Traffic safety camera system pilot program modified and made permanent.

A bill for an act

relating to transportation; modifying and making permanent the traffic safety

camera system pilot program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 169.06,

subdivisions 10, 11; 169.14, subdivisions 13, 14; 169.147, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 9,

10, 14; 171.12, subdivision 6a; Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, sections 62;

113; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 19.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.06, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Red light camera; penalty.

(a) Subject to subdivision 11, if a motor vehicle

is operated in violation of a traffic-control signal and the violation is identified through the

use of a red light camera system implemented under section
169.147
, the owner of the

vehicle or the lessee of the vehicle is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and must pay a fine of

$40.

(b) A person who commits a first offense under paragraph (a) must be given a warning

and is not subject to a fine or conviction under paragraph (a). A person who commits a

second offense under paragraph (a) is eligible for diversion, which must include a traffic

safety course established under section
169.147, subdivision 11
. A person who enters

diversion and completes the traffic safety course is not subject to a fine or conviction under

paragraph (a).

(c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to:

(1) a violation that occurs in a commercial motor vehicle; or

(2) a violation committed by a holder of a class A, B, or C commercial driver's license

or commercial driver learner's permit, without regard to whether the violation was committed

in a commercial motor vehicle or another vehicle.

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(d) This subdivision applies to violations committed on or after August 1, 2025, and

before August 1, 2029.

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Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.06, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Red light camera; limitations.

(a) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle is

not subject to a fine or conviction under subdivision 10 if any of the conditions under section

169.14, subdivision 14
, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (7), are met.

(b) The owner or lessee of a motor vehicle may not be issued a citation under subdivision

10 and under another subdivision in this section for the same conduct.

(c) A fine or conviction under subdivision 10 does not constitute grounds for revocation

or suspension of a person's driver's license.

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(d) Except as provided in subdivision 10, paragraph (c), this subdivision applies to

violations committed on or after August 1, 2025, and before August 1, 2029.

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Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.14, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Speed safety camera; penalty.

(a) Subject to subdivision 14, if a motor

vehicle is operated in violation of a speed limit and the violation is identified through the

use of a speed safety camera system implemented under section
169.147
, the owner of the

vehicle or the lessee of the vehicle is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and must pay a fine of:

(1) $40; or

(2) $80, if the violation is for a speed at least 20 miles per hour in excess of the speed

limit.

(b) A person who commits a first offense under paragraph (a) must be given a warning

and is not subject to a fine or conviction under paragraph (a). A person who commits a

second offense under paragraph (a) is eligible for diversion, which must include a traffic

safety course established under section
169.147, subdivision 11
. A person who enters

diversion and completes the traffic safety course is not subject to a fine or conviction under

paragraph (a).

(c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to:

(1) a violation that occurs in a commercial motor vehicle; or

(2) a violation committed by a holder of a class A, B, or C commercial driver's license

or commercial driver learner's permit, without regard to whether the violation was committed

in a commercial motor vehicle or another vehicle.

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(d) This subdivision applies to violations committed on or after August 1, 2025, and

before August 1, 2029.

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Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.14, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Speed safety camera; limitations.

(a) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle

is not subject to a fine or conviction under subdivision 13 if:

(1) the vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation;

(2) a transfer of interest in the vehicle in compliance with section
168A.10
was made

before the time of the violation;

(3) the vehicle owner is a lessor of the motor vehicle, and the lessor identifies the name

and address of the lessee;

(4) the vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle operated in the performance of official

duties at the time of the violation;

(5) another person is convicted, within the meaning under section
171.01, subdivision

29, for the same violation;

(6) the vehicle owner provides a sworn statement to the court or prosecuting authority

that the owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; or

(7) the vehicle owner provides a sworn statement to the court or prosecuting authority

that the owner was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation under the circumstances

of a medical emergency for either the driver or a passenger in the vehicle.

(b) The owner or lessee of a motor vehicle may not be issued a citation under subdivision

13 and under another subdivision in this section for the same conduct.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision 13, paragraph (c), a fine or conviction under

subdivision 13 does not constitute grounds for revocation or suspension of a person's driver's

license.

(d) A vehicle owner asserting a defense under paragraph (a), clause (7), must provide

an accompanying sworn statement from the physician responsible for treatment of the

underlying condition or emergency that necessitated medical attention.

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(e) This subdivision applies to violations committed on or after August 1, 2025, and

before August 1, 2029.

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Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have

the meanings given.

