SF 4274 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle crime modification

This bill modifies Minnesota's laws regarding fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, specifically updating how deadly force is used during police pursuits and addressing civil liability. It clarifies that officers may use deadly force only when there is an immediate threat of death or great bodily harm to others, and it adds protections for individuals with disabilities who may struggle to understand or comply with officer commands. The legislation also grants peace officers immunity from criminal and civil liability for injuries or property damage caused during authorized pursuit interventions, while holding drivers who flee in multi-wheeled vehicles civilly liable if an intervention technique is used. These changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 9, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 26, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its initial introduction to its first engrossment version, reflecting amendments made during the legislative process. The most significant substantive change is the removal of a specific exemption clause in Section 4, which previously stated that the result of an intervention technique could not be used as evidence of intent to harm. This deletion broadens the scope of civil liability for peace officers, allowing the outcome of their actions during a pursuit to be considered when determining if they intended to cause harm.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding officer liability was expanded by removing a protective limitation on how evidence of intent is evaluated during police pursuits.

ENFORCEMENT

Deleted a clause preventing the use of intervention results as evidence of intent to harm, thereby allowing such results to be used in civil liability cases.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill title and section numbering to reflect its progression from 'Introduction' to '1st Engrossment'.

TECHNICAL

Removed references to Section 299D.03 regarding Minnesota State Patrol duties, indicating these provisions were addressed in a different bill or removed from this version.

REQUIREMENT

Simplified the language regarding officer immunity by removing the condition that immunity depends on whether the officer would have been immune under a specific subdivision.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 26, 2026

Committee

Comm report: Amended, No recommendation, re-referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Withdrawn and re-referred to Transportation

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors