SF4589 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Visitor carrying of firearms on campuses of public postsecondary institutions regulation
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to regulate the carrying of firearms on campuses of public postsecondary institutions in Minnesota. It allows certain entities to set policies about firearms, imposes penalties for violations, and creates a specific exception related to parking facilities.
Main Provisions
- Employers and private/public employers: May establish policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by employees while they are working, with employment-related civil sanctions for violations.
- Public postsecondary institutions (under chapters 136F or 137): May establish policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by students while on campus, with academic sanctions for violations.
- Visitors: Public postsecondary institutions may establish policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by visitors on campus; someone carrying in violation may be ordered to leave the premises, and failing to leave can result in a petty misdemeanor. The first offense carries a fine not to exceed $500.
- Forfeiture: A firearm carried in violation of these provisions is not subject to forfeiture under the applicable law (609.531).
- Parking facilities: Despite the above restrictions, an employer or a postsecondary institution may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area.
Changes to Existing Law
- Adds and details that employers, students, employees, and visitors may be subject to campus- or institution-specific policies limiting firearm carry/possession, with specified sanctions for violations.
- Establishes a formal process (order to leave) and penalties (petty misdemeanor, up to $500 on first offense) for violations by visitors.
- Introduces a clear exception that parking facilities may not be restricted from lawful firearms carry/possession, despite campus policies elsewhere.
- Specifies that firearms violative of these policies are not forfeitable.
Enforcement and Penalties
- Employees who violate employment-related policies may be subject to civil sanctions.
- Students who violate campus policies may face academic sanctions.
- Visitors who violate campus policies may be ordered to leave; failure to comply is a petty misdemeanor with a first-offense fine cap of $500.
- Firearms involved in violations are not subject to forfeiture.
Parking Facility Carve-Out
- The bill preserves the right to lawful firearms carry/possession in parking facilities or parking areas, even if campus policies restrict firearms elsewhere on property.
Practical Impact
- Public colleges and universities could implement campus-specific firearm policies for students and visitors, with disciplinary and potential legal consequences for violations.
- Employers can implement workplace firearms policies affecting employees on campus or work sites.
- Individuals may carry firearms in parking areas, but not in other campus areas where policies restrict carrying.
Relevant Terms - firearms, carry, possession - employees, course and scope of employment - visitors, students - public postsecondary institution, campus property - parking facility, parking area - academic sanctions, employment-related civil sanctions - petty misdemeanor, leave premises, fine (not to exceed $500) - forfeiture, 609.531 - policy, violation, compliance
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 18, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 18, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Empowers employers to restrict firearms for employees in the course and scope of employment; civil sanctions may be invoked for violations.",
"Allows public postsecondary institutions (regulated under chapters 136F or 137) to restrict firearms for students and impose academic sanctions.",
"Allows restrictions on visitors; violators may be ordered to leave the premises; a petty misdemeanor is defined for failure to leave; the first-offense fine is capped at $500.",
"Notwithstanding section 609.531, a firearm carried in violation of this subdivision is not subject to forfeiture.",
"An employer or postsecondary institution may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.714, subdivision 18, to authorize employers (public or private) and public postsecondary institutions to establish policies restricting the carry or possession of firearms on campus; creates sanctions for violations; includes specific provisions for students, employees, and visitors; clarifies penalties, forfeiture, and parking facility protections.",
"modified": [
"Section 624.714, subdivision 18 is amended to add detailed policy controls for firearms on campus, including sanctions and parking-area provisions."
]
},
"citation": "624.714",
"subdivision": "18"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Notwithstanding 609.531, firearms carried in violation of Subd. 18 are not subject to forfeiture."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference within the bill to Minnesota Statutes section 609.531, used to state that firearms carried in violation of Subd. 18 are not subject to forfeiture.",
"modified": [
"The bill uses 609.531 as a cross-reference; not a substantive change to 609.531 itself."
]
},
"citation": "609.531",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota statutes chapters 136F in relation to public postsecondary institutions; the policies restricting firearms on campus apply to institutions regulated under chapters 136F or 137.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to chapters 136F and 137; no direct amendments to those chapters are shown in the text."
]
},
"citation": "136F",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota statutes chapters 136F and 137; 137 is another chapter relevant to public postsecondary institutions.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to chapters 136F and 137; no direct amendments to chapter 137 are shown."
]
},
"citation": "137",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee