Legislative ProcessMinnesota Commissioner of Public Safety

Ramona DohmanBloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts

Brief overview of 3 branches of Government What is your role in the process Who are your Legislators MCPA’s role in the Process Roles of the Commissioner of Public Safety

and the Governor

Presentation Outline

Legislative Branch – The Lawmakers

• Introduce and study ideas (bills) for laws (all revenue-raising bills begin in the House)

• Serve on standing committees• Pass state laws (all bills must pass both the House

and the Senate• Pass the state’s biennial (two-year) budget• Can override governor’s veto (requires two-thirds

vote in both House and Senate

The Three Branches of Minnesota State Government

Supreme Court Court of Appeals District Court Conciliation Court

Judicial Branch: The Judges

Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State State Auditor State Departments and Agencies

Executive Branch: The Administration

What’s your role…

In your Community In the L.E Community

Subject Matter Expert Facilitate Communications

City Council MN House of Rep MN Senate

Get to know your Legislators

Legislative Districts

Know what your City Allows◦ What can you comment on Publically◦ Is it Consistent with your Community Legislative

Agenda?

Rules of Procedure

Actively Lead/Support• Seek authors from House and Senate• Testify at Committee meetings and Hearings

SupportMonitorNeutralOppose

MCPA Legislative Areas

Educate them on the issue…

What’s your story? (ALPR success narrative)

1400 bills introduced in each body Education, transportation, health care, pub. safety

At the mercy of lobbyist, advocates and activists

Working with Legislature

A lot of duplication of your workFrustrating Process

House

Public

Safety

House Civil Law and Data Practices

Senate Judiciary

Senate Transportation and Public Safety

Full Hous

e Vote

Full

Senate Vote

Conference Committee

Back to each chamber

Governor’s Signature

Not done yet

Governor

Executive responsibilities◦ Administer laws and affairs of the state◦ Appoint heads of departments and agencies ◦ Act as commander-in-chief of state military forces

Legislative Responsibilities◦ Inform Legislature of condition of the state◦ Propose a state budget◦ Review bills the Legislature passes – approve (sign) or reject (veto)

Judicial responsibilities◦ Appoint judges to fill vacancies in district, appellate and supreme courts◦ Can issue pardons and reprieves, restore civil rights to felons

Executive Branch, continued

Lt. Governor, responsibilities◦ represent the Governor◦ assume governor’s responsibilities in governor’s absence or if a

vacancy occurs◦ assume duties governor assigns

Executive Branch, cont.

State Departments/Agency responsibilities◦ 24 executive departments◦ Governor appoints the head (commissioner) of each department◦ Confirmed by Senate

Executive Branch, continued

Commissioner of Public Safety

Department of Public Safety – Mission

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is committed to protecting citizens and communities through activities that promote and support prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, education and enforcement. These objectives are achieved through a focus on saving lives, providing efficient and effective services, maintaining public trust, and developing strong partnerships

Public safety is the core function of Government

The Commissioner serves as the unifying figurehead of the Minnesota public safety community and liaison with affiliated personnel and agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.

Need for effective coalition building, nonpartisanship, and relationship-credibility

Commissioner of Public Safety

Automated License Plate Readers – MCPA recommends taking an active role leading the adoption of legislation that outlines clear state policy regarding use of LPR data, specific policies that limit access to the data and a reasonable data retention period.

Safe Driving/diversion Programs – MCPA recommends crafting legislation that ensures a traffic diversion program truly addresses changing driver behavior a through sound, structured and consistent education component, thus preventing future traffic violations and making roads safer. We also recommend diversion legislation not be a revenue instrument but a policy that promotes traffic safety in our communities.

Body Cams/Privacy – The MCPA will provide legislative recommendations on current data practices law that require all video captured by police body cameras be “public.”

However, we are concerned about protecting the privacy of individuals, including crime victims and minors, in highly sensitive situations, especially in locations where there has traditionally been an expectation of privacy. Of most concern is video captured inside an individual’s residence. The MCPA is supportive of any changes to Chapter 13 that would classify this data as non- ‐public.

