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SF 3376

Certain exonerated individuals preliminary monetary damages payment authorization provision, exoneration compensation account in the special revenue fund establishment provision, and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Latz

Creates a state Exoneration Compensation Account and authorizes preliminary monetary payments to qualifying exonerated individuals.

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety
#appropriations #legalproceedings #publicsafetyandpublicsafetydepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 3376

Summary of SF 3376 (2025)

Overview

SF 3376 is a Minnesota Senate bill introduced on April 10, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety committees. It is designed to address compensation for certain exonerated individuals through a set of provisions: (1) authorization for preliminary monetary damages payments to qualifying exonerated persons, (2) creation of an Exoneration Compensation Account within the Special Revenue Fund, and (3) an appropriation to fund these measures. A companion House bill is HF 3000.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a pathway for providing monetary compensation to individuals who have been exonerated.
  • Create a dedicated funding mechanism (an Exoneration Compensation Account) in the state’s Special Revenue Fund to manage these payments.
  • Authorize an appropriation to support preliminary damages payments and the new account, signaling a state-level commitment to compensate wrongful exoneration cases.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title and summary)

  • Preliminary Monetary Damages Payment Authorization: A provision permitting early or interim monetary payments to certain exonerated individuals prior to final resolutions, settlements, or determinations related to their exoneration claims.
  • Exoneration Compensation Account: Establishment of a new account within the state’s Special Revenue Fund dedicated to funds for exoneration compensation. This would create a separate budgetary vehicle to track and administer payments.
  • Appropriation: Inclusion of an appropriation (i.e., authorization of spending) to fund the Exoneration Compensation Account and the preliminary payment mechanism. The exact funding amount and source (e.g., General Fund, Special Revenue allocations) are not specified in the information provided.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Individuals exonerated from criminal convictions who qualify for compensation under the bill.
  • state agencies responsible for administering compensation and payments (likely including entities within the judiciary and public safety framework, and possibly the Department of Public Safety, given the bill’s subject matter).
  • The state budget and treasury, due to the creation of a dedicated account and the associated appropriation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: April 10, 2025.
  • First action: Introduction and first reading on the same date.
  • Committee referrals: Judiciary and Public Safety.
  • Status: Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (as of the information provided).
  • Related legislation: HF 3000 (house companion).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Fiscal impact: Creation of a dedicated Exoneration Compensation Account and an appropriation implies a direct state budgetary commitment; the size of the appropriation and its effect on current appropriations would depend on the eventual fiscal note and budget negotiations.
  • Administrative process: The bill would establish processes for determining eligibility, issuing preliminary payments, and administering the new account.
  • Policy implications: Signals a proactive state approach to remedy wrongful exonerations, with potential impacts on victims’ rights and public safety agencies’ practices.

Next Steps for Interested Readers

  • Review the full text of SF 3376 on the Minnesota Legislature website to understand eligibility criteria, payment schedules, caps, and administrative procedures.
  • Compare with HF 3000 (the companion bill) for House actions and potential differences.
  • Monitor committee hearings for amendments, fiscal notes, and voting outcomes.

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

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