ST PAUL, Minn. — Debate over an $880 million public safety spending measure stretched for hours late Friday in the Minnesota Senate, before passing early on Saturday morning.
The Senate and House both passed the public safety budget bill earlier this session, but following discussing the proposal during a conference committee, DFL leaders added two new gun measures to the broader bill.
The first proposal would create a “red flag” law in Minnesota, to allow law enforcement or family members to ask a court to take guns away from someone who poses a risk to themselves or others. The second would expand background checks on private gun sales, such as transactions commonly seen at gun shows.
“This is a well-balanced approach to public safety that makes investments in effective and proven strategies to making our communities safer while ensuring every Minnesotan has a fair shot at justice,” said Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), Chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee said in a statement. “We have created a budget that reflects the priorities and needs of our communities, and I look forward to moving this important legislation forward today."
GOP leaders objected to how the final version of the 522-page bill wasn't posted until around 2:30 a.m. Friday. Members can vote only up or down on a conference committee report. They can't amend it. And Republicans were upset at their voices being shut out of shaping the final version, which they oppose on Second Amendment and other grounds.
“This bill is actually what bad legislating looks like,” Republican House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring said at a separate news conference. “Democrats have full control, but a very small margin.”
The bill now heads to the House -- where the DFL has a larger majority – and if passed would then go to Gov. Tim Walz for a signature.
The Minnesota Legislature is rushing to complete work on the major budget bills of the session before the May 22 adjournment deadline. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park told reporters Thursday that she wants to adjourn early — either next Thursday night or early next Friday morning. Senate Democratic leaders, however, have not agreed to that.
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