SF3631 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Capitol complex dangerous weapons prohibition provision
Related bill: HF3357
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Increase safety by prohibiting the possession of dangerous weapons, ammunition, or explosives in the Capitol complex and specified state buildings.
- Update and clarify how a legislative or oversight committee can access certain nonpublic data to perform its duties, under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Main Provisions
- Prohibition areas:
- Makes it a felony to possess a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives within any courthouse complex or within the Capitol Area (as described in chapter 15B), with the National Guard Armory being the exception.
- Penalties:
- Felony offense carrying up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
- Exceptions and allowed scenarios:
- Licensed peace officers or military personnel performing official duties.
- Individuals who carry pistols under a permit issued under section 624.714 and who notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety.
- People who possess dangerous weapons in a courthouse complex for the purpose of display as demonstrative evidence during testimony, at a trial or hearing, or for exhibition, as long as there is advance notice and safety guidelines set by the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety.
- People who have express consent from the county sheriff (in a courthouse complex) or from the commissioner of public safety (in a state building).
- Retired peace officers who carry pistols as authorized by 18 U.S.C. 926C and who work in a primary security function for the Minnesota House of Representatives with the House Sergeant-at-Arms.
- Carry-permit mechanics:
- The issuance of a carry permit (under section 624.714) is considered notification to the commissioner of public safety as required by the exceptions.
- The prohibition does not apply to those authorized to carry a pistol under 624.714 if they are in a motor vehicle or are outside the vehicle to directly place or retrieve the firearm from the trunk or rear area.
- Scope of locations:
- The Capitol Area includes buildings described in chapter 15B, excluding the National Guard Armory.
Data Practices Provisions (Section 1)
- The committee handling these provisions is subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (chapter 13).
- The committee may request access to nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9, as needed to fulfill its responsibilities under this section.
- Government entities receiving such requests must provide nonpublic data if the data are reasonably determined to be relevant to the committee’s responsibilities.
- Protections:
- Access must not extend to data classified under section 13.87, subdivision 2.
- Data on persons who provide the notice described in section 609.66, subdivision 1g, paragraph(b), clause 2, are protected from this access.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a new felony crime for possessing dangerous weapons in courthouse complexes and within the Capitol Area, with specific exceptions.
- Establishes a detailed set of exceptions to the weapon prohibition, including security, display, consent, and certain authorized personnel.
- Adds explicit data access provisions for a legislative committee, clarifying what nonpublic data may be accessed and what must be protected.
Practical Effects
- People will face stricter penalties for bringing dangerous weapons into courthouses or the Capitol Area, with limited and clearly defined exceptions.
- Law enforcement and authorized personnel have a clearer framework for carrying weapons in certain official contexts.
- Legislative committees gain formal authority to review relevant nonpublic data to support public safety and related functions, while privacy protections remain in place.
Relevant Terms - dangerous weapon - weapons - ammunition - explosives - Capitol complex - Capitol Area - chapter 15B - National Guard Armory - courthouse complex - possession - felony - five years - $10,000 - exceptions - licensed peace officers - military personnel - official duties - carry permit - section 624.714 - sheriff - commissioner of public safety - demonstrative evidence - testimony - trial or hearing - advance notice - safety guidelines - express consent - county sheriff - primary security function - House Sergeant-at-Arms - retired peace officers - United States Code 18 U.S.C. 926C - Minnesota House of Representatives - data practices - Minnesota Government Data Practices Act - chapter 13 - nonpublic data - section 13.02 subdivision 9 - 13.87 subdivision 2 - section 609.66 subdivision 1g - data access
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Past committee meetings
- Judiciary and Public Safety on: March 13, 2026 08:30
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| February 19, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety | |
| February 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds data practices requirements for the committee, including access to nonpublic data defined in section 13.02 subdivision 9."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends 299E.04 Subd. 4 to include data practices provisions for the Capitol public safety committee, clarifying access to nonpublic data required to fulfill its responsibilities and restricting data access as needed.",
"modified": [
"Section 299E.04 Subd. 4 is amended to incorporate Minnesota Government Data Practices Act chapter 13 provisions and define data access conditions for the committee."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 299E.04 subdivision 4",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New Subd. 1g establishing felony possession in courthouse complex or Capitol Area, with penalties up to five years and/or $10,000 fine.",
"Details enumerating exemptions (e.g., licensed peace officers, pistol permit holders with notice, display for testimony, express consent of sheriff/commissioner, retired officers under federal law)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill adds Subd. 1g creating a felony for possession of dangerous weapons in courthouse complex or Capitol Area, with specified exemptions.",
"modified": [
"Sec. 2 amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.66 Subd. 1g to create a comprehensive prohibition with stated exemptions."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.66 subdivision 1g",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1g"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Explicitly subjects the committee to chapter 13, the Government Data Practices Act."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (chapter 13) as applicable to the committee’s data access and data handling.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to chapter 13 appears in Sec. 1 to support data access and handling for nonpublic data."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 chapter 13",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Utilized in the bill to define nonpublic data, used for committee data access under the Data Practices Act.",
"modified": [
"Referenced as the definition of nonpublic data—no change to 13.02 itself; cross-reference within the bill."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 13.02 subdivision 9",
"subdivision": "subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Used to address data on persons who provide notice under 609.66 Subd. 1g; relates to data privacy protections.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to nonpublic data handling for notices described in Sec. 2; no change to 13.87 itself."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 13.87 subdivision 2",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to carry permits under Minnesota statute 624.714 as part of the gun possession provisions in 609.66 Subd. 1g.",
"modified": [
"No modification to 624.714; used to define permitted carry conditions in conjunction with 609.66 Subd. 1g."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.714",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cites chapter 15B for Capitol Area description."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Capitol Area reference; the Capitol Area is described in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 15B.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to chapter 15B included in Sec. 2 for Capitol Area boundaries."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 chapter 15B",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Federal law cited to permit certain retired peace officers to carry pistols in restricted buildings when authorized by federal law.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates the federal provision at 18 U.S.C. § 926C to govern carrying firearms by retired peace officers within Capitol Area buildings."
]
},
"citation": "18 U.S.C. § 926C",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee