We’ve covered the proposed new bike laws for Minnesota that would add stricter penalties for motorists who injure cyclists and pedestrians while distracted or committing moving violations, HF 68 and SF 201. These laws were also discussed extensively as part of the 2011 Minnesota Bicycle Summit.
Current status of the bills proposed are as follows:
- HF 68, which provides for careless driving resulting in death to be a gross misdemeanor, was heard in the House Judiciary Committee on February 10, and laid over for further consideration at a later date. It was previously heard January 26 in the Judiciary Policy & Finance Committee. Minutes and audio of these hearings is available online.
- SF 201, which also provides for careless driving resulting in death to be a gross misdemeanor, was last discussed in the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee on March 1, where it was “laid on the table.” This means consideration of the bill was indefinitely postponed. Audio, video and minutes of that hearing is available online.
No full-body vote on these bills is set to happen anytime soon. Neither is dead, but focus at the legislature is presently on other issues.
