Senate unanimously approves roadside signage for exterior AEDs
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Summary
House File 1290 passed the Minnesota Senate 67-0 on May 16, 2025, authorizing roadside signage on state highways directing the public to qualifying exterior automatic external defibrillators (AEDs); an A2 amendment gave MnDOT flexibility on sign placement and appearance.
The Minnesota Senate on May 16, 2025, unanimously passed House File 1290, authorizing roadside signage for exterior automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and giving the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) flexibility on sign placement and design.
Sponsor Senator Howe described the expansion of exterior AEDs and the need for signage to help the public find life-saving devices outside business hours. "What this bill does is we now have automatic defibrillators that are being installed in exterior pieces of of the our state ... it's great that you can get to an AED when businesses are open for business, normal business hours. But what happens when your cardiac emergency happens and you're not during business hours? That's where these cabinets and these AEDs become essential to be on the exterior building so you have access to them 24 7," Howe said.
Senator Howe offered an A2 amendment that he described as technical and intended to give MnDOT "a little bit more flexibility on where they put these signs and what the signs need to look like." The amendment was adopted without objection.
Supporters said the bill could save lives by making exterior AEDs easier to find. "This will be an important change that'll improve the lives of Minnesotans," Senator Dibble said. Senator Pratt recalled high-profile rescues and local cases to underline urgency, citing the on-field resuscitation of NFL player DeMar Hamlin as an example of how timely AED access can save lives.
Cindy Johnson Stewart also spoke in favor, noting the work with MnDOT to ensure the signs meet size and visibility standards and that placement would be efficient. The sponsor noted examples of AED locations in the Capitol building to illustrate public unfamiliarity with device locations.
The roll call on final passage recorded 67 ayes and 0 nays; the bill was passed and the title agreed to.
Ending: The measure now moves forward for placement and any further procedural steps required by the legislature.