SF3631

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