This past week the Senate took up and voted on many bills. These bills ranged anywhere from allowing tenants to hang a United States flag to dealing with instruction for permit/driver’s licenses post-conviction. Other bills included adding certain colors to a school’s safety patrol equipment. Bill SF 2851 The bill SF 2851 was discussed and passed Monday, April 19, on the Senate floor. This bill prohibits the issuance of an instruction permit to an individual under the age of 18 who has been convicted of a crash-related moving violation involving impairment, underage drinking and driving, open bottle or implied consent. It also prohibits issuance of a provisional license to someone under 18 who, at a time when the person did not hold an instruction permit, was convicted of a crash-related moving violation or any others previously listed. Essentially, this bill would require an individual under the age of 16 and without a permit or license to wait until they are 18 to drive if they have been found guilty of one of the aforementioned violations. Safety patrol colors A bill to allow school safety patrol equipment to expand their colors to now include fluorescent yellow and fluorescent yellow-green for their equipment also passed the Senate floor on Monday. The new colors are in addition to the customary blaze-orange already in statute and rule, which is regulated by the Department of Public Safety. Tenants’ right to display flag Thursday’s floor session brought about discussion on a number of other bills also. The Senate took up and passed a bill to provide rights of an owner or tenant of residential property to display a Minnesota and/or United States flag. The bill does not prohibit limitations narrowly tailored to protect health or safety. It also does not prohibit reasonable limitations that restrict the size of a flag to a size customarily used on residential property, and the installation of a flag to a portion of the property to which the person who displays the flag has exclusive rights. This bill was brought forth by tenants of condominiums and townhomes, who are generally prohibited from displaying the United States flag and showing their patriotism. This bill helps to ensure their right to do so. As always, I welcome your comments and concerns. I can be reached at my contact information printed above.
