SF4772

Purpose

Provide funding support for public safety radio communications by allocating money from the general fund to help local governments, federally recognized Tribal entities, and state agencies participate in and upgrade the statewide Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) system.

What the bill would fund

• A one-time appropriation of 10,000,000 dollars in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety.
• The funds are dedicated to grants for equipment that is interoperable with ARMER, specifically portable radios, mobile radios, and related equipment.
• The grants are intended to improve or ensure compatibility of equipment within the ARMER system, the statewide public safety radio network.

Who can receive grants

• Local units of government
• Federally recognized Tribal entities
• State agencies that participate in ARMER
• Each local government unit may receive only one grant

How the funding works

• Grants must include a match of at least 5% from nonstate funds (i.e., non-state money must be used to help pay for the equipment).
• Of the total grant amounts, 33% must be distributed to local units of government within the metropolitan area (as defined by Minnesota statute on metropolitan boundaries).
• The grants and their distribution are administered in coordination with the Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Communication Networks division and the Statewide Emergency Communications Board, which must approve the grant allocation methodology.

Administration and oversight

• The grant program is administered by the Director of the Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Communication Networks division.
• The Statewide Emergency Communications Board must approve the methodology used to allocate the grants.

Timing and duration

• The appropriation is available for use in fiscal year 2027 and remains available through June 30, 2029.

Significance and potential impact

• Provides dedicated funding to modernize and ensure interoperability of public safety radio equipment across local governments, tribal entities, and state agencies.
• Encourages shared investment (5% nonstate match) and prioritizes metropolitan-area recipients in part of the allocation.
• Establishes a formal process for administering grants and determining how funds are distributed.

Notable statutory references mentioned

• ARMER: Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (the statewide public safety radio system)
• Minnesota Statutes section 403.36 subdivision 1e (ARMER context)
• Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subdivision 2 (metropolitan area definition)

Important notes

• This is an appropriations bill (funding increase) rather than a broad policy overhaul. It outlines who funds go to, how much, and under what conditions, without making large changes to ARMER rules beyond establishing this funding.

Relevant Terms - Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) - ARMER - grants - general fund - fiscal year 2027 - local units of government - federally recognized Tribal entities - state agencies - portable radios - mobile radios - interoperable - nonstate funds match - five percent match - metropolitan area - Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subd 2 - Minnesota Statutes section 403.36 subdivision 1e - Emergency Communication Networks division (Department of Public Safety) - Statewide Emergency Communications Board - grant allocation methodology - available until June 30, 2029