SF 4819

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/26/2026 09:20 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to civil liability; including claims arising out of a no-cost contract with a
nonprofit organization in the state and municipality tort claims liability limitations;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 3.736, subdivision 4; 466.04,
subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.736, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Limits.

The total liability of the state and its employees acting within the scope
of their employment on any tort claim shall not exceed:

(a) $300,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $300,000
to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising before August 1, 2007;

(b) $400,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $400,000
to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after August 1, 2007, and before
July 1, 2009;

(c) $500,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $500,000
to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009;

(d) $750,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after January 1, 1998, and before January 1, 2000;

(e) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after January 1, 2000, and before January 1, 2008;

(f) $1,200,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after January 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009;

(g) $1,500,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after July 1, 2009; or

(h) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, if the claim
involves a nonprofit organization engaged in or administering outdoor recreational activities
funded in whole or in part by the state deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end operating under the authorization of a permit
issued by an agency or department of the state new text begin , or operating pursuant to a no-cost contract
with an agency or department of the state. For purposes of this subdivision, a "no-cost
contract" is a contract between an agency or department of the state and a nonprofit
organization where the nonprofit organization provides goods or services to the agency or
department at no cost to the state new text end .

If the amount awarded to or settled upon multiple claimants exceeds the applicable limit
under clause (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h), any party may apply to the district court to apportion
to each claimant a proper share of the amount available under the applicable limit under
clause (d), (e), (f), or (g). The share apportioned to each claimant shall be in the proportion
that the ratio of the award or settlement bears to the aggregate awards and settlements for
all claims arising out of the occurrence.

The limitation imposed by this subdivision on individual claimants includes damages
claimed for loss of services or loss of support arising out of the same tort.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 466.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Limits; punitive damages.

(a) Liability of any municipality on any claim
within the scope of sections 466.01 to 466.15 shall not exceed:

(1) $300,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $300,000
to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising before January 1, 2008;

(2) $400,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $400,000
to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after January 1, 2008, and before
July 1, 2009;

(3) $500,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $500,000
to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009;

(4) $750,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after January 1, 1998, and before January 1, 2000;

(5) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after January 1, 2000, and before January 1, 2008;

(6) $1,200,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after January 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009;

(7) $1,500,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims
arising on or after July 1, 2009;

(8) twice the limits provided in clauses (1) to (7) when the claim arises out of the release
or threatened release of a hazardous substance, whether the claim is brought under sections
115B.01 to 115B.15 or under any other law; or

(9) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, if the claim
involves a nonprofit organization engaged in or administering outdoor recreational activities
funded in whole or in part by a municipality deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end operating under the authorization of a permit
issued by a municipality new text begin , or operating pursuant to a no-cost contract with a municipality.
For purposes of this subdivision, a "no-cost contract" is a contract between a municipality
and a nonprofit organization where the nonprofit organization provides goods or services
to the municipality at no cost to the municipality new text end .

(b) No award for damages on any such claim shall include punitive damages.