House OKs controversial bill to crack down on protest organizers

Prosecutors could hold organizations that recruit, train or aid an individual arrested for damaging oil pipelines, railways, airports and other “critical infrastructure” both civilly and criminally liable for those individuals’ actions, under a bill passed Saturday by the House.

Proponents said the bill comes in response to climate-change activists who attempted to shut down an oil pipeline in Clearbrook by turning off a valve station. By cutting off the oil supply, bill supporters said the protesters endangered workers and could have done environmental damage.

The House passed the bill, HF3693/SF3463* 77-46 after an 11-minute debate, sending it to Gov. Mark Dayton. The Senate passed the bill, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Smith (R-Maple Grove) and Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids), May 7 on a 37-28 vote.

A handful of DFLers joined the Republican majority in supporting the bill.

Detractors called it a “bad bill” “meant to scare people,” saying it would implicate labor unions and “people who fight back” – and sometimes bad actors take destructive action.

“Look beyond what this bill says it does and really look at what it really does,” Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL-Mpls) said, calling it “another mean-spirited bill put forward by the majority.”

While Dayton hasn’t specifically spoken to this legislation, the governor publicly said he’s willing to look at a similar bill, HF390, which increases penalties against individual protesters blocking freeways and rail lines. That bill awaits his action.