Criminal Justice (Courts)

HF 1594 requires Minnesota conservation officers to obtain a warrant or court order before conducting a search or seizure, except in emergencies or when a person consents. It also mandates that officers provide a written receipt to anyone from whom property is seized. This applies to officers enforcing natural resources laws, such as those covering hunting, fishing, and wildlife protection. The bill amends multiple existing statutes to implement these requirements, ensuring consistency across enforcement procedures.

HF 1397 makes it optional for Minnesota peace officers to ask defendants to sign an acknowledgment form when providing notice about a missed court appearance. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 629.415, subdivision 5, which governs sign and release warrants. Officers must still provide written notice with court details, release defendants at the scene, and update court records, but defendants cannot be required to sign the acknowledgment form. This change affects law enforcement officers and defendants who miss court appearances but are released with new notice.

HF 3175 appropriates funds from the general fund to the Minnesota Supreme Court for forensic navigator services across the state's ten judicial districts. It allocates money for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 based primarily on each district's population using the latest U.S. census data, with flexibility to address specific needs like rural travel costs or video technology for remote hearings. This funding directly supports the Supreme Court's distribution of resources to judicial districts providing forensic navigator services. The bill focuses solely on the financial mechanism for these services without altering their scope or eligibility.