(b) "Camera-based traffic enforcement" means enforcement of traffic control through

the use of a red light camera system, speed limits through the use of a speed safety camera

system, or both.

(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation.

(d) "Commissioners" means the commissioner of transportation as the lead in coordination

with the commissioner of public safety.

(e) "Implementing authority" means either:

(1) the commissioners with respect to trunk highways for the work zone pilot
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program
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project
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provided under subdivision 17; or

(2) a local authority
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specified in paragraph (f)
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that implements the traffic safety camera

system
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pilot
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program.

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(f) "Local authority" means either the city of Minneapolis or the city of Mendota Heights,

which are authorized to conduct the pilot program.

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(g)
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(f)
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"Monitoring site" means a location at which a traffic safety camera system is

placed and operated under this section.

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(h)
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(g)
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"
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Pilot
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Program" means the traffic safety camera
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pilot
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program established in this

section.

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(i)
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(h)
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"Traffic enforcement agent" means a licensed peace officer or an employee of a

local authority who is designated as provided in this section.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

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Pilot
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Program establishment.

(a) In conformance with this section, the

commissioner of transportation, in coordination with the commissioner of public safety,

must establish a traffic safety camera
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pilot
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program that provides for education and

enforcement of speeding violations, traffic-control signal violations, or both in conjunction

with use of traffic safety camera systems.

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(b) The authority for camera-based traffic enforcement under the pilot program is limited

to August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2029.

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(c)
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(b)
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Only the following may implement camera-based traffic enforcement under the
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pilot
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program:

(1) the commissioners, as provided under
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paragraph (d)
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subdivision 17
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;
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and
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(2)
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a county, a statutory or home rule charter city,
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the city of Minneapolis
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, as provided

under
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subject to
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paragraph
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(e); and
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(c), or a town.
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(3) the city of Mendota Heights.

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(d) Under the pilot program, the commissioners must, beginning August 1, 2025,

commence enforcement of speeding violations in trunk highway work zones as specified

under subdivision 17.

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(e)
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(c)
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The city of Minneapolis is prohibited from implementing the
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pilot
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program or

camera-based traffic enforcement through or in substantive coordination with the city's

police department.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Public engagement and notice.

(a) The commissioner and each implementing

authority must maintain information on their respective websites that, at a minimum:

(1) summarizes implementation of traffic safety camera systems under the
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pilot
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program;

(2) provides each camera system impact study performed by the implementing authority

under subdivision 6, paragraph (b);

(3) provides information and procedures for a person to contest a citation under the
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pilot
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program; and

(4) identifies the enforcement locations under the
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pilot
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program.

(b) An implementing authority must:

(1) implement a general public engagement and information campaign prior to

commencing camera-based speed enforcement under the
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pilot
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program;

(2) perform public engagement as part of conducting a camera system impact study

under subdivision 6, paragraph (b); and

(3) place conspicuous signage prior to the motorist's arrival at each monitoring site,

which must:

(i) notify motor vehicle operators of the use of a traffic safety camera system to detect

violations; and

(ii) if a speed safety camera is in use, identify the speed limit.

(c) Public engagement under paragraph (b) must include but is not limited to:

(1) outreach to populations that are traditionally underrepresented in public policy or

planning processes;

(2) consolidation and analysis of public feedback; and

(3) creation of an engagement summary that identifies public feedback and the resulting

impacts on implementation of camera-based traffic enforcement.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Citations; warnings.

(a) A traffic enforcement agent under the
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pilot
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program

has the exclusive authority to issue a citation to the owner or lessee of a motor vehicle for

(1) a violation under section
169.06, subdivision 10
, and (2) a violation under section
169.14
,

subdivision 13.

(b) A traffic enforcement agent may only issue a citation if:

(1) the violation is committed at least 30 days after the relevant implementing authority

has commenced camera-based traffic enforcement;

(2) with respect to speed limits, the speeding violation is at least ten miles per hour in

excess of the speed limit; and

(3) a traffic enforcement agent has inspected and verified recorded images provided by

the traffic safety camera system.

(c) An implementing authority must provide a warning for a traffic-control signal

violation under section
169.06, subdivision 10
, or a speeding violation under section
169.14
,

subdivision 13, for the period from (1) the date when camera-based traffic enforcement is

first commenced, to (2) the date when citations are authorized under paragraph (b), clause

(1).

(d) Notwithstanding section
169.022
, an implementing authority may specify a speed

in excess of the speed limit that is higher than the amount specified in paragraph (b), clause

(2), at which to proceed with issuance of a citation.

