HF4317

Purpose

This bill would let a chief law enforcement officer provide a surplus badge to certain peace officers or their families at no cost. It overrides some existing restrictions to make this possible.

Main Provisions

• A chief law enforcement officer may give a surplus badge to the person it was issued to when they were hired or during their employment, at no cost.
• Eligible recipients include the current officer, a retired officer, or the spouse or child of a deceased peace officer.
• A “surplus badge” is defined as a badge that bears any seal before May 11, 2026, or the badge of a retired officer bearing any seal.
• The provision uses “Notwithstanding” to override certain existing statutes (see Changes to Existing Law).

Definitions (Key Terms)

• Surplus badge: A badge that bears any seal before May 11, 2026, or the badge of a retired officer bearing any seal.
• Peace officer: A licensed law enforcement officer.
• Chief law enforcement officer: The local leader authorized to distribute surplus badges.

Changes to Existing Law

• The bill overrides, or uses a Notwithstanding clause for, sections 15.054 and 471.3459. This means the surplus-badge transfer at no cost would not be limited by those parts of current law.

Practical Impact

• The measure creates a new, cost-free pathway for specific individuals (the badge recipient, their spouse, or a deceased officer’s family) to obtain surplus badges, expanding who can receive a badge beyond current restrictions.

Important Date Reference

• The definition of surplus badge includes badges bearing any seal before May 11, 2026, highlighting a cutoff related to the seal’s date.

Relevant Terms - surplus badge - peace officer - chief law enforcement officer - at no cost - Notwithstanding - Minnesota Statutes chapter 626 - seal - May 11, 2026 - spouse of a deceased officer - child of a deceased officer - retired peace officer - current employee (peace officer)