Purpose

• The bill aims to provide security for the chief justice and certain other state leaders and officials by expanding the Minnesota State Patrol’s duties. It also establishes funding to support these security duties.

Main Provisions

• Expanded State Patrol authority and duties:

  • The State Patrol would continue to act as peace officers with broad powers on trunk highways, including enforcing traffic laws, directing traffic, and responding to emergencies to ensure safety.
  • They would have authority to serve search warrants and arrest warrants related to criminal motor vehicle and traffic violations, and to serve various orders issued under Driver’s License Law, the Safety Responsibility Act, or related to brake and light testing stations, anywhere in the state.
  • They could inspect official brake and light adjusting stations and conduct safety education and school bus clinics.
  • They would exercise police powers on trunk highways equivalent to sheriffs and police officers; they would cooperate with sheriffs and other police, but would not have power in strikes or industrial disputes.
  • They would assist and aid any peace officer whose life is in jeopardy and provide security for the governor (and governor-elect) and state buildings or property as needed after consultation with the governor or designee.
  • They would have duties related to security and protection for the chief justice and, as peace officers, have the same criminal enforcement powers as sheriffs and police within their jurisdictions.
  • They would inspect school buses anywhere in the state to check vehicle equipment, pollution control, and registration requirements.
  • They would arrest for public offenses committed in their presence anywhere in the state; other cases would be referred to local law enforcement.
  • They would enforce the North American Uniform Out-of-Service criteria and issue related out-of-service orders.

• Security for high-profile officials:

  • After consulting with the governor or a designee, the commissioner could require the State Patrol to provide security and protection for the supreme court justices, legislators, and constitutional officers (other than the governor) for limited periods, within existing resources.

• Optional contracting and overtime:

  • The state could contract with State Patrol members to render these services beyond their regular duties, with compensation defined by the contract.

• Oath for designated employees:

  • Employees designated to perform these duties would be required to subscribe an oath.

Changes to Existing Law

• Broadens the State Patrol’s role beyond highway safety and traffic enforcement to include:
  • Personal and building security for the governor, supreme court justices, legislators, and constitutional officers.
  • Security for the chief justice.
  • Security duties that may be invoked for a limited period and within funding/resource limits.
• Adds requirements for consultation with the governor and an oath for designated personnel.
• Introduces authority to contract for security work outside normal hours with specified compensation.

Fiscal Provisions and Implementation

• Sec. 2 provides an appropriation of 101,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Supreme Court to provide security for the chief justice; this amount is added to the base funding beginning in fiscal year 2028.
• Implementation is conditioned on consultation with the governor and adherence to resource limitations.

Summary of Intent

• The bill seeks to strengthen physical security for the state’s highest judicial and political figures by expanding State Patrol powers, enabling security operations, and providing dedicated funding for the Chief Justice’s protection.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota State Patrol - peace officers - trunk highways - traffic enforcement - search warrants - arrest warrants - Drivers License Law - Safety Responsibility Act - brake and light testing stations - school bus inspections - out-of-service criteria (North American Uniform Out-of-Service criteria) - security and protection - governor - governor elect - chief justice - supreme court justices - legislators - constitutional officers - oath - contract / overtime - general fund appropriation - fiscal year 2027 - fiscal year 2028 - consultation with governor