Conference committee approves public safety and safety-and-security budget agreements

The conference committee on Senate File 3432 voted May 15, 2026, to approve conference agreements covering the public safety and judiciary budget and a separate safety and security package, then directed nonpartisan staff to prepare a conference committee report reflecting the approved language.

The agreements, posted as a one‑page spreadsheet for members and the public, include line‑item appropriations and grants for public safety programs and judicial security, plus several policy provisions adopted or carried into the conference report. Fiscal staff summarized funding for multiple accounts and programs, and committee members approved both agreements by voice vote with no recorded roll call.

At issue in the fiscal review were grant and appropriation lines for the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections, estimates of bed impacts from newly amended offenses, increases to peace officer training reimbursements, and transfers to the victims of crime account. John Wall, House fiscal staff, walked members through the public safety and judiciary spreadsheet and identified multiple specific line items, including non‑fatal shooting clearance grants, a domestic violence task force line, trafficking prevention and juvenile reentry service grants, and a roughly $12 million transfer to the victims of crime account in fiscal 2027. Mr. Wall said the spreadsheet lists the Department of Public Safety totals for the 2026‑27 biennium.

Committee staff and counsel also described policy language to be included in the bill. Mr. Johnson told members "the vast majority of the provisions that are policy are reflected on the spreadsheet," and then listed measures to be carried in the legislation: a task force on improving responses to domestic violence crimes; trafficking and sexual exploitation prevention grants for youth; juvenile reentry services grants; the Minnesota clearance grant program; funding for the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund; a Clemency Review Commission change to make victim statements confidential when provided to that commission; an amendment to fourth‑degree assault adding hospital or clinic security guards; an enhanced penalty for theft from a vulnerable adult; and three provisions related to child sexual abuse materials, including venue changes and limited preview of electronic evidence. The conference report also will carry re‑adopted, slightly amended language related to a ban on prediction markets and the attorney general's administrative subpoena authority, which staff said had attracted stakeholder concerns and small changes.

On the safety and security side, Mr. Ross walked members through judicial security and courthouse grants, State Patrol and Capitol security items, and legislative security reimbursements. Staff said the package reached its target funding level for the biennium and includes a provision granting the Department of Natural Resources carryforward authority for certain non‑grant operating funds used for unbudgeted public safety costs in 2026.

The committee opened the floor for public testimony on the public safety budget and the safety and security package; no members of the public testified. Senator Lats moved adoption of the public safety budget agreement and the motion was approved by voice vote. Senator DiVall moved adoption of the safety and security budget agreement and that motion was also approved by voice vote. The chair then directed nonpartisan staff to prepare the conference committee report and empowered staff to make technical and conforming changes necessary to reflect the committee's intent; members were asked to watch their email for the report and to sign when it became available.

"I just really want to take a minute to thank everybody who worked so long and hard all session," the chair said near adjournment, and added that the meeting was her last time presiding with the gavel. The committee adjourned after approving both agreements.