HF 3136

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/27/2023 01:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; appropriating money for grants to county attorneys to
reduce violent crime and criminal case backlogs; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin COUNTY ATTORNEY CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $30,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of public safety for the Office of Justice Programs to award grants to county
attorneys to prosecute violent crimes and reduce criminal case backlogs. Grant recipients
may use the funds to hire and train additional attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and other
support staff, and purchase needed equipment and supplies.
new text end

new text begin (b) A county attorney may apply to the commissioner for a grant on a form provided by
the commissioner. The applicant shall describe the intended uses of the funds, estimate the
amount of funds required, and include any other information required by the commissioner.
The commissioner shall give priority to applicants who prosecute criminal cases in counties
that have higher violent crime rates and residents with lower socioeconomic status than the
state average.
new text end

new text begin (c) On or before July 1, 2025, a county attorney grant recipient shall submit a report to
the commissioner describing how the grant funds were spent, the purpose of the expenditures,
and the success rate in reducing violent crimes and criminal case backlogs. On or before
September 1, 2025, the commissioner of public safety shall report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over criminal justice policy
and funding on the implementation, administration, and results of the grant program.
new text end

new text begin (d) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.
new text end