Bill > HF21

This bill modifies Minnesota's law regarding peacetime emergencies by changing how long a governor can maintain an emergency declaration without legislative approval. Currently, a governor can declare a peacetime emergency for up to five days, but this bill extends that initial period to 14 days. After the initial 14-day period, the governor must request a legislative extension, which would require a three-fifths (60%) majority vote in both chambers of the state legislature to approve. If the legislature is not in session when the governor wants to extend the emergency, they must immediately convene both legislative houses. The bill specifies that subsequent extensions beyond the initially approved period would also require a three-fifths majority vote in each legislative chamber. The law applies to emergencies caused by natural disasters, technological failures, terrorist incidents, cyber attacks, industrial accidents, hazardous material incidents, or civil disturbances. The bill maintains the governor's existing authority to declare emergencies and command the National Guard, but adds more legislative oversight to the emergency declaration process.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0021&ssn=0&y=2025