State Patrol compensation study requirements modified, and volunteer chaplains allowed within the state patrol.

This bill modifies Minnesota State Patrol compensation requirements by updating how salary surveys are conducted and how certain expenses are reimbursed. It requires the legislative auditor to perform a compensation and benefits survey every odd-numbered year for police departments in cities with over 25,000 residents in metropolitan counties, first-class cities, and the State Patrol. The survey must include base salary, overtime wages, premium pay, and all benefits like insurance and retirement contributions, with results reported to relevant legislative committees. Additionally, the bill clarifies that salary adjustments for supervisory ranks must be proportionate to those made for patrol troopers based on survey findings. The legislation also updates the definition of patrol troopers to include lieutenants and removes the 2030 survey deadline, extending the requirement to every odd-numbered year thereafter.