SF4065

Purpose

• Expand the Minnesota State Patrol’s role to provide security for the Chief Justice and, in certain situations, other officials.
• Establish funding to support this security role through the Supreme Court.

Main Provisions

• State Patrol expansion as peace officers

  • The commissioner can employ and designate a chief supervisor, chief assistant supervisor, and other supervisors, sergeants, and officers to form the Minnesota State Patrol.
  • State Patrol members have peace officer powers to enforce laws related to protection of trunk highways, direct traffic, and handle emergencies (fires, other incidents), and to direct traffic on other roads as needed.
  • They may serve search warrants and arrest warrants anywhere in the state, and may serve orders from the commissioner of public safety or other authorized agents related to Driver’s License Law, Safety Responsibility Act, and related areas.
  • They can inspect brake and light testing stations, conduct traffic safety education programs, and attend school bus clinics.
  • They have powers similar to sheriffs and other police inside their jurisdiction, including enforcing laws against crimes.
  • They may assist a peace officer whose life or safety is in danger.
  • They can enforce school bus equipment, pollution, and registration requirements and may inspect school buses anywhere in the state.
  • They can arrest for public offenses in their presence, anywhere in the state.
  • They may inspect and issue out-of-service orders under NAO (North American out-of-service) criteria.

• Security responsibilities

  • After consultation with the governor or designee, the commissioner may require State Patrol to provide security and protection to the Governor, the Governor-elect, members of the Legislature, and constitutional officers (other than the Governor) for a limited period, as needed for credible threats and within existing resources.

• State Patrol contracting and oaths

  • The state may contract for State Patrol members to provide these services beyond their regular duty hours, with compensation outlined in the contract.
  • Employees assigned to these duties must subscribe to an oath.

• Funding and fiscal changes

  • A separate appropriation is provided to the Supreme Court: 101,000 dollars in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide security for the Chief Justice. This appropriation is added to the base starting fiscal year 2028.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Broad expansion of State Patrol authority to include wide-ranging security duties for the Chief Justice and, conditionally, other high-ranking officials and the Legislature.
• Authorization to perform security services for the Supreme Court and related figures under consulting with the governor and within existing resources.
• Introduction of funded security duties for the Chief Justice through a Supreme Court appropriation, marking a formal budgeted mission beyond typical patrol responsibilities.

Potential Impacts

• Increased protection for high-ranking officials, including the Chief Justice, and potentially for Supreme Court operations and legislative activities.
• Expanded police powers and on-call security duties across the state, with authority to act in a broader set of situations and locations.
• Use of private contracts to extend officer time beyond normal hours, with payment terms defined in contracts.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota State Patrol - peace officers - trunk highways - search warrants - arrest warrants - traffic direction and enforcement - school buses inspections - North American out-of-service criteria (NA out-of-service) - Governor and Governor-elect - Chief Justice and Supreme Court Justices - legislators and constitutional officers - credible threat - security and protection - general fund appropriation - appropriation to Supreme Court - oath of office - contracting for services - existing resources