The Minnesota Senate today passed the Transportation budget bill with unanimous support, which focuses on funding the core needs of transportation throughout the state, with an emphasis on providing safer travel, and improvements to our roads and bridges. Specifically included in the bill is language authored by Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) that would make traffic violations resulting in serious injuries and/or death a misdemeanor, rather than a petty misdemeanor. This change would ensure the violation receives a court hearing.

This bill was introduced in response to a tragic accident that happened in 2016. Patrick and Ginger Larson lost their daughter Brooklyn in a car accident that occurred along Highway 12 in Chisago County. An SUV ran a stop sign and broadsided the Larson’s car. After traffic accidents occur, deputies are tasked with filling out paperwork describing the accident. On the sheet is a box that must be checked if the accident endangered life and property. In the Larson’s case, the deputy did not mark that box. As a result, the driver only received a $135 citation for running a stop sign, and the family was unable to have a court hearing to provide an impact statement.

“The current process completely failed the Larson family, and it’s truly heartbreaking that they suffered such a tragic and unimaginable loss and were then robbed of having a court hearing to give a victim impact statement,” said Sen. Housley. “I’m glad this important language was included in today’s Transportation bill because what happened to the Larson’s should never happen to another family. It is my hope that this language will finally ensure that careless drivers are held accountable for their life-altering actions!”

The Transportation Omnibus budget bill passed in the Senate, and now heads to the Governor’s desk for a final signature.