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Bill Summary · HF 5019

Summary of HF 5019 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 5019 proposes to establish a formal program of school safety grants administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), specifically through its School Safety Center. The overarching goal is to enhance safety for students and staff in qualifying schools by funding safety-related projects and improvements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Program administration

    • The DPS School Safety Center would administer the school safety grants.
    • The program design involves coordination with the Minnesota Department of Education (ODE) to align safety efforts with educational standards and policies.

  • Qualifying schools (eligible recipients)

    • Eligible institutions include:
    • School districts
    • Charter schools
    • Cooperative units (as defined in Minnesota Statutes, § 123A.24, subd. 2)
    • Tribal contract schools
    • Nonpublic schools
    • Grants are available to any school operated by one of the above entities.

  • Use of funds

    • Grants must be used for items authorized under Minnesota Statutes, § 126C.44 (which governs school safety and related programs; typically this includes security equipment, facilities improvements, and other safety-related investments).

  • Application process

    • Qualifying schools may apply for a grant using a form and process designated by the DPS School Safety Center, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education.
    • Applications must disclose other funding sources that will be used to fully fund the proposed safety project, ensuring awareness of total financing.

  • Grant awards and prioritization

    • Grants may be awarded up to $500,000 per qualifying school, after consultation with the Commissioner of Education.
    • The DPS School Safety Center must, in its prioritization, work with the Commissioner of Education to determine how applications are ranked.
    • At least 50% of grants must be awarded to schools with administrative offices located outside the seven-county Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, aiming to support more rural or non-metro districts.

  • Financial appropriation and term

    • An appropriation is provided (specific dollar amount to be determined in the enacted version) from the General Fund to the DPS School Safety Center for fiscal years starting in 2027.
    • The appropriation is available through June 30, 2029, giving schools a two-year spending window following the 2027 allocation.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries are eligible educational institutions: districts, charter schools, cooperatives, tribal contract schools, and nonpublic schools that operate in Minnesota.
  • Students and staff at these schools are the intended safety beneficiaries of funded improvements.
  • Local education agencies in non-metro areas may see a higher likelihood of grant awards due to the geographic prioritization.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced and referred: HF 5019 was introduced on April 20, 2026, and referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy.
  • Funding timeline: If enacted, the program would receive General Fund support starting in fiscal year 2027, with funds available through June 30, 2029.
  • Grant interaction: The grant process requires coordination with the Commissioner of Education to establish priorities, ensuring alignment with broader K-12 safety and security initiatives.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Provides a dedicated funding stream to bolster school safety infrastructure and programs.
  • Encourages transparency in funding sources and comprehensive project budgeting by applicants.
  • Promotes geographic equity by prioritizing non-metropolitan schools for grant awards.
  • The cap of $500,000 per school helps fund substantial safety projects but may limit smaller districts with significant needs.
  • The reliance on statutory compliance (via § 126C.44) ensures that funded items align with established safety standards and permitting processes.

Note: The exact total appropriation amount is not specified in the available text and would be determined in the enacted version.

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

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