Minneapolis

Minnesota Senate Passes Major Public Safety and Judiciary Bill, Awaits Governor's Signature

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Published on May 20, 2025
Minnesota Senate Passes Major Public Safety and Judiciary Bill, Awaits Governor's SignatureSource: Myotus, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In a close vote of 34-33, the Minnesota Senate has passed a significant judiciary and public safety bill, ushering in a wave of funding and policy changes aimed at improving aspects of public safety and crime response in the state. The bill, known as HF 2432, was approved by the Senate following its passage in the House, and now sits on the governor’s desk, pending signature into law.

Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, played a pivotal role in moving the bill forward. According to a statement obtained by the Senate DFL website, Latz emphasized the focus of the legislation: “This bill is focused on protecting crime victims and seniors, addressing crime, supporting law enforcement and first responders, and making changes that will improve our judicial and public safety systems.” Notably, the bill aims to address operating costs and provide salary adjustments for those working within public safety agencies and the judicial branch.

Significant financial commitments in the bill include state funding directed toward crime victim services, as well as a substantial allocation of over $9 million to the Philando Castile Training Fund. An additional $14 million is drawn from the E911 fund to support ARMER infrastructure, which is critical for emergency response communications.

Policy adjustments under the bill also stand to make a substantial impact. They include the extension of police officer death benefits and the establishment of a task force to examine mandatory minimum sentences. A requirement for law enforcement agencies will now be in place for training and reporting on recovered or confiscated firearms using ETrace, a national tracing system for firearms. These changes represent a commitment to evolving the landscape of public safety and justice in Minnesota.

With the governor's approval, the measures detailed in HF 2432 will soon transform from proposals to active statutes, affecting Minnesota's approach to public safety, sentencing, and crime victim support. This bill represents a critical effort by state lawmakers to refine and strengthen the justice system, and its effects will be watched closely by communities across the state.