ST. PAUL — Some of the laws passed in the Minnesota Legislature in the last session went into effect on Aug. 1.
One that was passed with near-unanimous support creates more stringent requirements for repeat driving-while-intoxicated offenders.
The bill expands the state’s ignition interlock program — a device like a breathalyzer that won’t allow a vehicle to start until the driver has proven they’re not impaired.
The legislation was inspired by a 2024 incident in which a drunk driver, with several prior DWI convictions, killed two people on a restaurant patio and injured several others in St. Louis Park.
As of Aug. 1, consequences for DWIs will get tougher, extending the "lookback period" for prior DWIs from 10 to 20 years. Anyone who gets a DWI with a prior one in the last 20 years will have to use an interlock device for 2 years.
The penalties get stricter for repeat offenders; with two new DWIs requiring 6 years of interlock, and offenders with three new DWIs will have to use the interlock for 10 years.
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St. Louis County spring wildfires cause $2.3M in damage; MN's DWI penalties get tougher with new lawPlus: the administrative trial is underway on whether Northern Township will become a city or Bemidji's boundaries will include land around Lake Bemidji; and a new study by the University of Minnesota indicates the surf from wakeboats can cause ecological harm in depths less than 20 feet. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe Crow Wing County Fair continues through Sunday, Aug. 2. -
Dani Fraher/KAXEThe vast majority of the damage was caused by the Camp House Fire, according to St. Louis County. Over 200 structures were damaged, 16 of which were homes. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe trial on whether the city broadens its boundary around the lake or Northern Township becomes a city will take months, as both seek to install municipal services around Lake Bemidji. -
Contributed/Tony Webster via FlickrThe Public Utilities Commission, which must approve the sale, is taking comment on a judge's recommendation to block the sale and a settlement between the investors and the Department of Commerce. -
And: Sen. Tina Smith has two bills in the first major housing legislation package in 17 years; and filings open for November elections.
