Senate hearing on automatic license suspension for criminal vehicular cases highlights family stories; bill laid over

Senate File 1373, sponsored by Senator Mark Limmer, would broaden existing procedures that allow the Commissioner of Public Safety to suspend driving privileges based on a peace officer’s certification of probable cause in certain vehicular crimes.

Limmer told the Judiciary Committee the bill would close what he called a loophole that allowed drivers who had caused severe harm to remain on the road while a case proceeded. "We would close this loophole by requiring automatic suspension for all criminal vehicular homicide or operation cases," Limmer said. He introduced two family members affected by crashes as witnesses.

Mark Rowe described the May 2022 crash that killed his mother‑in‑law, saying the driver who struck her had a revoked license and a long history of speed and suspension citations. "Drivers like this don't belong on our roads," Rowe told the committee. Matt Whelan, another family member, recounted frustration with the duration of the charge and sentencing process and said the bill would help keep dangerous drivers off the road pending trial.

Senate counsel reviewed statutory mechanics: current law requires certification and suspension only when impairment by alcohol or drugs is involved; SF 1373 would strike those limiting clauses so the certification and suspension would apply to all criminal vehicular operation (CVO) and criminal vehicular homicide (CVH) allegations where a peace officer finds probable cause. The committee discussed the limits of pretrial suspension as a deterrent, noting some suspended drivers continue to drive illicitly, and technical aspects of causation for defective‑maintenance clauses.

The committee laid SF 1373 on the table to gather further input and any necessary coordination with the Transportation Committee.