Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to allocate funds to improve the Minnesota State Patrol's aircraft capabilities by purchasing new aircraft and supporting associated operational needs.

Main Provisions

• Helicopter Purchase: $14,500,000 is allocated in the 2026 fiscal year from the trunk highway fund for the purchase and equipping of a helicopter for the State Patrol. This is a one-time appropriation, meaning the funds will only be provided once and will remain available until June 30, 2027.

• Airplane Purchase: An additional $2,300,000 is allocated in the 2026 fiscal year from the trunk highway fund to purchase a Cirrus single-engine airplane for the State Patrol. Like the helicopter funding, this is a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2027.

• Operational Costs: The bill also allocates $1,700,000 for fiscal year 2026 and another $1,700,000 for fiscal year 2027. These funds are for staff and equipment costs for pilots, supporting the operation of the new aircraft.

Significant Changes

• Resource Enhancement: The bill introduces significant new funding aimed specifically at enhancing the State Patrol's aviation resources, which represents an expansion of their operational capacities.

Relevant Terms

State Patrol, helicopter, Cirrus single-engine airplane, trunk highway fund, fiscal year 2026, appropriation, pilots, operational costs.