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HF 4967

Policy for theft of public funds, school safety, and emergency vehicles provided; crimes of first-degree murder and impersonating a peace officer modified; new crimes created; firearms policy provided; criminal penalties provided; and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tina Liebling

HF 4967 expands penalties and rules for theft of public funds, enhances school safety, regulates firearms transfers and storage, and funds safety grants and judiciary/public safety

Introduction and first reading, referred to Rules and Legislative Administration
#appropriations #correctionsandcorrectionsdepartment #courts #firearmsanddangerousweapons #governmentaloperations-state #publicsafetydepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 4967

Summary of HF 4967 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

HF 4967 is a multi-issue bill that pursues policy updates and criminal law changes related to theft of public funds, school safety, emergency vehicles, firearms regulation, and related penalties. It also includes budget appropriations for judiciary, public safety, and corrections, plus authorizes rulemaking.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a comprehensive policy framework addressing:
    • Theft of public funds
    • School safety and all-hazards emergency planning
    • Regulation and enforcement related to firearms, including licensed transfers, background checks, storage, and assault weapons
    • Enhanced public safety infrastructure (courthouses, safety centers)
  • Modify certain existing crimes (notably first-degree murder and impersonating a peace officer) and create new offenses as part of an integrated safety approach.
  • Reallocate and authorize funding for judiciary security, public safety operations, school safety, threat assessment, and financial crimes.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Policy and Crimes

  • Article 3 and 4 introduce policy and statutory changes affecting:
    • Authorized emergency vehicles and operator-permit requirements
    • Decommissioning of marked law enforcement vehicles
    • First-degree murder definitions (expanded list of triggering circumstances and crime conditions; effective August 1, 2026 for crimes committed on/after that date)
    • Impersonating a public safety officer (new framework with misdemeanor and felony levels)
    • Theft of public funds (new or revised statutory framework with defined acts and graduated penalties)
    • Public nuisance related to firearm industry activities (civil and criminal remedies)

B. Firearms and Safety Regulations

  • Expanded and clarified penalties for possession on school property (dangerous weapons), with exemptions for certain authorized persons and contexts.
  • Revisions to transfer and background-check requirements for pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons:
    • Permit-based transfers; transfer reports; and waiting periods with potential waivers for emergencies
    • Background checks conducted by licensed dealers when appropriate
    • Record-keeping requirements for transfers (10-year retention; digital admissibility)
    • Strong penalties for unlawful transfers, false statements, and prohibited possessors
  • Large-capacity magazine definition introduced; several sections update possession restrictions, background checks, and transfer rules.
  • Enhanced penalties and frameworks for violations involving assault weapons, with new prohibitions and definitions of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons.

C. School Safety and Emergency Grants

  • Creation of a School Safety Grant Program under the Minnesota School Safety Center:
    • All-hazards approach to safety (natural, technological, and human-caused threats)
    • Grant outcomes include safety plans, staff training, improved coordination, risk mitigation, and recovery capacity
    • Eligible applicants include all K-12 public and nonpublic schools, including Tribal or charter schools
    • Grant administration includes competitive, transparent processes with prioritization for higher-need schools
    • On-site security assessments, equipment, training, and emergency communication tools are fundable
    • Not subject to usual Chapter 14 rulemaking procedures

D. Funding and Appropriations

  • Article 1 and Article 2 outline appropriations for:
    • Supreme Court security and courthouse initiatives
    • Public safety administration and a one-time extreme risk protection order awareness campaign
    • Emergency management, including the School Safety Grant Program and the Minnesota School Safety Center
    • Incarceration and prerelease services (modest increases starting FY 2028-2029)
    • A permission for BCA-related security fencing at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension site (permit exemption)

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Government entities responsible for public safety, judiciary operations, and corrections.
  • Law enforcement agencies, schools (public, nonpublic, and Tribal), school boards, and local emergency management.
  • Individuals, especially in areas of firearms ownership, transfer, storage, and school property presence.
  • Firearm industry members (manufacturers, distributors, retailers) through new nuisance-related provisions and controls.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date for several criminal provisions: August 1, 2026 (crimes committed on/after that date).
  • School safety grants have a defined implementation window with a one-time grant appropriation available through 2029.
  • Repeals and codifications are proposed to update cross-referenced statutes; several sections repeal or amend existing statute provisions.

Note: This summary focuses on substantive changes and budgetary implications. For precise language and full cross-references, consult HF 4967’s official text and enacted amendments.

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

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