Bill > SF3256

This bill amends Minnesota's emergency management laws in several key ways: 1. It requires legislative approval to extend a declared emergency beyond 5 days, instead of allowing the governor to extend it up to 30 days unilaterally. The legislature can now extend the emergency declaration beyond 30 days by majority vote. 2. It adds new definitions of "bioterrorism" and "public health emergency" to the law. These define situations involving the intentional use of biological agents or the appearance of a new infectious disease that pose a high risk of mass casualties or disabilities. 3. It requires the legislature to enact any executive orders or rules issued by the governor during an emergency into law within 5 days for the orders/rules to have the force of law. This limits the governor's ability to unilaterally issue binding rules during an emergency. 4. It prohibits the governor and state agencies from suspending business licenses or violating constitutional rights during a declared emergency. 5. It repeals the criminal penalty for violating emergency management orders or rules. Overall, the bill aims to increase legislative oversight and protect individual rights during declared emergencies in Minnesota.