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SF 4569

Campfire maintenance law violation designation as a payable offense prohibition provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Farnsworth and 2 co-sponsors

Designates certain campfire maintenance violations as payable offenses with civil monetary penalties to streamline enforcement and reduce court caseload.

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 4569

Summary of SF 4569 (Minnesota), 2025-2026 Session

Overview

SF 4569 is a Minnesota bill introduced in March 2026 that addresses campfire-related offenses by designating certain violations as payable offenses. The bill appears to target maintenance-related violations tied to campfires and creates a mechanism to impose monetary penalties (payable offenses) rather than traditional criminal penalties for those specific conduct. The bill has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety committees.

  • Introduction & action: Introduced and read for first time on March 18, 2026.
  • Referral: Judiciary and Public Safety committees.
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsors include Grant Hauschild, Rob Farnsworth, and Rob Kupec.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to regulate campfire maintenance and related activities by classifying certain violations as payable offenses. A payable offense typically means the violation can be addressed via a civil monetary penalty rather than criminal sanctions, subject to statutory procedures (e.g., notice, adjudication, and payment timelines) defined in the bill.
  • The underlying intent is likely to provide a streamlined, less severe enforcement mechanism for campfire maintenance issues that pose public safety or environmental concerns, while preserving due process and the ability to collect penalties.

Key Provisions (as described by the bill’s title and typical structure of payable-offense designations)

  • Designation of payable offense: Specifies that certain campfire maintenance violations are payable offenses. This typically involves:
    • A defined list or categories of violations related to campfire maintenance (e.g., failure to extinguish a campfire, improper disposal of ashes, leaving a campfire unattended, burning prohibited materials, or violations of fire restrictions).
    • A monetary penalty amount for each listed violation.
  • Notice and adjudication process: Outline of procedures to issue notices of payable offenses, respond to challenges, and enforce payment. This may include:
    • A citation or notice period.
    • A right to contest the payable offense in a designated proceeding or through a judge or administrative process.
    • Possible administrative or judicial review steps.
  • Payment and penalties: Details on how penalties are paid, potential late fees, and whether penalties can be dismissed or reduced based on compliance or mitigation.
  • Enforcement: Provisions for collection mechanisms, potential suspension of privileges (e.g., campground access), and enforcement by peace officers or inspectors.
  • Limitations and protections: Any caps, exemptions (e.g., for certain individuals or incidents), or conditions under which a payable offense cannot be imposed (e.g., if it would cause disproportionate hardship).

Affected Parties

  • Individuals and organizations engaging in camping activities on public or private land where campfires are regulated under state law. This includes campers, campground operators, and event organizers.
  • Enforcement agencies (likely law enforcement, public safety officers, and local authorities) responsible for issuing notices, collecting penalties, and enforcing payable offenses.
  • Judicial/administrative bodies designated to adjudicate disputes or challenges to payable offenses.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction date: March 18, 2026.
  • Committee referrals: Judiciary and Public Safety, which suggests a focus on legal process, enforcement, and public safety implications.
  • Next steps (typical): If advanced, the bill would proceed through additional committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the chamber. If enacted, the payable-offense framework would be implemented according to the bill’s effective date provisions (not specified in the available information).

Potential Impact

  • Enforcement efficiency: A payable-offense designation could speed up enforcement and reduce court caseload for minor campfire maintenance violations.
  • Public safety: By clarifying penalties for unsafe campfire practices, the bill could improve compliance with fire safety regulations.
  • Financial penalties: Provides a predictable monetary remedy for violators, with revenue potential directed to the applicable state or local safety programs (subject to bill’s revenue provisions).

Note: The summary is based on the bill title and action history. The full text would provide precise statutory language, specific violation categories, penalty amounts, notice procedures, and the exact fiscal and enforcement mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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