Senate Bill SF No. 686, also known as the Unilateral Emergency Powers Repeal Act, is a proposed legislative measure that seeks to significantly change how emergencies are managed in Minnesota. The bill proposes the following key changes:

1. Repeal of Governor's Emergency Powers: This act aims to strip the governor of the ability to unilaterally declare emergencies. Instead, the declaration of emergencies would be shifted to the legislative body, requiring a specific legislative process.

2. Legislative Control Over Emergency Declarations: Emergencies would need to be declared by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the legislature. This would apply to all kinds of emergencies, whether caused by natural disasters, technological failures, or security threats.

3. Limited Duration and Legislative Oversight: Any declared emergency would automatically expire after five days unless extended by the legislature for up to 30 days through a similar voting process.

4. Protection of Citizen Rights During Emergencies: The bill emphasizes the protection of fundamental rights such as free speech, religious exercise, assembly, bearing arms, travel, and the right to operate businesses and earn income during emergencies.

5. Modification of Statutes: Several existing statutes under Minnesota law would be amended to align with the new provisions, where the governor's roles are reduced and more oversight and control are given to the legislature. These modifications also involve procedural changes in how emergency rules and orders are adopted, emphasizing legislature involvement and the reduction of the governor’s authority to enact laws during emergencies.

6. Technical Corrections and New Coding: The bill includes technical corrections to ensure the smooth implementation of these changes and proposes new coding within Minnesota law to accommodate the structural adjustments.

Ultimately, if enacted, this bill would fundamentally restructure emergency management in Minnesota, shifting much of the decision-making power from the governor to the state legislature and ensuring more democratic oversight during times of crisis.