The legislature should consider the following sensitive situations when data is collected by a body camera and the classification:

Data collected while within private places and spaces Data collected in response to a domestic assault, sexual assault, or a mental health crisis Data collected that documents statements or activities of minors Data collected while at a hospital or similar health care facility Data collected while at an elementary or secondary school Bulk, blanket or standing data requests Data collected that documents information or a “tip” provided to law enforcement

The legislature should also consider local data retention schedules as municipalities have varying retention schedules, oversight committees, citizen involvement, and review protocol to consider.

Financial Crimes Task Force funding – We will support legislation to increase funding to the task force.

2015 MCPA Legislative Agenda

Traveling Data – We recommend continued support of making non- ‐public data that has been provided as intelligence by other law enforcement agencies to law enforcement in Minnesota.

DWI Forfeiture – We recommend continued support of current forfeiture statutes, including DWI forfeiture laws. We would oppose any legislation calling to eliminate DWI forfeiture and/or prohibit forfeiture if the person goes on ignition interlock.

Funding for CIT Training – We will support legislation that would help fund CIT training for law enforcement agencies across the state.

1033 Military Surplus (federal or state legislation) – We support formal reviews of the process by which local law enforcement agencies receive and return military surplus equipment through the 1033 program. We would oppose any legislation that discontinues the program.

Handgun Purchase Permit Fees – MCPA supports a $25 fee for the handgun purchase permit if broader firearms legislation arises.

Animal abuse – MCPA supports legislation that creates stronger penalties for animal abusers due to the direct relationship between animal and domestic abuse. The MCPA will also support legislation calling for more training and resources for law enforcement on this issue.

Cathy’s Law – Initially passed in New Jersey, it would ban first responders from sharing photos or videos of accident victims without their consent. We would support such legislation

Ignition Interlock for all DWI offenses – We will not oppose legislation that would require all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlock devices over license revocation.

Marijuana – We will oppose legislation that legalizes recreational use of marijuana. We will oppose changes to marijuana’s schedule 1 classification, until research data from Minnesota’s Department of Health determines the effectiveness of MM in Minnesota. And, we will oppose expansion of the current medical marijuana law to include plant material or additional qualifying medical conditions .

Larger Trucks/trailers – MCPA will monitor any legislative efforts that would result in allowing longer or heavier trucks or trailers on state, county or federal roadways in Minnesota.

Immediate disclosure of Preliminary Breathe Test (PBT) results – We will monitor legislation that requires a peace officer that administers a PBT to immediately disclose the results to either the driver or the driver’s counsel.

2015 MCPA Legislative Agenda

Mandatory reporting for health workers – MCPA will monitor legislation that would require health workers report assaults to law enforcement.

Animal abuse – MCPA supports legislation that creates stronger penalties for animal abusers due to the direct relationship between animal and domestic abuse. The MCPA will also support legislation calling for more training and resources for law enforcement on this issue.

Cathy’s Law – Initially passed in New Jersey, it would ban first responders from sharing photos or videos of accident victims without their consent. We would support such legislation

Ignition Interlock for all DWI offenses – We will not oppose legislation that would require all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlock devices over license revocation.

Marijuana – We will oppose legislation that legalizes recreational use of marijuana. We will oppose changes to marijuana’s schedule 1 classification, until research data from Minnesota’s Department of Health determines the effectiveness of MM in Minnesota. And, we will oppose expansion of the current medical marijuana law to include plant material or additional qualifying medical conditions.

Larger Trucks/trailers – MCPA will monitor any legislative efforts that would result in allowing longer or heavier trucks or trailers on state, county or federal roadways in Minnesota.

Immediate disclosure of Preliminary Breathe Test (PBT) results – We will monitor legislation that requires a peace officer that administers a PBT to immediately disclose the results to either the driver or the driver’s counsel.

Mandatory reporting for health workers – MCPA will monitor legislation that would require health workers report assaults to law enforcement.

School Safety Levy Money – We would support legislation that requires schools to come to the table w/local LE and come to an agreement about what’s

2015 MCPA Legislative Agenda

Questions and comments