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Public Safety Finance and Policy

FIRST MEETING

2025-2026 Regular Session - Tuesday, February 11, 2025

STATE OF MINNESOTA FIRST MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION

PUBLIC SAFETY FINANCE & POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES

Representative Paul Novotny, Chair of the Public Safety Finance & Policy Committee called the meeting to order at 3:02 PM. on 11 February 2025, in Room 120 of the State Capitol Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

NOVOTNY, Paul, Chair
WITTE, Jeff, Vice Chair
MOLLER, Kelly, DFL Lead
BERG, Kaela
BLISS, Matt
CURRAN, Brion
DURAN JR, Bidal
ENGEN, Elliott
FEIST, Sandra
GREENMAN, Emma
HARDER, Bobbie
HOLLINS, Athena
HUDSON, Walter
JOHNSON, Pete
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
STIER, Terry

Non-voting members present:
TABKE, Brad

A quorum was present.

Vice Chair Witte assumed the gavel at 3:10 p.m.

Representative Novotny moved to refer HF 7 to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.

HF 7 (Novotny) Data held by law enforcement agencies regarding the person or entity that posted bail made public, agency notice of posted bail or bond required, mandatory minimum sentences established for sex trafficking offenses, Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission provisions modified, various criminal penalties modified, and money appropriated.

Representative Novotny presented HF 7.

Testifiers:
Mike Martin, Ramsey County Sheriff’s office testified in favor of HF 7.
Shane Myre, President of Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, testified in favor of HF7.
Sheriff Bryan Welk, Cass County testified in favor of HF 7.
Jeff Potts, Executive Director of Chiefs of Police Association, testified in favor of HF 7.
David Zimmer, Public Safety Policy Fellow at the Center of the American Experiment, testified in favor of HF 7.
Nate Reitz, Executive Director, Sentencing Guidelines Commission, testified on HF 7.
Addie Best, Deer River, testified in favor of HF 7.
Amy Brallier testified against HF 7.
Rich Newmeister, public advocate, testified against HF 7.
Will Cooley, Policy Director, Minnesota Justice Research Center, testified against HF 7.



Representative Novotny moved the H0007A2. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Hudson withdrew the H0007A3 Amendment.

Vice Chair Witte moved that HF 7 as amended be re-referred to the Judiciary. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Vice Chair Witte adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.





Representative Paul Novotny, Chair




Mary McNamara, Committee Legislative Assistant

















More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF7 (Novotny) - Public safety; various public safety provisions modified related to data held by law enforcement agencies, agency custody notice requirements, mandatory minimum sentences, stays of adjudication, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, legislative approval of Sentencing Guidelines, dismissing of charges, liability and vicarious liability, crime for trespass recruiting or educating, assaulting a police officer, fleeing in a motor vehicle, stolen motor vehicles, obstructing traffic, tracking devices, criminal penalties, and money appropriated.
House TV Video:
View Archive

00:49 - Introductions.
07:58 - Committee rules.
10:01 - HF7 (Novotny) Bail data and notice provisions modified, mandatory minimum sentences established for sex trafficking offenses, Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission provisions modified, crimes established, criminal penalties imposed, and money appropriated.
Runs 2 hours, 1 minute.


1. Call to Order
2. Member and staff introductions
3. Committee Rules
4. HF 7 (Novotny) Bail data and notice provisions modified, mandatory minimum sentences established for sex trafficking offenses, Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission provisions modified, crimes established, criminal penalties imposed, and money appropriated.
5. Adjourn

Testimony: Written testimony or requests to testify in person are due via e-mail to Committee Administrator john.hultquist@house.mn.gov no less than 24 hours prior to the start of the committee hearing. In-person testimony may be limited due to committee time constraints.