SF 4703 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Extreme risk protection orders application, securement, and enforcement processes modifications

This bill modifies Minnesota's extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws to update how these orders are applied for, secured, and enforced. It expands who can petition for an ERPO to include attorneys' offices and allows respondents to petition on their own behalf, while clarifying definitions for family members and mental health professionals. The legislation requires courts to provide simplified forms, waives all filing and service fees, and mandates that orders be shared with law enforcement and the national background check system within specific timeframes. Additionally, it updates procedures for emergency relief petitions and clarifies the role of law enforcement in considering such requests.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 23, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 5 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) process to allow orders to be served via email or mail rather than requiring personal service in most cases. It also expands the list of entities that can receive surrendered firearms to include third parties, clarifies that respondents cannot transfer guns to people living with them, and introduces a new provision allowing respondents to sell their firearms while under an order. Additionally, the bill clarifies the legal immunity for respondents who voluntarily surrender their weapons and adds a new section for the return of temporarily transferred firearms by dealers.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of who can receive surrendered firearms and modifies the service requirements for ERPOs to increase efficiency and accessibility.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the requirement for serving ERPOs from mandatory personal service to allowing electronic or mail service, except where specific laws require otherwise.

REQUIREMENT

Added a prohibition preventing respondents from transferring firearms to third parties who reside with them.

Created a new provision allowing respondents to sell their firearms while under an ERPO, provided the sale follows existing transfer rules.

Clarified that immunity from prosecution for unlawful possession applies specifically to the crime defined in section 624.713 when a respondent voluntarily surrenders firearms.

Added a new section requiring federally licensed dealers or third parties to return temporarily transferred firearms to the respondent once the order expires.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors