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HF 3096

Special peace officer provisions modified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Leigh Finke

The bill requires the state fairgrounds to have sworn, badgeed special peace officers with clear appointment, oath, and authority, providing police service for major events (>=2,50

Introduction and first reading, referred to Agriculture Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 3096

Summary of HF 3096 (2025-2026) — Special Peace Officer Provisions Modified

Purpose

HF 3096 proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes to modify the authority and requirements for special peace officers at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The bill clarifies and adjusts who may appoint officers, the scope of authority, and specific duties during major events at the fairgrounds.

Key Provisions

  • Appointment of Special Peace Officers

    • The secretary or the president of the Minnesota State Society may appoint peace officers in writing, with the appointment signed by either official. -Appointed officers must be those defined as peace officers under Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 626.84, subdivision 1, clause/paragraph clarification).

  • Duties and Authority

    • Appointed peace officers have the same power and authority as peace officers within the fairgrounds, including the authority to arrest for violations of state law or the society’s rules, bylaws, or ordinances.
    • They may summarily remove offenders and their property from the grounds and transport them before a court of competent jurisdiction.

  • Oath of Office

    • Officers must take and subscribe the usual oath of office, which is endorsed on their appointment.

  • Badges and Identification

    • Each peace officer is required to wear an appropriate badge of office while performing duties.

  • Contracting for Police Services

    • The society may contract for police services and protection on the fairgrounds with the state, a county, or a municipality.

  • Major Events Provision (New Threshold)

    • For major events held on the fairgrounds estimated to draw at least 2,500 attendees, the society must provide police service and protection on the fairgrounds and within half a mile of the fairgrounds.

Who Is Affected

  • Minnesota State Society and State Fairgrounds

    • The governing body (secretary or president) gains explicit authority to appoint special peace officers for the fairgrounds.
    • Clarifies the scope of policing during the fair and at major events.

  • Special Peace Officers

    • Individuals appointed as peace officers for the fairgrounds will have defined authority, an oath requirement, a badge requirement, and the ability to remove offenders and refer them to the courts.

  • Public and Attendees at the State Fairgrounds

    • For major events (≥2,500 attendees), enhanced police presence and protection will be provided on-site and within a half-mile radius.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Language and Process

    • The bill specifies that appointments must be in writing and signed by either the secretary or president of the state society.
    • Officers must subscribe to the oath of office at the time of appointment.

  • Event Timeline Trigger

    • The obligation to provide police service and protection within the fairgrounds and near the grounds is triggered for major events anticipated to draw at least 2,500 attendees.

Additional Context

  • The bill includes an accompanying sponsor (Co-sponsor: Leigh Finke) and was introduced on April 3, 2025.
  • It references and updates the existing statute (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 37.20) to reflect these modifications.

Bottom Line

HF 3096 enhances and clarifies the governance and operation of special peace officers at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It formalizes appointment processes, oaths, badges, and the scope of authority, and it ensures that for large events, there is a mandated level of police service and protection within the fairgrounds and a surrounding radius.

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

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