Scanner law question

[NS9710]

When I was last up there around 2010, Minnesota had a law against having a scanner, has this law been modified or done away with?

Does anyone remember this law?

Any further information on it?

Thanks.

 

[n0esc]

When I was last up there around 2010, Minnesota had a law against having a scanner, has this law been modified or done away with?

Does anyone remember this law?

Any further information on it?

Thanks.

MN Statutes 299.C37

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/299C.37

Still very much on the books. There is some overlap with the current political and pandemic environment that as long as you aren't doing anything to attract the attention of LE, you'll be left alone, but if they have to interact with you, it's likely that without very good reason, and applicable legal exemptions, scanners can and have gotten seized. Most officers are well aware of sites like broadcastify and all associated apps and web access through phones, and even android auto, so it's gotten less common, but none-the-less the law is still there.

 

[ko6jw_2]

The law relates to mobile operation. According to what I have read, there is an exemption for licensed ham radio operators. As mentioned above, there is now a gray area with internet and cell phone scanner apps. More legislation is probably coming.

 

[wogggieee]

The law to my knowledge has not change and with the increase of steaming scanner apps I'd be doubtful it ever will, at least in the direction of being looser. I don't think its on the radar for most law makers and law enforcement is solving their "problem" by going encrypted. Get you amateur radio license and you will be exempt from most scanner laws around the country.

 

[jason_58201]

With NoDak going full encryption, I'm sure MN will be soon. Hard to believe they haven't already.

 

[n0esc]

Certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility, but given that one of the major drivers of the ARMER adoption was the I35 bridge collapse, and the definitive role ARMER had in interoperability compared to other mass casualty disaster response. AMRER / MN DPS is likely a bit skittish to introduce potential issues with cross agency encryption key maintenance. In fact they released a survey last spring regarding a roadmap to improving encryption key distribution and maintenance. In order to maintain the same statewide level of interoperability for every single radio on the system to have access to local regional and statewide TGs, encryption keys and capable radios would need to be standardized and codified into the AMRER user agreements. Forcing smaller volunteer departments or small cities to absorb tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment upgrades. Many struggled to fund ARMER capable P25 radios in the first place. Might be a tough row to how if DPS forces high cost upgrades without proof of value. I'd imagine you'd see cities and counties dropping their agreements and just going back to standalone systems, totally defeating and undermining the vision of the system in the first place.

2018-2021 Strategic Plan (No Newer Version Yet)

Encryption Survey

I35 Bridge Collapse Report

 

[NS9710]

The reason I asked about this was I have a Uniden SDS100 and am pretty low income and I had to save up quite a while to get it, and I don't want to come out there and get it confiscated.

 

[laidback]

When I was last up there around 2010, Minnesota had a law against having a scanner, has this law been modified or done away with?

Does anyone remember this law?

Any further information on it?

Thanks.

As of 2020: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/299C.37

 

[jason_58201]

The reason I asked about this was I have a Uniden SDS100 and am pretty low income and I had to save up quite a while to get it, and I don't want to come out there and get it confiscated.

Keep it out of site in the car. Don't get stopped. And you won't lose it. There are no roadblocks of Law Enforcement looking for scanners in a car. Follow the rules of the road and you won't get stopped and lose it. Not to sound condescending, but it's pretty logical.

 

[wogggieee]

The reason I asked about this was I have a Uniden SDS100 and am pretty low income and I had to save up quite a while to get it, and I don't want to come out there and get it confiscated.

The law only applies to use in a car. Keep it in a bag or in a trunk and otherwise off and you shouldn't have an issue.

 

[NS9710]

I did not take your remarks condescendingly, I just didn't know what the latest on the topic was. Thanks.

Keep it out of site in the car. Don't get stopped. And you won't lose it. There are no roadblocks of Law Enforcement looking for scanners in a car. Follow the rules of the road and you won't get stopped and lose it. Not to sound condescending, but it's pretty logical.

 

[smitty54017]

I've ran mine in a vehicle with no issues. Most LE don't care as long as you're not scanner chasing or interfering.