Panel advances bill to recognize emergency managers as essential job class

The House committee recommended referral March 26 of House File 3691, a bipartisan bill that would add emergency managers to Minnesota’s list of essential job classes.

Representative Running presented the measure and said the change would create consistency across jurisdictions and support recruitment and professional recognition. Aaron Hughes, identified as an emergency manager from Stearns County, told the committee emergency managers coordinate preparedness and response across police, fire, public health and other partners and perform continuous readiness work year‑round.

A second county emergency management director (name not stated in the transcript) echoed those points, emphasizing planning, exercises, grant management and interagency coordination. Members praised the measure as a straightforward fix to recognize a long-standing, professionalized role.

The committee voted to recommend referral to the Public Safety, Finance and Policy Committee for further consideration; no appropriation or statutory text changes beyond the addition of the job classification were adopted in committee.