Committee refers bill to expand expedited eviction protections for apartment staff and visitors

Vice Chair Dotseth presented House File 3809 to the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee and moved to refer the bill to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law.

"House file 3809 is a bill for apartment worker safety that will protect maintenance workers, property managers, landscapers, postal workers, and visitors to the properties," Vice Chair Dotseth said. The bill would allow housing providers to file for an expedited eviction process when a resident’s conduct seriously endangers the safety of people on the property other than other residents.

Supporters described on-the-ground safety concerns. Kathy Bennett, executive director of the Twin Cities Housing Alliance, urged advancement of the bill and recounted incidents—including an alleged hostage situation and arson at an affordable property—that she said show the law’s limits where victims are not residents. Melissa Taphorn of the Washington County Community Development Agency read part of a public statement describing an incident she said occurred on 06/30/2025 involving a juvenile in distress and alleged sexual exploitation; she said HRAs collectively own an estimated 35,000 rental homes and that the change would protect staff, vendors and guests.

Brandon Englum, general counsel for the Housing Authority of Minnesota, said the change would tighten timelines in rare but volatile cases without shortening statutory notice requirements, and that courts already have safeguards against abusive filings. Laura Russ of Aon, a nonprofit affordable housing provider, described incidents where quicker action could have kept staff and service providers safe and urged the committee to adopt the tool.

Legal Aid's Ron Elwood said the organization supports the bill's goal but asked for tightened, specific language to avoid unintended consequences—urging the committee to identify property managers and set standards for imminent danger (weapons, credible threats) to reduce the risk of misuse. Michael Dahl of Homeline urged caution and recommended narrowing the language so the statute clearly defines "persons on the property" and protects tenants' rights when eviction timelines are shortened.

Members debated guardrails and stakeholder engagement. Representative Kozlowski raised concerns that broad language could be weaponized through racial profiling or result in long-term eviction records that affect voucher eligibility; Representative Norris, a co-author, supported the bill's purpose but asked that amendments be drafted before the bill advances. Vice Chair Dotseth and members committed to working with Legal Aid and tenant advocates on amendments in Judiciary.

The committee voted to refer HF3809 to the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee by voice vote; the transcript records the motion prevailing but does not record individual tallies. Vice Chair Dotseth said filers will be required to submit a sworn affidavit with factual assertions, a safeguard he said would limit improper filings.

The bill moves to Judiciary for additional drafting and possible amendment.