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House passes bill to stiffen penalties for repeat unlicensed drivers
Summary
House File 341, sponsored by Rep. Heintzeman, passed on third reading with an amendment that narrows a definition of bodily harm. The sponsor framed the bill as closing a gap that treated repeated unlicensed driving too lightly after a crash left a woman in a vegetative state; the clerk recorded 120 ayes and 14 nays.
Saint Paul — The Minnesota House on April 2, 2025, passed House File 341 on third reading, a public-safety measure aimed at tougher penalties for repeat unlicensed drivers.
Representative Heintzeman, the bill’s sponsor, opened floor debate by describing a 2015 crash that left a woman named Macy in a vegetative state and said the alleged offender had been repeatedly caught driving without a license. "Why aren't we imposing harsher consequences on those that would blatantly and repeatedly disregard Minnesota's law and put others at risk?" Heintzeman asked on the floor.
A technical amendment (A3) offered at the desk — which sponsors said clarifies the bill’s definition of "great bodily harm" to avoid an unintended coverage gap — was presented by Heintzeman and supported by Chair Moller, who described it as closing a loophole. The amendment was adopted.
After debate and adoption of the amendment, the clerk announced the roll call result: "There being 120 ayes, 14 nays. The bill is passed as amended and its title is agreed to." The transcript shows Heintzeman requested recognition of family members in the gallery and closed by urging members’ support.
Why it matters: sponsors said the bill would close a perceived statutory gap that resulted in relatively light treatment of repeat unlicensed drivers even when outcomes have been catastrophic.
Votes at a glance: House File 341 passed as amended; floor amendment A3 adopted.
