STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-SECOND 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 3:03 PM on April 8, 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
GREENMAN, Emma
HARDER, Bobbie
HOLLINS, Athena
JOHNSON, Pete
KNUDSEN, Krista
PINTO, Dave
REHM, Lucy
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHWARTZ, Erica
STIER, Terry
TABKE, Brad
WARWAS, Cal
A quorum was present.
Representative Stier moved to approve the minutes of April 7, 2026. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3753 (Bakeberg) School safety threat assessment pilot project established, report required, and money appropriated.
Chair Novotny moved HF 3753 before the committee.
Representative Bakeberg presented HF 3753.
Testifiers:
• Dr. Timothy Childs, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, MWave/ Guardian School Security Systems
• Carrie Johnson, Clinical Social Worker
• Rev. Alfred Babington, President & CEO of Stair Step Foundation
Public Testimony:
• Maren Christenson Hofer, Multicultural Autism Action Network
• John Boehler, Policy Counsel, ACLU – Minnesota
• Khulia F. Pringle, S.T.A.N.D. UP Community Organizer
• Erin Sandsmark, Solutions Not Suspensions
• Marika Pfefferkorn, NOTICE Coalition
Chair Novotny laid over HF 3753.
HF 4299 (Stier) Additional school safety specialists funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Stier moved HF 4299 before the committee.
Representative Stier presented HF 4299.
Testifier:
• Allison Farole, Department of Public Safety Homeland and Security Emergency Management Division Director
• Paul Winkelaar, Lobbyist, Education Minnesota
Chair Novotny laid over HF 4299.
HF 4700 (Stier) Peace officer training reimbursement funding increased.
Representative Stier moved HF 4700 before the committee.
Representative Stier presented HF 4700.
Testifiers:
• John DeGeorge, Fillmore County Sheriff
• Jay Henthorne, Richfield Chief and President of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association
• Valerie Castile
• Eric Messelt, Director of the POST Board
Chair Novotny laid over HF 4700.
HF 4282 (Witte) Persons detained in jails provided medications.
Chair Novotny moved HF 4282 back before the committee.
Vice Chair Witte moved the HF 4282 DE 1 amendment before the committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifiers:
• Dan Guida, Aitkin County Sheriff
• Safia Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Corrections
Vice Chair Witte presented HF 4282, as amended.
Chair Novotny laid over HF 4282, as amended.
HF 4139 (Novotny) Community corrections employee benefits clarified.
Vice Chair Witte assumed the gavel at 4:23 p.m.
Vice Chair Witte moved HF 4139 before the committee.
Chair Novotny moved the HF 4139 A1 amendment before the committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Novotny presented HF 4139, as amended.
Testifiers:
• Mike MacMillan, Director of Wright County Probation and Court Services
• Safia Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Corrections
• Devin Bruce, Director of Legislative and Political Affairs, MAPE
Vice Chair Witte laid over HF 4139, as amended.
HF 3530 (Duran) Beltrami County exempted from cost-share requirement for state disaster assistance.
Chair Novotny assumed the gavel at 4:41p.m.
Chair Novotny moved HF 3530 before the committee.
Representative Duran moved the HF 3530 A1 amendment before the committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Duran presented HF 3530, as amended.
Testifiers:
• Jorge Prince, Bemidji Mayor
• Tom Barry, Beltrami County Administrator (via zoom)
• Chris Muller, Beltrami County Emergency Management Director (via zoom)
Chair Novotny laid over HF 3530, as amended.
HF 4031 (Robbins) Minnesota correctional industries program modified.
Chair Novotny moved HF 4031 before the committee.
Chair Novotny moved the HF 4031 A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Robbins presented HF 4031, as amended.
Testifiers:
• Safia Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Corrections
• Katherine Theisen, Deputy Legislative Auditor, Special Reviews Division, Office of Legislative Auditor
Chair Novotny laid over HF 4031, as amended.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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Representative Paul Novotny, Co-Chair
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Mary McNamara, Committee Legislative Assistant