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SF 4937

Identification of a lifetime permit to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle provision on drivers' licenses and Minnesota identification cards

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Dahms and 1 co-sponsor

The bill creates lifetime permits to discharge from a stationary vehicle for certain disabled hunters and flags these permits on driver licenses/IDs.

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Bill Summary · SF 4937

Summary of SF 4937 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose and Intent

SF 4937 would create a system to identify and indicate on Minnesota drivers’ licenses and state ID cards when a person holds a lifetime permit to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle. The bill also clarifies and expands the existing framework for special hunting-from-vehicle permits for certain disabled hunters, including the possibility of a lifetime permit in limited cases. The primary aim is to ensure that authorities and the public can quickly recognize individuals who are authorized to discharge from a stationary vehicle for hunting or related activities.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Special permit for disabled hunters (existing framework with lifetime option)

  • Adds a pathway for a special permit to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor vehicle for disabled hunters.
  • Eligibility criteria (subdivision 3, new/modified):
    • The applicant must have a permanent physical disability more substantial than walking difficulty.
    • Disabilities may be evidenced by medical documentation from a licensed physician, chiropractor, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed physician assistant.
    • The applicant must also possess a valid disability parking certificate (169.345) or license plates (168.021).
  • For eligibility determination, the commissioner may request additional medical information and may set reasonable minimum standards for permits in consultation with advocacy groups.
  • Deer-hunting provisions:
    • Permit holder may take a deer of either sex, subject to applicable antlerless restrictions.
  • Permit validity:
    • Standard duration: 5 years.
    • The commissioner may suspend, modify, deny, or revoke for cause (including violations of game and fish laws).
    • Misrepresentation or fraudulent medical certification is a misdemeanor.
  • Lifetime permit option (subsection g):
    • The commissioner may issue a lifetime permit if there is no likelihood the applicant would become ineligible.
    • If a lifetime permit is issued, the commissioner must notify the Department of Public Safety when suspensions or revocations occur to ensure license/ID card indications reflect the status.
  • Effective date: June 1, 2027.

Section 2 – Lifetime permit identification on licenses and IDs

  • Adds a new subdivision (Subd. 21) to Minnesota Statutes 2024, §171.07.
  • Department of Public Safety must maintain electronic records from the Department of Natural Resources identifying each person issued a lifetime permit under §97B.055, subd. 3, lp(g).
    • Records must include full name and date of birth as required for driver’s licenses or Minnesota IDs.
    • Records not matched to a current license/ID may be deleted after seven years.
  • Upon receiving notification that a lifetime permit has been issued, the Department of Public Safety must place a graphic or written indication on all driver’s licenses or Minnesota IDs issued to that person, indicating the lifetime permit status, unless notified that the permit has been suspended or revoked.
  • If an individual applies for a license/ID before record transmission, the department may accept a copy of the permit as proof of issuance and follow the same procedures after transmission.
  • Effective date: June 1, 2027.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Individuals holding or seeking a special permit to discharge from a stationary vehicle (including certain disabled hunters) may experience:
    • Clarified eligibility and certification processes.
    • Potentially longer-term permit options (5-year or lifetime).
    • Official designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs if a lifetime permit is issued.
  • Law enforcement, licensing agencies (Department of Public Safety), and the Department of Natural Resources:
    • Will coordinate records transfers and maintain up-to-date indicators on licenses/IDs.
    • Must ensure proper handling of suspensions, revocations, and disclosures when lifetime permits are active.
  • General public and hunting communities:
    • The presence of a lifetime permit indicator on licenses/IDs would inform others about authorized activities from stationary vehicles, potentially affecting perceptions of safety and enforcement.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Effective date for the new provisions: June 1, 2027.
  • Section 1 governs the creation, eligibility, duration, and enforcement of a disabled-hunter permit for discharging from a stationary vehicle, including the possibility of a lifetime permit.
  • Section 2 requires the DPS to maintain and attach lifetime-permit indicators to licenses/IDs and to coordinate with the DNR to verify and update records, with a seven-year data-deletion window for unmatched records.
  • Enforcement and penalties:
    • Misuse or false certification is a misdemeanor.
    • The commissioner may suspend, modify, deny, or revoke permits for cause.

Practical Considerations

  • The bill seeks to balance hunting accessibility for disabled individuals with safety considerations by explicitly tying permit status to license/ID indicators.
  • The lifetime-permit pathway introduces a potential lifelong designation contingent on ongoing eligibility and administrative oversight.
  • Implementation relies on inter-agency data sharing between the DNR and DPS and requires updates to both license/ID designations and record-keeping practices.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language quick summary or a side-by-side comparison with current law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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