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After months of negotiations, Minnesota lawmakers have agreed on 

a package of new rules governing law enforcement

The deal includes restrictions on no-knock warrants, on confidential informants and jailhouse witnesses, and on the ability of police to seize suspects’ property. But the bill, negotiated between the Republican-controlled Senate, the DFL-controlled House, and DFL Gov. Tim Walz, doesn’t contain the far-reaching changes that many activists had demanded after recent high-profile deaths at the hands of law enforcement.  

The deal comes as part of a public safety budget for the state of Minnesota. It, and other parts of the state budget, must pass before Thursday, July 1, or unfunded parts of the government will shut down.  

Lawmakers reach a bipartisan agreement on police reform

Most other parts of the state budget have been negotiated and are on the path to passage. The only major unresolved issue now is an 

end to Tim Walz’s COVID-19 emergency powers

The deal, announced late Saturday evening, includes several significant changes to the rules governing law enforcement in Minnesota. Among the provisions in the 223-page bill: 

A number of provisions that DFL lawmakers and activists had pushed for didn’t make it into the final bill, including a limit on “pretextual stops” where police pull over motorists for minor violations such as expired plates or objects hanging from the rearview mirror, or requiring early release of body camera footage when law enforcement officers use deadly force. 

DFL lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the final compromise with Senate Republicans.  

“It's a great disappointment to me,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul. “It should be a great disappointment to the House. There were a number of common-sense proposals [not included].” 

Senate Republican leader Paul Gazelka had resisted many of the DFL proposals to restrict law enforcement practices, saying they could threaten public safety. He released a statement calling the final bill one of “general, bipartisan agreement.” 

The agreement released this weekend isn’t the final step. The legislation still has to pass both the House and Senate, where dissatisfied lawmakers could vote it down or add unplanned amendments. The measure could face criticism from both sides, with conservatives saying it goes too far and liberals saying it doesn’t go far enough.  

If it passes both chambers, it requires Walz’s signature to become law.  

In addition to a range of new policies, the bill also contains funding for law enforcement agencies and prisons. The normal operation of these agencies would be threatened if lawmakers don’t pass funding by July 1.  

The public safety bill is scheduled for a debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The Senate hasn’t yet scheduled a floor debate, but will have one in the next few days.

Minnesota News

Crime, Law and Justice

Politics and Government News

NewsPartners

David H. Montgomery

Author

The bipartisan agreement includes restrictions on no-knock warrants, on confidential informants and jailhouse witnesses, and on the ability of police to seize suspects’ property. But the bill doesn’t contain the far-reaching changes that many activists had demanded.

Minnesota lawmakers reach tentative deal on police accountability measures

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