STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTH 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 3:00 PM on February 25, 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.
Representative Stier moved the minutes of February 19, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 963 (Rarick) Commissioner of corrections authorized to revoke earned incentive credits granted under Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act.
Chair Novotny moved HF 963 before the committee.
Representative Rarick presented HF 963.
Testifiers:
David Zimmer, Policy Fellow, Center for the American Experiment testified in support of HF 963.
Commissioner Paul Schnell, Minnesota Department of Corrections, testified about Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act credits.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 963.
HF 533 (Bliss) Earned incentive release credit exclusions expanded.
Representative Bliss moved HF 533 before the committee
Representative Bliss presented HF 533.
Testifiers:
David Zimmer, Policy Fellow, Center for the American Experiment testified in support of HF 533.
David Boehnke, Minnesota Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, testified against HF 533.
Commissioner Paul Schnell, Minnesota Department of Corrections testified about early release and policy of the department.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 533.
HF 435 (Franson) Commissioner of corrections required to house only biological female inmates at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee.
Chair Novotny moved HF 435 before the committee.
Chair Novotny moved the HF 435A2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Franson presented HF 435 as amended.
Testifiers:
Alicia Beckmann, former GED Teacher for Department of Corrections, testified in support of HF 435 as amended.
Devika Ghai testified against HF 435 as amended.
Lucy Geach testified against HF 435 as amended.
Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis testified against HF 435 as amended.
Jess Braverman, Legal Director of Gender Justice, testified against HF 435 as amended.
Commissioner Paul Schnell provided answers to questions to Public Safety Committee.
Chair Novotny moved to recess at 4:46 PM and to reconvene at 5:00 PM.
Chair Novotny reconvened the hearing at 5:02 PM.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 435, as amended.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM.
Representative Paul Novotny, Chair
Mary McNamara, Committee Legislative Assistant