STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
PUBLIC SAFETY FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Representative Paul Novotny, Chair of the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:01 PM on March 18, 2026, in Room 120 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
NOVOTNY, Paul, Co-Chair
MOLLER, Kelly, Co-Chair
WITTE, Jeff, Vice Chair
FEIST, Sandra, Vice Chair
BERG, Kaela
BLISS, Matt
CURRAN, Brion
DURAN JR, Bidal
ENGEN, Elliott
GREENMAN, Emma
HARDER, Bobbie
HOLLINS, Athena
HUDSON, Walter
JOHNSON, Pete
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
STIER, Terry
TABKE, Brad
A quorum was present.
Representative Engen moved to approve the minutes of March 17, 2026. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3547 (Swedzinski) Manufacture, sale, and use of fireworks regulated; and portion of revenues from the sale of fireworks dedicated to public safety purposes.
Chair Novotny moved HF 3547 before the committee with the recommendation it be re-referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations.
Representative Swedzinski presented HF 3489.
Testifiers:
• Andrew Belland, pyrotechnician
• Andrew Salma, Edina Fire Chief and Minnesota Fire Association Coalition Legislative Committee Vice Chair
Chair Novotny moved the HF 3547 A3 amendment before the committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Novotny renewed his motion that HF 3547, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations.
Representative Bliss requested a roll call vote.
AYES
NOVOTY, Paul
WITTE, Jeff
BLISS, Matt
DURAN JR., Bidal
ENGEN, Elliott
HARDER, Bobbie
HUDSON, Walter
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
NAYS
MOLLER, Kelly
FEIST, Sandra
BERG, Kaela
CURRAN, Brion
GREENMAN, Emma
HOLLINS, Athena
JOHNSON, Pete
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
ABSENT
STIER, Terry
TABKE, Brad
On a vote of 9 AYES and 9 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
HF 3651 (Harder) State Fire Code alcohol-blended fuel equipment compatibility.
Representative Harder moved HF 3651 before the committee with the recommendation it be re-referred to the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee.
Representative Harder presented HF 3651.
Testifiers:
• Joe Sellwood, Minnesota Ethanol Producers Association
• Dan Krier, Minnesota State Fire Marshal
Representative Harder renewed her motion that HF 3651 be re-referred to the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 4043 (Witte) Powers exclusive to law enforcement officers clarified, and authority to investigate the unauthorized practice of law enforcement duties clarified.
Vice Chair Witte moved HF 4043 before the committee with the recommendation it be re-referred to the General Register.
Vice Chair Witte presented HF 4043 before the committee.
Testifiers:
• Jim Michels, police labor attorney
Chair Novotny laid over HF 4043.
HF 4282 (Witte) Persons detained in jails provided medications.
Vice Chair Witte moved HF 4282 before the committee with the recommendation it be re-referred to the General Register.
Vice Chair Witte presented HF 4282.
Testifiers:
• Dan Guida, Aitkin County Sheriff
• Mary Mapes, Family Nurse Practitioner, Mapes Medical
• Paul Schnell, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Corrections
• Christine Hill
Chair Novotny laid over HF 4282.
HF 4095 (Davis) Crime of disruption of worship services established.
Representative Novotny moved HF 4095 before the committee with the recommendation that the bill be re-referred to the General Register.
Chair Novotny moved the HF 4095 A2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Davis presented HF 4095, as amended.
Testifier:
• Gail Holmes
Representative Hudson requested a roll call vote.
Representative Novotny renewed his motion that HF 4095, as amended, be re-referred to the General Register.
The clerk took the roll call.
AYES
NOVOTNY, Paul
WITTE, Jeff
BLISS, Matt
DURAN JR., Bidal
ENGEN, Elliott
HARDER, Bobbie
HUDSON, Walter
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
STIER, Terry
NAYS
MOLLER, Kelly
FEIST, Sandra
BERG, Kaela
GREENMAN, Emma
HOLLINS, Athena
JOHNSON, Pete
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
TABKE, Brad
ABSENT
CURRAN, Brion
On a vote of 10 AYES and 9 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
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Representative Paul Novotny, Co-Chair
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Mary McNamara, Committee Legislative Assistant