HF 2818

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/26/2025 11:32am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing a reimbursement program for law enforcement
agencies that respond to protests and demonstrations at the Capitol complex and
the governor's residence; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin EXTRAORDINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPENSE
REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin This section establishes a reimbursement program for
extraordinary law enforcement expenses incurred while responding to protests at the
Minnesota State Capitol and governor's residence.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Applicant" means any municipal or state law enforcement agency providing services
within the jurisdiction of the Minnesota State Capitol and governor's residence.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Protest" means any public demonstration, march, rally, or gathering exercising first
amendment rights.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible expenses. new text end

new text begin Eligible costs are limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) overtime costs;
new text end

new text begin (2) logistical needs;
new text end

new text begin (3) incidental supplies necessary to respond to the protest;
new text end

new text begin (4) backfill personnel costs incurred; and
new text end

new text begin (5) damaged or destroyed equipment costs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reimbursement process. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must develop application
materials for reimbursement and may update the materials as needed. Application materials
must include instructions and requirements for assistance under this section. These application
materials are not subject to the rulemaking requirements under Minnesota Statutes, chapter
14.
new text end

new text begin (b) An applicant has 60 days from the end of the protest to request reimbursement. The
commissioner may deny a late request. The applicant's request must document:
new text end

new text begin (1) the size, location, and length of the protest;
new text end

new text begin (2) the role the agency played in responding to the protest; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a description of eligible expenses incurred by the agency.
new text end

new text begin (c) An applicant must submit to the commissioner completed claims for payment of
eligible expenses on the forms provided by the commissioner. All eligible expenses claimed
for payment must be documented and consistent with the eligibility provisions of this section.
new text end

new text begin (d) An applicant may submit additional supporting documentation for up to 60 days
after the commissioner's acceptance of the initial request for reimbursement.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner shall review the application and supporting documentation for
completeness and may return the application with a request for more detailed information
or correction of deficiencies. The commissioner may consult with appropriate governmental
officials to ensure the application reflects the extent and magnitude of the protest and to
reconcile any differences. The application is not complete until the commissioner receives
all requested information.
new text end

new text begin (f) If the commissioner returns an application with a request for more detailed information
or for correction of deficiencies, the applicant must resubmit the application with all required
information within 30 days of the applicant's receipt of the commissioner's request. The
applicant's failure to provide the requested information in a timely manner without a
reasonable explanation may be cause for denial of the application.
new text end

new text begin (g) The commissioner must approve or deny an application within 30 days of receipt of
a complete application or the application is deemed approved. If the commissioner approves
an application or the application is automatically deemed approved after 60 days, the
commissioner must provide written notification to the applicant. If the commissioner denies
an application, the commissioner must provide written notice to the applicant of the denial.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Appeal process. new text end

new text begin If the commissioner denies an applicant's claim for payment,
the applicant has 30 days from receipt of the commissioner's determination to appeal in
writing to the commissioner. The appeal must include the applicant's rationale for reversing
the commissioner's determination. The commissioner has 30 days from receipt of the appeal
to uphold or modify the commissioner's determination and formally respond to the applicant.
If no written request for appeal is received, the determination is final. The applicant is
entitled to judicial review under Minnesota Statutes, sections 14.63 to 14.68, in the same
manner that a person aggrieved by a final decision in a contested case is entitled to judicial
review. The commissioner's determination under this section shall be a final decision of the
department for purposes of Minnesota Statutes, sections 14.63 to 14.68.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin Beginning January 15, 2027, the commissioner shall submit an annual
report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over public safety policy and finance on the extraordinary law enforcement
expense reimbursement program. The report must detail the reimbursements awarded,
including the law enforcement agencies that received reimbursement funds and the amount
of each reimbursement award.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EXTRAORDINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPENSE
REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.
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 to fund the extraordinary law enforcement expense
reimbursement program. This amount is added to the agency's base.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective July 1, 2025.
new text end