House passes, Senate amends $7.8M in funding for police response to civil unrest

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday that would make $7.8 million in funding available to support law enforcement agencies responding to potential civil unrest.

The bill was passed with a 107-25 vote in the House, with the Senate amending the bill and passing it with a 52-15 vote tally. Next for the HF729 bill will be Gov. Tim Walz’s desk, who has indicated he will sign it.

"We’re grateful to the Walz-Flanagan administration for working with the National Guard, State Patrol, and law enforcement partners here in Minnesota and in other states to ensure we had the resources needed to keep our communities safe," said Rep. Brian Johnson, R-Cambridge, Republican Lead on the House Public Safety Committee.

Originally requested by the governor, the bill would appropriate $1.5 million in fiscal year 2021 "for costs directly attributable to requesting additional public safety assistance for civil unrest through the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact." An additional $6.3 million would be appropriated in fiscal year 2021 from the General Fund to pay for state trooper and DNR conservation officer expenses related to civil unrest, including costs "arising from restoring or maintaining civil order," according to the bill.

All 25 votes against the bill were DFL members, 23 of whom are from the Twin Cities area. Some of those members have previously said they oppose more law enforcement funding that does not also include police reform and accountability measures. Republican support for the bill was unanimous.