St. Paul, MN - Today, the House Commerce Committee approved legislation, House File 1100, that would require vehicle manufacturers to offer anti-theft devices on certain vehicles at no cost to the consumer. The legislation, authored by Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL - Shakopee) comes at a time when vehicle thefts, specifically those that do not have anti-theft devices, are on the rise. The bill is authored in the Senate by Sen. Judy Seeberger (DFL - Afton).
“Minnesotans deserve safety, and that should extend to the basic peace of mind that comes with the cars they purchase,” said Rep. Tabke. “If automakers aren’t going to help consumers when their products are clearly targeted for theft, it’s up to the state to step up and do right by Minnesotans.”
This bill requires car manufacturers to offer to install, at no cost to the consumer, an authorized anti-theft protection device that will sound an alarm; cause the vehicle horn to sound; cause the vehicle lights to flash; or cause the vehicle to be rendered inoperable. The device must be self-activating upon the locking of the passenger doors of the vehicle, and the vehicle manufacturers must install a qualified anti-theft device on all vehicles that were manufactured without immobilizers after January 1, 2013.
Earlier today, Rep. Tabke was joined by Rep. Zack Stephenson, the House Commerce Committee Chair; and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara at a press conference in favor of the bill.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter recently requested the North American CEOs of Kia and Hyundai immediately recall and outfit all Kia and Hyundai vehicles missing industry-standard anti-theft technology to stem the rapidly rising tide of vehicle thefts in the Twin Cities. They cited an 836% increase in Minneapolis and a 611% increase in St. Paul for vehicle thefts from these automakers over the past year.
The bill now goes to the General Register and is eligible for consideration by the full House of Representatives. Video recording of this morning’s press conference of the legislation, and of today’s Commerce hearing, can be found on the House Public Information YouTube channel.
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