Minnesota Senate Bill SF3118

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/1/25
• Refer: 4/1/25

Caption

Tracking devices use for fleeing motor vehicles expanded use authorization

Summary

SF3118 amends Minnesota’s tracking-device law to create a specific exception for fleeing motor vehicles. Under current law, the prohibition in Minnesota Statutes section 626A.35 on using a mobile tracking device would not apply when law enforcement uses such a device on a vehicle that is fleeing. The bill defines “flee” by reference to the state’s fleeing-a-police-officer statute, tying the exception to an established criminal offense. The bill is effective August 1, 2025, and applies only to crimes committed on or after that date. In practical terms, it would give law enforcement an additional investigative tool in pursuit situations by allowing tracking devices to be used without violating the general statutory restriction on mobile tracking devices. It amends the state’s public safety and electronic surveillance laws, specifically Minnesota Statutes section 626A.35.

Impact

This bill narrows the existing prohibition on mobile tracking devices by adding a law-enforcement exception for fleeing motor vehicles. It affects Minnesota Statutes section 626A.35, which governs the use of tracking devices, and incorporates the definition of “flee” from section 609.487. The change would permit police to use tracking technology in a defined subset of high-risk vehicle pursuits, potentially affecting criminal investigations, pursuit tactics, and privacy protections for vehicle occupants and owners.

Sentiment

The available record shows a generally supportive or at least straightforward public-safety-oriented posture, with the bill introduced by Senators Jasinski and Pratt and referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. No committee transcript or recorded votes are provided, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or amendment debate in the materials supplied. The caption and text suggest the bill is framed as a targeted public safety measure rather than a broad surveillance expansion.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the balance between law enforcement utility and privacy/civil-liberties concerns. Supporters would likely emphasize the need to track fleeing vehicles to improve officer and public safety and aid apprehension, while critics could argue that expanding tracking-device authority increases surveillance and may be susceptible to misuse. Because the bill creates a categorical exception tied to fleeing vehicles, any debate would likely focus on how narrowly “fleeing” is defined and whether the exception is sufficiently limited to emergency situations.