STATE OF MINNESOTA FOURTEENTH 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 26, 2025, in Room 120 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
NOVOTNY, Paul, Co-Chair
MOLLER, Kelly, Co-Chair
WITTE, Jeff, Vice Chair
FEIST, Sandra, Vice Chair
BERG, Kaela
BLISS, Matt
CURRAN, Brion
DURAN JR, Bidal
ENGEN, Elliott
GREENMAN, Emma
HARDER, Bobbie
HOLLINS, Athena
HUDSON, Walter
JOHNSON, Pete
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
STIER, Terry
TABKE, Brad
A quorum was present.
Representative Curran moved to approve the minutes of March 25, 2025. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1590 (West) Mandatory minimum sentences established for malicious punishment of a child.
Chair Novotny moved HF 1590 before the committee.
Representative West presented HF 1590.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 1590.
HF 561 (Quam) Law enforcement use of unmanned aerial vehicles to find missing persons, persons fleeing arrest, and incarcerated persons authorized.
Chair Novotny moved HF 561 before the committee.
Representative Quam presented HF 561.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 561.
HF 1275 (Tabke) Use of unmanned aerial vehicles authorized for risk of fleeing suspect or actual fleeing suspect.
Representative Tabke moved HF 1275 before the committee.
Representative Tabke presented HF 1275.
Testifiers:
Superintendent Drew Evans, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, testified in support of HF 1275.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 1275.
HF 1396 (Witte) Permitted uses of unmanned aerial vehicles by law enforcement expanded.
Representative Witte moved HF 1396 before the committee.
Representative Witte presented HF 1396.
Chair Novotny moved HF 1396 DE 3 amendment.
Chair Novotny moved to adopt the A3 amendment to the DE3 amendment. THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Novotny moved adoption of the DE3 amendment, as amended. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifiers:
Sheriff Scott Hable, Renville County, testified in support of HF 1396 DE3, as amended.
Teresa Nelson, Director of ACLU, testified about concerns of HF 1396 DE3, as amended.
Jeff Potts, Executive Director, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, testified in support of HF 1396 DE3, as amended.
Chair Novotny moved HF 1396 DE3, as amended, to be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1744 (Stier) Expanded use of tracking devices authorized for fleeing motor vehicles.
Representative Stier moved HF 1744 before the committee.
Representative Stier moved the DE1 amendment before the committee. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Stier presented HF 1744, as amended.
Representative Stier renewed the motion to re-refer HF 1744, as amended, to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1375 (Duran) Peace officer grievance arbitration selection procedure repealed.
Representative Duran moved HF 1375 before the committee.
Representative Duran presented HF 1375.
Testifiers:
Jim Michels, attorney, testified in support of HF 1375.
Kevin Beck, attorney, testified in support of HF 1375.
Mark Schneider, Counsel, Law Enforcement Legal Services, testified in support of HF 1375.
Scott Neal, Edina City Manager on behalf of the League of Minnesota Cities, testified in opposition to HF 1375.
Jeff Potts, Executive Director, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, testified in opposition to HF 1375.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 1375.
HF 2525 (Duran) Public safety officer hearing protection program established, and money appropriated.
Representative Duran moved HF 2525 before the committee.
Representative Duran presented HF 2525.
Testifiers:
David Titus, Deputy Director, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, testified in support of HF 2525.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 2525.
HF 104 (Feist) Confidentiality established for restorative justice practices participants, and data classified.
Representative Feist moved HF 104 before the committee.
Representative Feist presented HF 104.
Testifiers:
Sarah Super, Founder of Break the Silence, testified in support of HF 104.
Representative Feist moved the A2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 104, as amended.
The meeting adjourned at 4:41 PM.
Representative Paul Novotny, Chair
Mary McNamara, Committee Legislative Assistant