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3) Does this new law preclude city administrative citations for non -traffic offenses? <br />The new law does not preclude the use of administrative citations for non -traffic offenses. Cities may <br />still issue administrative citations pursuant to local ordinance for non -traffic matters such as liquor <br />licensing ordinance violations, nuisance and animal ordinance violations, etc. However, the new law <br />specifically lists out the traffic offenses under Minn. Stat., ch. 169 for which an administrative <br />citation may be issued (see No. 1 above), and specifically prohibits the issuance of administrative <br />citations for other violations of Minn. Stat., ch. 169. <br />4) Can we just keeping using our current administrative citations system for traffic offenses? <br />It is highly likely that cities that are currently issuing administrative citations for Minn. Stat., ch. 169 <br />traffic offenses will need to cease or drastically revamp their existing citation program. The new law <br />specifically lists out the traffic offenses under Minn. Stat., ch. 169 for which an administrative <br />citation may be issued (see No. 1 above), and specifically prohibits the issuance of administrative <br />citations for other violations of Minn. Stat., ch. 169. The new law also requires a city to use a new <br />prescribed uniform citation form designed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Finally, the statute <br />requires a set administrative fine of $60, mandates how the fine must be divided between the city and <br />state, and requires the city to spend at least one-half of its fine revenues on law enforcement purposes. <br />5) What is a stop line violation? <br />The new law states that cities may issue administrative citations to vehicle operators who "fail to <br />obey a stop line." A stop line violation is not a failure to stop completely as directed by a stop sign or <br />traffic control signal. A regular criminal citation must still be issued for this type of traffic violation. <br />According to the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a stop line is a solid white <br />line extending across approach lanes that indicates where vehicles are required to stop in compliance <br />with a stop sign, traffic control signal, or some other traffic control device. An administrative citation <br />for a stop line violation may be issued to a vehicle operator who fails to heed the direction for where <br />to stop, presumably by driving over the line. <br />6) Does the new law apply to charter cities? <br />The new law applies to all Minnesota cities, including charter cities. <br />7) Does the new law apply to violations of city traffic ordinances that are not offenses under Minn. <br />Stat., ch. 169? For example, cruising, excessive acceleration, or jake braking? <br />Cities have ample authority to adopt regulations to "regulate the use" of city streets in a manner that <br />is consistent with Minn. Stat., ch. 169. Some cities have adopted traffic ordinances on subjects not <br />regulated by Minn. Stat., ch. 169 and may be currently imposing administrative fines for violations. <br />For example, cities may have ordinances prohibiting cruising, j ake braking, or excessive acceleration. <br />Under the new law, cities may continue to issue city administrative citations for these types of local <br />ordinance violations consistent with city ordinance. However, cities may not use the new uniform <br />administrative citation designed by the Commissioner of Public Safety for these types of citations. <br />Cities must develop or continue to use their own citation form for these violations. <br />Administrative Traffic Citations Too! Kit <br />