Senate adopts safety and capital-security package, funds victims’ services and creates legislative threat‑assessment unit

The Minnesota Senate approved the conference committee report on Senate File 3432, a comprehensive public safety and safety/security package that consolidates several items including appropriations for nonfatal shooting-investigation grants, support for crime victims, courthouse security grants, capital complex screening and a new coordinated legislative protective services unit.

Sen. John Latz, chairing the debate, described the bill as a pairing of a public safety budget and a safety/security package that funds nonfatal shooting clearance grants, domestic-violence task-force efforts, services for released adults, trafficking prevention for youth, and a $12 million backfill to cover federal cuts to victims’ programs. "Members, the federal Office of Justice Programs cut crime victim funding... this will backfill the hole," he said.

Sen. Scott Dibble explained the package’s legislative and capital security provisions: the bill funds screening at entry points to the Capitol and tunnels, capital security enhancements, and establishes a formal Capital Security Division and a Legislative Services Unit within the State Patrol. The unit will coordinate threat assessments, provide guidance, and—when credible threats exist—coordinate protective services for legislators. "One of the centerpieces of this legislation... is the Legislative Services Unit... tasked with identifying, assessing and investigating and helping mitigate threats against members of the legislature," Sen. Dibble said.

The bill also creates a judicial security grant match program to enhance courthouse safety across the state and sets limits on reimbursement amounts for judicial officials’ security needs. The package received broad floor support and was reported passed by a final roll call of 59 yeas and 8 nays.

Implementation: the State Patrol and BCA will be involved in standing up screening and threat-assessment capacity; a bipartisan task force is established to oversee the new protective services structure and recommend future improvements.