SF4067

Purpose

• Expand and clarify security and protective responsibilities for state officials and the judiciary.
• Redistribute and increase base funding for the judicial branch starting in fiscal year 2028.
• Update statutes to give the Minnesota State Patrol broader authority to protect high-ranking officials and, in certain circumstances, to provide security for judiciary members and legislators.
• Support safety, security, and access improvements for courts and justice partners.

Main Provisions and What It Seeks to Accomplish

• State Patrol security and authorities

  • The bill strengthens the State Patrol’s role in protecting public figures and state property.
  • It explicitly authorizes the State Patrol to provide security for the governor (and governor-elect) and, after consultation with the governor, to provide security for the chief justice, supreme court justices, legislators, and other constitutional officers for a limited period during credible threats, within existing resources.
  • The Patrol may be contracted to deliver these security services beyond regular hours, with compensation defined by the contract.
  • State Patrol members designated for these duties must take an oath.
  • The Patrol would retain its broad powers as peace officers, including enforcing traffic laws, serving warrants, inspecting school buses, making arrests, and assisting other officers, while adhering to boundaries and particular limitations (e.g., no involvement in strikes or industrial disputes).

• Judicial funding and base adjustments (beginning in FY 2028)

  • The bill changes how funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts is allocated by adjusting their general fund base starting in fiscal year 2028.
  • Forensic Examiner rate increases: A new annual appropriation to raise the hourly rate paid to forensic examiners.
  • Paid leave appropriations: Additional funding for the employer portion of the Minnesota paid leave program for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, with these amounts added to base starting in FY 2028.
  • Contingent accounts: Creates or maintains contingent accounts for the Supreme Court and appropriations adjustments related to court operations.

• Justice partner access and safety initiatives

  • A substantial appropriation is provided to improve justice partner access to documents and court information (Justice Partner Access).
  • Safety and security funding is provided to implement measures for court safety, with a separate one-time “Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative” grant program to fund courthouse security improvements, equipment, technology, construction, or training. This one-time grant requires a 50% nonstate match and is available through June 30, 2029.

• Administrative and institutional changes

  • Several sections adjust base funding levels for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, aligning ongoing funding with new safety, security, and operational needs.
  • The bill includes provisions for paid leave funding across the judiciary to support employee benefits.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands and codifies the State Patrol’s powers to protect not only the governor and state property but also the chief justice, supreme court justices, legislators, and constitutional officers upon request and in response to credible threats.
• Adds a requirement for consultation with the governor (or designee) before deploying security for additional officials.
• Establishes new or adjusted funding streams and base adjustments to the general fund for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts beginning in FY 2028, including:
  • Forensic examiner rate increases
  • Paid leave program funding
  • Safety and security appropriations
  • A one-time courthouse safety grant program with nonstate matching requirements
  • Contingent accounts for court operations
  • Enhanced access provisions for justice partners

Timeline and Funding Highlights

• Begin base funding adjustments: fiscal year 2028.
• Safety and security funds: appropriated in FY 2027, added to base in FY 2028.
• Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative: $1,000,000 in FY 2027, one-time appropriation through FY 2029, requiring a 50% nonstate match.
• Justice Partner Access: $4,000,000 in the first year to improve access to documents and court information.
• Forensic examiner rate increases: $2,685,000 annually to raise hourly pay.

Key Terms to Note

• Chief justice
• Supreme Court justices
• Legislature / legislators
• Constitutional officers
• Minnesota State Patrol (State Patrol)
• Credible threat
• Security and protection
• Oath of office
• Security contracts and compensation
• Paid leave program (employer portion)
• Justice Partner Access
• Contingent account
• Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative
• Forensic Examiner rate
• Base adjustment / general fund base
• Trunk highways and traffic enforcement

Relevant Terms - chief justice - Supreme Court - governor - governor elect - legislators - constitutional officers - credible threat - security and protection - State Patrol - paid leave - forensics examiner rates - Justice Partner Access - contingent account - Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative - base adjustment - general fund - court safety and security