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SF 4977

Clemency Review Commission and Board of Pardons procedures expansion and clarification

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Foung Hawj

The bill standardizes and clarifies clemency review processes to increase transparency, fairness, and efficiency in how the Clemency Review Commission, Board of Pardons, and relate

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety
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Bill Summary · SF 4977

Summary of SF 4977 (Minnesota) – Clemency Review Commission and Board of Pardons Procedures Expansion and Clarification

Overview

SF 4977, introduced in the 2025-2026 Minnesota legislative session, aims to expand and clarify the procedures governing clemency reviews, the Clemency Review Commission, and the Board of Pardons. The bill is authored with bipartisan consideration and has a listed co-sponsor, Foung Hawj. It was introduced and assigned to the Judiciary and Public Safety committees on April 7, 2026.

Purpose and Intent

  • To enhance transparency, efficiency, and fairness in clemency processes.
  • To expand the role and authority of the Clemency Review Commission and clarify the interactions with the Board of Pardons.
  • To standardize procedural timelines and decision-making criteria related to clemency recommendations and pardon grants.

Key Provisions and Changes (Subject to bill text)

Note: The following points summarize the typical areas such bills address. For precise language, refer to the official bill text.

  1. Clemency Review Commission (CRC) – Expansion and Functions

    • Potential expansion of CRC membership or appointment processes to improve representation and expertise.
    • Clarification of procedural duties, such as how cases are reviewed, what factors must be considered, and how evidence and new information are handled.
    • Requirements for meeting cadence, public reporting, and record-keeping.

  2. Board of Pardons – Procedures and Interaction with CRC

    • Clarification of the procedural relationship between the CRC and the Board of Pardons.
    • Possible delineation of responsibilities in recommending clemency vs. granting pardons.
    • Standards or guidelines for evaluating clemency requests (e.g., eligibility criteria, post-conviction conduct, rehabilitation indicators).

  3. Timelines and Process Compliance

    • Establishment or reinforcement of timelines for case processing, docketing, and decision-making.
    • Deadlines for submitting recommendations to the Board, and for Board action on clemency petitions.

  4. Transparency and Public Access

    • Provisions for public notices, summaries of recommendations, and access to non-confidential records.
    • Possible implementation of reporting requirements to state authorities or the public regarding clemency activity.

  5. Administrative and Administrative-Rule Updates

    • Clarifications to existing statutory language to reduce ambiguity.
    • Alignment with other criminal justice or executive clemency provisions to ensure coherent operation.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Individuals seeking clemency or pardons, including petitions pending before the CRC or Board of Pardons.
  • Members and staff of the Clemency Review Commission.
  • The Minnesota Board of Pardons and its staff.
  • Related state agencies involved in record-keeping, legal standards, and administrative procedures.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill reflects an introduction and referral to the Judiciary and Public Safety committees, suggesting initial legislative scrutiny and potential committee hearings.
  • If enacted, the changes could alter the cadence of clemency review, with new or clarified deadlines for reviews, recommendations, and final Board decisions.
  • Possible transitional provisions to implement changes for ongoing cases.

Potential Impacts

  • Increased clarity and consistency in how clemency requests are evaluated.
  • Improved transparency regarding clemency processes and outcomes.
  • Enhanced capability of the CRC to provide informed recommendations to the Board of Pardons.
  • Potentially faster or more predictable timelines for petitioners, depending on adopted timelines.

If you have access to the full bill text, I can provide a line-by-line analysis of each provision and map them to the sections above for greater precision.

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

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