Identification of a lifetime permit to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle on drivers' licenses and Minnesota identification cards provided.

A bill for an act

relating to transportation; providing for identification of a lifetime permit to

discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle on drivers'

licenses and Minnesota identification cards; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,

sections 97B.055, subdivision 3; 171.07, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.055, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Hunting from vehicle by disabled hunters.

(a) The commissioner may issue

a special permit, without a fee, to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary

motor vehicle to a person who obtains the required licenses and who has a permanent

physical disability that is more substantial than discomfort from walking. The permit recipient

must be:

(1) unable to step from a vehicle without aid of a wheelchair, crutches, braces, or other

mechanical support or prosthetic device; or

(2) unable to walk any distance because of a permanent lung, heart, or other internal

disease that requires the person to use supplemental oxygen to assist breathing.

(b) The permanent physical disability must be established by medical evidence verified

in writing by a licensed physician, chiropractor, advanced practice registered nurse, or

licensed physician assistant. The commissioner may request additional information from

the physician, chiropractor, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant if

needed to verify the applicant's eligibility for the permit. Notwithstanding section
97A.418
,

the commissioner may, in consultation with appropriate advocacy groups, establish reasonable

minimum standards for permits to be issued under this section. In addition to providing the

medical evidence of a permanent disability, the applicant must possess a valid disability

parking certificate authorized by section
169.345
or license plates issued under section

168.021
.

(c) A person issued a special permit under this subdivision and hunting deer may take

a deer of either sex, except in those antlerless permit areas and seasons where no antlerless

permits are offered. This subdivision does not authorize another member of a party to take

an antlerless deer under section
97B.301, subdivision 3
.

(d) A permit issued under this subdivision is valid for five years.

(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under this

section for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.

(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making a

false application for a permit under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. A licensed

physician, licensed advanced practice registered nurse, licensed physician assistant, or

licensed chiropractor who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner that a person is

permanently disabled as described in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the commissioner may issue a permit valid for the

entire life of the applicant if the commissioner determines that there is no chance that an

applicant will become ineligible for a permit under this section and the applicant requests

a lifetime permit.
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The commissioner must notify the commissioner of public safety if a

lifetime permit is suspended or revoked under paragraph (e) for purposes of issuing drivers'

licenses or Minnesota identification cards with indications under section 171.07, subdivision

21.
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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective June 1, 2027.

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Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, is amended by adding a subdivision to

read:

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Subd. 21.

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Lifetime permit to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary

motor vehicle.

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(a) The department must maintain in its records information transmitted

electronically from the commissioner of natural resources identifying each person who has

been issued a lifetime permit to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary

motor vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3, paragraph (g). The records transmitted

from the commissioner of natural resources must contain the full name and date of birth as

required for the driver's license or Minnesota identification card. Records that are not matched

to a driver's license or Minnesota identification card record may be deleted after seven years.

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(b) After receiving information under paragraph (a) that a person has received a lifetime

permit to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle, the

department must include, on all drivers' licenses or Minnesota identification cards

subsequently issued to the person, a graphic or written indication that the person has received

the permit unless the department has been notified that the permit has been suspended or

revoked under section 97B.055, subdivision 3, paragraph (e).

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(c) If a person who has received a lifetime permit applies for a driver's license or

Minnesota identification card before that information has been transmitted to the department,

the department may accept a copy of the permit as proof of its issuance and must then follow

the procedures in paragraph (b).

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective June 1, 2027.

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