HF1431 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Grounds for recall of state officials amended.
Related bill: SF647
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill would update the grounds for recalling state officials by defining what counts as a “serious crime.” This definition is used to determine when a recall can be pursued under Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211C.01 subdivision 4).
Main Provisions
- Defines “Serious crime” in Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211C.01 subdivision 4.
- Category A: A serious crime is a crime punished as a felony (as defined in section 609.02) or a gross misdemeanor (as defined in section 609.02) that involves:
- assault or intentional injury or threat of injury to a person or to public safety
- dishonesty
- harassment
- aggravated driving while intoxicated
- coercion
- obstruction of justice
- sale or possession of controlled substances
- Category B: A serious crime also includes a crime punished as a misdemeanor (as defined in section 609.02) that involves:
- assault or intentional injury or threat of injury to a person or to public safety
- dishonesty
- coercion
- obstruction of justice
- sale or possession of controlled substances
- The definition applies to determining recall grounds for state officials.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Reframes and expressly enumerates what qualifies as a “serious crime” for purposes of recall.
- Adds or clarifies that both felonies/gross misdemeanors and certain misdemeanors with specific elements (such as assault, dishonesty, coercion, obstruction of justice, and drug offenses) are included in the serious-crime standard.
- Ties recall eligibility more precisely to offenses involving violence, public safety, dishonesty, coercion, obstruction of justice, and controlled-substance offenses, by listing them within the formal definition.
Relevant terms - recall - grounds for recall - state officials - serious crime - felony - gross misdemeanor - misdemeanor - assault - intentional injury - threat of injury - public safety - dishonesty - harassment - aggravated driving while intoxicated - coercion - obstruction of justice - sale of controlled substances - possession of controlled substances - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - section 609.02 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211C.01 subdivision 4 - Elections Finance and Government Operations (implied by committee reference)
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 24, 2025 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Elections Finance and Government Operations |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines 'Serious crime' to include offenses punished as a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor as defined in section 609.02, with explicit elements (assault, intentional injury or threat of injury to person or public safety, dishonesty, coercion, obstruction of justice, or sale/possession of controlled substances)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines 'Serious crime' for recall grounds by amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211C.01, subdivision 4. The definition references offenses punished as felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors as defined in section 609.02, including specified elements such as assault, intentional injury or threat, dishonesty, coercion, obstruction of justice, and possession or sale of controlled substances.",
"modified": [
"Replaces or updates the existing recall grounds language to define 'Serious crime' in terms of 609.02-based categories and specified conduct."
]
},
"citation": "211C.01 Subd. 4",
"subdivision": "Subd. 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References to 609.02 for the definitions of felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor used in the 'Serious crime' definition."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill text uses Minnesota Statutes section 609.02 to define the terms 'felony,' 'gross misdemeanor,' and 'misdemeanor' which are referenced in the definition of 'Serious crime' in the amended section 211C.01, Subd. 4.",
"modified": [
"No direct modification to 609.02 itself; the citation serves as the cross-reference for the definition of offenses."
]
},
"citation": "609.02",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee