STATE OF MINNESOTA NINTH 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 11, 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 Feist moved to approve the minutes of March 5, 2025. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
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.
Chair Moller moved to re-refer HF 7 to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law and requested a roll call vote.
AYES
MOLLER, Kelly, DFL Lead
BERG, Kaela
CURRAN, Brion
FEIST, Sandra
GREENMAN, Emma
HOLLINS, Athena
JOHNSON, Pete
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
NAYS
NOVOTNY, Paul, Chair
WITTE, Jeff, Vice Chair
BLISS, Matt
DURAN JR., Bidal
ENGEN, Elliott
HARDER, Bobbie
HUDSON, Walter
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
STIER, Terry
On a vote of 9 AYES and 10 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chair Novotny moved HF 7, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and requested a roll call.
AYES
NOVOTNY, Paul, Chair
WITTE, Jeff, Vice Chair
BLISS, Matt
DURAN JR., Bidal
ENGEN, Elliott
HARDER, Bobbie
HUDSON, Walter
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
STIER, Terry
NAYS
MOLLER, Kelly, DFL Lead
BERG, Kaela
CURRAN, Brion
FEIST, Sandra
GREENMAN, Emma
HOLLINS, Athena
JOHNSON, Pete
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
On a vote of 10 AYES and 9 NAYS, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 697 (Baker) – Weather forecasting gap-filling radar data funding provided, and money appropriated.
Chair Novotny moved HF 697 before the committee.
Chair Novotny moved the A1 amendment to HF 697. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Baker presented HF 697, as amended.
Testifiers:
Ace Bonnema, Kandiyohi County Emergency Management Director, testified in support of HF 697, as amended.
Eric Waage, Hennepin County Emergency Management Director, testified in support of HF 697, as amended.
Tara Good, Climavision, testified about how Climavision worked.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 697, as amended.
HF 1814 (Backer) – Grant funding provided to purchase or upgrade radios and related equipment, and money appropriated.
Chair Novotny moved HF 1814 before the committee.
Representative Backer presented HF 1814.
Testifiers:
Brandon Silgjord, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police, Sartell testified in support of HF 1814.
Jill Rohret, Executive Director, Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, testified in support of HF 1814.
Steve Schmitt, Meeker County Commissioner, testified in support of HF 1814.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 1814.
HF1567 (Duran) – Personal information protections currently available for judicial officials extended to peace officers.
Representative Duran Jr. moved HF 1567 before the committee with a recommendation to re-refer HF 1567 to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.
Representative Duran Jr. moved the DE 3 amendment to HF 1567. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Duran Jr. presented HF 1567, as amended.
Testifiers:
Chief Brian Podany, Blaine Police Department, testified in support of HF 1567, as amended.
Lt. Chris Thompson, Cass County Jail Administrator, testified in support of HF 1567, as amended.
Gordon Ramsay, Sheriff, St. Louis County, testified in support of HF 1567, as amended.
Chris Madel, defense attorney, testified in support of HF 1567, as amended.
Representative Duran renewed the motion to re-refer HF 1567, as amended, to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Vice Chair Witte assumed the gavel at 4:35 PM.
HF 1256 (Novotny) Certain law enforcement training reimbursement funding extended.
Chair Novotny moved HF 1256 before the committee.
Chair Novotny presented HF 1256.
Testifiers:
Gordon Ramsay, Sheriff, St. Louis County, testified in support of HF 1256.
Chief Mitch Johnsrud, Starbuck Police Department, testified in support of HF 1256.
Vice Chair Witte laid over HF 1256.
HF 1257 (Novotny) Public Safety Advisory Council eliminated.
Chair Novotny moved HF 1257 before the committee with the recommendation it be re-referred to the General Register.
Chair Novotny presented HF 1257.
Testifiers:
Carlos Mariani, former State Representative, testified against HF 1257.
Chair Novotny renewed the motion to re-refer HF 1257 to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.
Representative Paul Novotny, Chair
Mary McNamara, Committee Legislative Assistant