STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH 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 March 4, 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 Hollins moved the minutes of February 26, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 135 (Myers) Consecutive sentences required for assaults committed by certain inmates of local facilities.
Chair Novotny moved HF 135 before the committee.
Chair Novotny moved the A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Myers presented HF 135, as amended.
Testifiers:
Jamie Ness, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputy, testified in support of HF 135.
Sheriff Brad Wise, Anoka County, testified in support of HF 135.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 135 as amended.
HF 538 (Stier) Use of deadly force by peace officer to protect person from apparent death modified.
Representative Stier moved HF 538 before the committee with a recommendation it is re-referred to the General Register.
Representative Stier presented HF 538.
Testifiers:
Imran Ali, Legal Counsel for Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, testified in favor of HF 538.
Shane Myre, President of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, testified in favor of HF 538.
Jay Henthorne, Richfield Police Chief, testified in favor of HF 538.
Brent Murray, Sergeant with Burnsville Police, testified in favor of HF 538.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 538.
HF 7 (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.
Representative Novotny moved HF 7 before the Committee with a recommendation the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative Novotny moved the A8 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Novotny moved to re-refer HF 7, as amended, to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Lead Moller moved to re-refer HF 7 to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 7, as amended.
HF 327 (Engen) Penalty for introducing contraband into a correctional facility increased.
Representative Engen moved HF 327 before the committee.
Representative Engen moved the DE1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Engen presented HF 327, as amended.
Testifiers:
Sheriff Brad Wise, Anoka County, testified in favor of HF 327, as amended.
Commissioner Paul Schnell, Minnesota Department of Corrections, testified about mail handling in correctional facilities.
Representative Curran moved the A2 amendment.
Representative Curran withdrew the A2 amendment.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 327, as amended.
HF 1399 (Witte) Commissioner of Corrections required to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists to administer to persons who overdose in correctional facilities, and commissioner required to provide training to employees on how to administer opiate antagonists.
Vice Chair Witte moved HF 1399 before the committee.
Vice Chair Witte presented HF 1399.
Testifiers:
Will Cooley, Policy Director for Minnesota Justice Research Center, testified in favor of HF 1399.
Commissioner Paul Schnell, Minnesoat Department of Corrections, testified on Narcan use in correctional facilities.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 1399.
HF 1410 (Witte) Local correctional officers provided in Peace Officers Discipline Procedures Act.
Vice Chair Witte moved HF 1410 before the committee with a recommendation it be re-referred to the General Register.
Vice Chair Witte presented HF 1410.
Testifiers:
Renee Zachman, Legal Counsel for Law Enforcement Legal Services, testified in favor of HF 1410.
Brian Peters, Executive Director of Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, testified in favor of HF 1410.
Vice Chair Witte renewed his motion to re-refer HF 1410 to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 PM.
Representative Paul Novotny, Chair
Mary McNamara, Committee Legislative Assistant