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HF 4944

Investigative specialist grant program established, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Johnson and 1 co-sponsor

The bill creates a one-time $2 million grant program to hire, train, and deploy non‑sworn investigative specialists to assist detectives and improve crime solving rates.

Author added Virnig
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Bill Summary · HF 4944

Summary of HF 4944 (2025-2026) – Investigative Specialist Grant Program Established, and Money Appropriated

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes the Investigative Specialist Grant Program within Minnesota’s public safety framework.
  • Provides a one-time appropriation to fund hiring, training, and retention of investigative specialists in law enforcement agencies.
  • Aims to increase the rate at which offenses are solved and to improve support for crime victims.

Key Provisions and Changes

Funding

  • Appropriation: $2,000,000 in FY 2027 from the General Fund to the Commissioner of Public Safety for the grant program.
  • This is a one-time appropriation (not ongoing funding).

Grant Administration and Eligibility

  • Grants awarded to law enforcement agencies as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (f).
  • Individual grant cap: Up to $250,000 per applicant.
  • Prioritization criteria for awarding grants:
    1. Agencies with disproportionately high unsolved crime rates.
    2. Agencies identifying inadequate staffing as a major obstacle to solving crimes.
    3. Agencies presenting a plan to use investigative specialists to increase solved crimes.
    4. Agencies providing evidence of a commitment to increasing the crime-solution rate.
    5. Agencies detailing specific goals and performance metrics for investigative specialists’ effectiveness.

Authorized Uses of Grant Funds

Grants must be used to:
- Create recruiting protocols and a job description for investigative specialists.
- Develop a procedure manual for investigative specialists.
- Hire investigative specialists.
- Create training programs and train individuals hired as investigative specialists.
- Supervise and support investigative specialists.

Role and Restrictions of Investigative Specialists

  • Investigative specialists hired through the program will provide administrative and investigative support to detectives and investigative supervisors.
  • Training required for investigative specialists must cover confidentiality requirements and other relevant policies.
  • The position is designated to not be a peace officer:
    • An investigative specialist must not be identified as a peace officer.
    • They must not exercise powers and duties exclusive to peace officers (per Minnesota Statutes).

Reporting and Oversight

  • Grant recipients must report to the Commissioner of Public Safety on the use and impact of investigative specialists.
  • Required reporting timeline:
    • Six months after the grant is awarded to the agency.
    • At the end of the grant period.
  • Minimum reporting contents:
    • Number of investigative specialists hired.
    • Description of training provided.
    • Summary of acts performed by the specialists.
    • Description of the impact on solving crimes.

Who Is Affected

  • Law enforcement agencies in Minnesota eligible to apply for the grants.
  • Investigative specialists hired under the program (non-psuedo peace officers) and their supervisors.
  • Victims of crime, indirectly, through improved investigation and case clearance rates.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and first reading occurred April 13, 2026; referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
  • Approved as a one-time appropriation for FY 2027; exact effective date follows passage and signing into law.
  • Reporting deadlines: six months after grant award and at grant conclusion.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes objective performance metrics to assess effectiveness.
  • The one-time nature of the funding suggests consideration for extending or renewing the program would come in future legislation or supplemental appropriations.
  • The program targets gaps in case clearance rates and victim support by adding non-sworn investigative staff support and structured training.

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

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