SF 4990

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/08/2026 09:32 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; eliminating requirement for counties to fund ARMER
network expansion; establishing state funding for public safety radio
communications infrastructure; establishing framework for collaboration and
interoperability across law enforcement jurisdictions; requiring reports; authorizing
rulemaking; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section
403.21, by adding subdivisions; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 403.

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

Section 1. new text begin SHORT TITLE.
new text end

new text begin This act may be cited as the "Minnesota Public Safety Radio Communications Funding
and Interoperability Act."
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 403.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Cost-share arrangement. new text end

new text begin "Cost-share arrangement" means a funding
mechanism whereby the state and participating local jurisdictions share the costs of public
safety communications infrastructure according to a predetermined formula.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 403.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Interoperability. new text end

new text begin "Interoperability" means the ability of public safety agencies
to communicate with each other in real time using voice and data systems and exchange
and use information on demand.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 403.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Network expansion. new text end

new text begin "Network expansion" means the acquisition, construction,
installation, upgrading, or enhancement of communications towers, equipment, infrastructure,
or technology related to the ARMER network or other public safety radio communications
systems.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 403.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 7b. new text end

new text begin Public safety agency. new text end

new text begin "Public safety agency" means any federal, state, local,
or Tribal agency providing law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, emergency
management, or public works services.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [403.265] STATE FUNDING FOR ARMER NETWORK.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Elimination of county funding requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any
other law to the contrary, no county is required to fund, through property taxes or other
local revenue sources, the expansion, enhancement, or maintenance of the ARMER network.
new text end

new text begin (b) This subdivision does not prohibit voluntary participation by counties in cost-share
arrangements as provided in subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Public safety radio communications infrastructure account. new text end

new text begin (a) The public
safety radio communications infrastructure account is created in the special revenue fund
to support the ARMER network and related interoperable communications systems. The
commissioners of public safety and transportation must administer the account in
collaboration with the Statewide Emergency Communications Board.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money in the account consists of money as provided by law, dedicated revenue
sources, and any other money donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the
account.
new text end

new text begin (c) Money in the account must only be used for:
new text end

new text begin (1) capital costs associated with ARMER network expansion and enhancement;
new text end

new text begin (2) maintenance and operational costs of the ARMER network;
new text end

new text begin (3) technology upgrades to ensure system reliability and interoperability;
new text end

new text begin (4) training and technical assistance related to public safety communications; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the Statewide Emergency Communications Board committees.
new text end

new text begin (d) Annually by ......, the commissioner of public safety must provide a report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
public safety detailing account revenues and expenditures and the status of ARMER network
deployment and enhancement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Optional cost-share program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioners of public safety and
transportation, in consultation with the Statewide Emergency Communications Board, may
establish cost-share arrangements with local governments or Tribal governments for specific
network expansion projects.
new text end

new text begin (b) Cost-share arrangements must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be voluntary and based on mutual agreement;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide clear financial benefits to participating local jurisdictions;
new text end

new text begin (3) not require local jurisdictions to contribute more than 25 percent of total project
costs; and
new text end

new text begin (4) include provisions ensuring the state covers ongoing maintenance costs.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Statewide Emergency Communications Board must develop guidelines for
cost-share arrangements, including application procedures, eligible projects, and
cost-allocation formulas.
new text end

new text begin (d) Priority consideration in cost-share arrangements must be given to:
new text end

new text begin (1) projects enhancing interoperability across multiple jurisdictions;
new text end

new text begin (2) underserved areas lacking adequate public safety communications coverage;
new text end

new text begin (3) projects demonstrating regional collaboration; and
new text end

new text begin (4) jurisdictions with demonstrated financial hardship.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1 is effective the day following final enactment.
Subdivisions 2 and 3 are effective July 1, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin STATE FUNDING FOR ARMER NETWORK; IMPLEMENTATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Transition provisions. new text end

new text begin (a) Within 270 days of the effective date of this
section, the commissioner of public safety must:
new text end

new text begin (1) develop a transition plan for assuming financial responsibility for ongoing and planned
projects;
new text end

new text begin (2) review all existing agreements requiring counties to fund ARMER network expansion;
new text end

new text begin (3) negotiate amendments or replacements to such agreements to conform with this
section; and
new text end

new text begin (4) identify any statutory or regulatory changes needed to implement this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) Counties are not required to make any additional capital contributions for ARMER
network expansion after the effective date of this section, provided that counties are
responsible for payments due under existing bonded indebtedness until such obligations are
satisfied or refinanced by the state.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may negotiate with counties to assume outstanding debt obligations
related to ARMER network expansion, subject to available appropriations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Rulemaking authority. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of public safety may adopt rules
to implement state funding for the ARMER network under Minnesota Statutes, section
403.265, including rules governing:
new text end

new text begin (1) administration of the public safety radio communications infrastructure account;
new text end

new text begin (2) cost-share arrangement procedures and formulas;
new text end

new text begin (3) grant application and award processes;
new text end

new text begin (4) reporting requirements for grant recipients; and
new text end

new text begin (5) other matters necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.
new text end

new text begin (b) Rules adopted under this subdivision are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Technical assistance. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety must provide technical
assistance to local jurisdictions on:
new text end

new text begin (1) transitioning to state-funded ARMER network infrastructure;
new text end

new text begin (2) achieving interoperability standards;
new text end

new text begin (3) accessing grant money and cost-share programs;
new text end

new text begin (4) implementing collaborative response protocols; and
new text end

new text begin (5) training personnel on interoperable communications systems.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Coordination with federal agencies. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety must
coordinate with federal agencies to:
new text end

new text begin (1) maximize federal funding opportunities for public safety communications;
new text end

new text begin (2) ensure state systems comply with federal interoperability standards;
new text end

new text begin (3) participate in national public safety communications initiatives; and
new text end

new text begin (4) share best practices with other states and jurisdictions.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS DEDICATED REVENUE
SOURCES; TAX RELIEF; REPORT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Dedicated revenue sources; report. new text end

new text begin (a) The legislature must consider
establishing dedicated revenue sources for the public safety radio communications
infrastructure account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 403.265, which may include
the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) surcharges on telecommunications services;
new text end

new text begin (2) fees;
new text end

new text begin (3) federal grants and matching money;
new text end

new text begin (4) revenue from state asset forfeitures designated for public safety purposes; or
new text end

new text begin (5) other revenue sources deemed appropriate.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of public safety must study potential dedicated revenue sources
for the public safety radio communications infrastructure account established in Minnesota
Statutes, section 403.265, including but not limited to the potential dedicated revenue sources
in paragraph (a), and submit a report of recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over public safety by December
31, 2026.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin County tax relief. new text end

new text begin The legislature recognizes that counties will realize significant
property tax relief as a result of eliminating the requirement to fund ARMER network
expansion under Minnesota Statutes, section 403.265, subdivision 1. Therefore, counties
are encouraged to reinvest cost savings into local public safety priorities, including but not
limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) law enforcement personnel and equipment;
new text end

new text begin (2) crime prevention and community policing programs;
new text end

new text begin (3) mental health crisis response services;
new text end

new text begin (4) emergency management capabilities; or
new text end

new text begin (5) other public safety needs identified by the county.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 9. new text begin PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
ACCOUNT; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of public safety for deposit in the public safety radio
communications infrastructure account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 403.265.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes must renumber the subdivisions in Minnesota Statutes, section
403.21, so that the terms appear in alphabetical order and make necessary cross-reference
changes consistent with the renumbering.
new text end