 9.10noncompliant driver's license or identification card except for the purpose of administering​
269269 9.11elections or as permitted in section 201.13, subdivision 3, paragraph (d).​
270270 9.12 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.12, subdivision 11, is amended to read:​
271271 9.13 Subd. 11.Certain data on noncompliant license or identification card; department​
272272 9.14and agents.(a) For purposes of this section, "immigration status data" means data on​
273273 9.15individuals who have applied for or been issued a noncompliant driver's license or​
274274 9.16identification card and that indicate or otherwise have the effect of identifying (1) whether​
275275 9.17the individual has demonstrated United States citizenship, or (2) whether the individual has​
276276 9.18demonstrated lawful presence in the United States. Immigration status data include but are​
277277 9.19not limited to any documents specified under section 171.062; immigration status data​
278278 9.20contained in those documents; or the applicant's submission of the documents.​
279279 9.21 (b) Immigration status data are classified as private data on individuals, as defined in​
280280 9.22section 13.02, subdivision 12. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner​
281281 9.23or a driver's license agent must not share or disseminate immigration status data except to​
282282 9.24or within the division of the department that administers driver licensing and to the secretary​
283283 9.25of state for purposes of improving the accuracy of voter registration records under subdivision​
284284 9.267a.​
285285 9.27 (c) As authorized or required by state or federal law, the commissioner or a driver's​
286286 9.28license agent may share or disseminate data on individuals who have applied for or been​
287287 9.29issued a noncompliant driver's license or identification card that are not immigration status​
288288 9.30data to a government entity, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 7a, or to a federal​
289289 9.31government entity that does not enforce immigration law, provided that the receiving entity​
290290 9.32must not use the data for civil immigration enforcement purposes or further disclose the​
291291 9.33data to a state or federal government entity that primarily enforces immigration law or to​
292292 9.34any employee or agent of any such government entity.​
293293 9​Sec. 9.​
294294 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​ 10.1 (d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner or a driver's license agent​
295295 10.2must not may share or disseminate any data on individuals who have applied for or been​
296296 10.3issued a noncompliant driver's license or identification card to any federal government entity​
297297 10.4that primarily enforces immigration law, except pursuant to a valid search warrant or court​
298298 10.5order issued by a state or federal judge.​
299299 10.6 (e) Violation of this subdivision by the commissioner, a driver's license agent, a​
300300 10.7government entity, or an employee or agent thereof constitutes a violation of the Minnesota​
301301 10.8Government Data Practices Act and may be subject to penalties and remedies applicable​
302302 10.9under that chapter.​
303303 10.10Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.1205, is amended to read:​
304304 10.11 171.1205 RESTRICTIONS ON USE.​
305305 10.12 A state agency or a political subdivision must not use the possession of a noncompliant​
306306 10.13driver's license or identification card as (1) evidence of a person's citizenship or lawful​
307307 10.14presence in the United States, or (2) the primary basis for investigation, detention, or arrest.​
308308 10.15Sec. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.​
309309 10.16 This act is effective October 1, 2025, for driver's license and Minnesota identification​
310310 10.17card applications and issuance on or after that date.​
311311 10​Sec. 11.​
312312 REVISOR KRB/NS 25-02315​01/29/25 ​