SF 4231
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/18/2026 09:11 a.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to insurance; requiring owners of firearms to have liability insurance;
requiring homeowners' and tenants' policies to include liability coverage for
accidental discharge of firearms; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section
65A.27, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
65A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 65A.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Scope.
For purposes of sections 65A.27 to new text begin 65A.304new text end , the following
terms have the meanings given.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective October 1, 2026.
new text end
Sec. 2.
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[65A.304] FIREARM LIABILITY INSURANCE.
new text end
new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Definitions. new text end
new text begin
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end
new text begin
(b) "Damage" means an injury to a person, the death of a person, or damage to property.
new text end
new text begin
(c) "Firearm" has the meaning given in section 609.666, subdivision 1.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Insurers. new text end
new text begin
An insurer writing homeowner's insurance in Minnesota must make
available at least one form or rider that provides the coverage required under this section.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Insurance compulsory. new text end
new text begin
(a) A Minnesota resident who owns a firearm must
maintain liability insurance, as a part of a homeowner's insurance policy or otherwise, that
covers loss or damage of at least $100,000 arising from any one incident to a person, other
than the insured, who is injured as a result of an accidental or unintentional discharge of
the firearm.
new text end
new text begin
(b) For purposes of this section, a person remains the owner of a lost or stolen firearm
until the loss or theft is reported to law enforcement.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Evidence of compliance. new text end
new text begin
A firearm owner that provides an insurance policy
declaration page documenting coverage is evidence of a policy that complies with the
requirements of this section. A failure to provide proof of coverage through a declaration
page, or a digital policy that contains the insured's name, policy coverage, and dates of
coverage, is prima facie evidence that the firearm owner has violated this section.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Penalties. new text end
new text begin
(a) A person who violates this section for the first time may be
charged with a petty misdemeanor and fined up to $300. The fine under this paragraph may
be suspended or partially waived if the firearm owner demonstrates proof of insurance
within 30 days.
new text end
new text begin
(b) A second or subsequent conviction of this section within five years of a prior
conviction is a misdemeanor and the court may impose a fine of up to $1,000.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 6. new text end
new text begin Exemptions. new text end
new text begin
(a) This section does not apply to a federal firearm licensee or a
person the court excuses from complying with this section as provided in this subdivision.
new text end
new text begin
(b) A person may obtain an order to be excused from the requirements of this section
by filing with the district court in the county in which the person resides a petition seeking
an order declaring the person to be excused. The petition must demonstrate that:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the petitioner was denied insurance coverage by two or more insurers that normally
would offer liability insurance covering the accidental or unintentional discharge of a firearm;
or
new text end
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(2) the petitioner would qualify for a court-appointed attorney in a criminal matter and
has been offered the coverage required but lacks adequate financial resources to pay for the
insurance.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The court must hold a hearing and consider all relevant evidence, including grants
or other funding sources available to the petitioner to obtain the required insurance coverage.
The court may issue an order that the person is exempt from the insurance requirements
under this section if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that:
new text end
new text begin
(1) an exemption in paragraph (b), clause (1) or (2), applies to the petitioner;
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(2) the petitioner is likely to behave in a prudent and safe manner with respect to storing,
carrying, and using the firearm; and
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new text begin
(3) the petitioner (i) has a gun safe or other secure container to store the firearm, and
(ii) demonstrates to the court the location in the home where the gun safe or secure container
is permanently affixed.
new text end
new text begin
(d) An exemption order under this subdivision is valid for two years.
new text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective October 1, 2026, and applies to all owners
of firearms on or after that date.
new text end