(e) A citation may be issued through the United States mail if postmarked within: (1)

14 days of the violation for a vehicle registered in Minnesota; or (2) 30 days of the violation

for a vehicle registered outside of Minnesota. Section
168.346, subdivision 2
, applies to a

private entity that provides citation mailing services under this section.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Uniform citation.

(a) There must be a uniform traffic safety camera citation

issued throughout the state by a traffic enforcement agent for a violation as provided under

this section. The uniform traffic safety camera citation is in the form and has the effect of

a summons and complaint.

(b) The commissioner of public safety must prescribe the detailed form of the uniform

traffic safety camera citation. As appropriate, the citation design must conform with the

requirements for a uniform traffic ticket under section
169.99, subdivisions 1
and 1d. The

citation design must include:

(1) a brief overview of the
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pilot
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program and implementation of traffic safety camera

systems;

(2) a summary of the circumstances of the citation that includes identification of the

motor vehicle involved, the date and time of the violation, and the location where the

violation occurred;

(3) copy of the recorded image or primary images used to identify a violation;

(4) a notification that the recorded images under clause (3) are evidence of a violation

under section
169.06, subdivision 10
, or
169.14, subdivision 13
;

(5) a statement signed by the traffic enforcement agent who issued the citation stating

that the agent has inspected the recorded images and determined that the violation occurred

in the specified motor vehicle;

(6) a summary of the limitations under sections
169.06, subdivision 11
, and
169.14
,

subdivision 14;

(7) notification that an owner is ineligible for diversion if the violation was committed

by a holder of a class A, B, or C commercial driver's license or commercial driver learner's

permit, without regard to whether the violation was committed in a commercial motor

vehicle or another vehicle;

(8) information on the diversion and traffic safety course eligibility and requirements

under sections
169.06, subdivision 10
, paragraph (b), and
169.14, subdivision 13
, paragraph

(b);

(9) the total amount of the fine imposed;

(10) a notification that the person has the right to contest the citation;

(11) information on the process and procedures for a person to contest the citation; and

(12) a statement that payment of the fine constitutes a plea of guilty and failure to appear

in court is considered a plea of guilty, as provided under section
169.91
.

(c) The commissioner of public safety must make the information required under

paragraph (b) available in languages that are commonly spoken in the state and in each area

in which a local authority has implemented camera-based traffic enforcement.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Data practices; general requirements.

(a) All data collected by a traffic

safety camera system are private data on individuals as defined in section
13.02, subdivision

12, or nonpublic data as defined in section
13.02, subdivision 9
, unless the data are public

under section
13.82, subdivision 2
, 3, or 6, or are criminal investigative data under section

13.82, subdivision 7
.

(b) An agreement with a private entity and an implementing authority pursuant to

subdivision 12 is subject to section
13.05, subdivisions 6
and 11.

(c) A private entity must use the data gathered under this section only for purposes of

camera-based traffic enforcement under the
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pilot
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program and must not share or disseminate

the data with an entity other than the appropriate implementing authority, except pursuant

to a court order. Nothing in this subdivision prevents a private entity from sharing or

disseminating summary data, as defined in section
13.02, subdivision 19
.

(d) Traffic safety camera system data are not subject to subpoena, discovery, or admission

into evidence in any prosecution, civil action, or administrative process that is not taken

pursuant to section
169.06, subdivision 10
, or
169.14, subdivision 13
.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.12, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a.

Driving record; traffic safety camera system.

(a) Except as provided in

paragraph (b), the commissioner must not record on an individual's driving record any

violation of:

(1) a traffic-control signal under section
169.06, subdivision 10
; or

(2) a speed limit under section
169.14, subdivision 13
.

(b) This subdivision does not apply to:

(1) a violation that occurs in a commercial motor vehicle; or

(2) a violation committed by a holder of a class A, B, or C commercial driver's license

or commercial driver learner's permit, without regard to whether the violation was committed

in a commercial motor vehicle or another vehicle.

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(c) This subdivision applies to violations committed on or after August 1, 2025, and

before August 1, 2029.

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Sec. 12.

Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 62, the effective date, is amended to

read:

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2025
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, and expires August 1,

2029
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.

Sec. 13.

Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 113, the effective date, is amended to

read:

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2025
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, and expires August 1,

2029
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.

Sec. 14.
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REPEALER.
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Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.147, subdivision 19,

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is repealed.

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APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 26-06731

169.147 TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMERA SYSTEM PILOT PROGRAM.

Subd. 19.

Expiration.

This section expires July 31, 2029.