St. Paul – On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed emergency funding for law enforcement, as requested by Governor Walz. The bill, Senate File 2441, secures $2.75 million for the law enforcement response to civil unrest through the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact and $6.3 million for Minnesota State Trooper expenses related to the unrest and Chauvin trial.

“Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own home, own community,” said Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake). “This emergency is dire and the call to action is now in order to prevent further unrest and protect the streets that we call home. I’m committed to supporting our local police, state troopers, and Minnesota National Guard members who continue to protect us during these turbulent times.”

Earlier this session, the Senate passed legislation funding for a Law Enforcement Operations (LEO) Account, committing to keep Minnesotans safe by securing resources for emergency law enforcement operations tied to extraordinary and unplanned emergency events. 

House Democrats failed to pass LEO or Governor Walz’s version of the legislation, known as SAFE: State Aid for Emergencies. Additionally, House Democrats have not introduced any of their own provisions regarding emergency police funding, jeopardizing the safety of residents of the Twin Cities and hindering law enforcement’s ability to respond to emergency events.   

Today’s legislation is the byproduct of a public safety conversation between legislative leaders and the Governor over the weekend. Legislative leaders all agreed with the importance of getting the bill done at the time of the request.

S. F. 2441 passed the Senate with tripartisan support on a vote of 48-19. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.