Minnesota House passes DWI interlock changes, AED signage law and state government finance bill amid heated floor debate

The Minnesota House on May 2 passed several high-profile measures, including a bill that expands ignition-interlock requirements for repeat drunken-driving offenders, a bipartisan bill authorizing standardized roadside signage for publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and the chamber’s 2025 state government finance bill following extended debate and multiple amendments.

Representative Richard Kraft, the bill’s author, told the chamber the driving changes followed a deadly crash in Saint Louis Park and said the legislation “ramps the time repeat offenders are required to be on interlock much more aggressively” and extends the period for counting prior offenses in some cases. Kraft described the 09/01/2024 crash that killed a Park Tavern server and another person and left several injured; he noted the driver had multiple prior DWI convictions.

Why it matters: The DWI measure tightens penalties and expands ignition-interlock use in an effort to reduce repeat impaired-driving incidents. Supporters cited federal and public-health research showing interlocks cut repeat offenses while installed and argued the bill removes barriers that have discouraged eligible drivers from enrolling.

What the bills do (high-level): - DWI/interlock bill (House file discussed on the floor): increases interlock durations for repeat offenders, raises the look-back window for some prior offenses, reduces certain barriers to enrolling in interlock programs and classifies driving without a required interlock as a more serious offense in targeted situations. The author said…