This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.24, to enhance penalties and establish minimum fines for repeat violations of driving without a valid license. It introduces new provisions that classify certain violations as gross misdemeanors, particularly for individuals who have prior convictions and cause significant harm or death while driving without a valid license. The bill specifies that a person can be charged with a gross misdemeanor if they violate the law within ten years of two prior convictions, or if their driving privilege has been suspended, revoked, or canceled due to specific offenses.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the responsibilities for prosecuting both misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor violations, ensuring that the same authority handles both types of offenses. It also updates the sufficiency of notice regarding revocation, suspension, cancellation, or disqualification of a driver's license, stating that notice is adequate if served personally or mailed to the last known address. The deletion of "of Public Safety" from the notice requirement further streamlines the language. The new provisions will take effect on August 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 171.24