Bill > SF956

This bill establishes new restrictions on searches and seizures by conservation officers in Minnesota, requiring them to obtain a warrant or court order before conducting most searches, with exceptions only for preventing imminent danger to human life or when a person consents to the search. The bill mandates that conservation officers provide a receipt to individuals when seizing property and clarifies that any law conferring authority on conservation officers must be interpreted consistently with these new restrictions. The legislation amends multiple existing statutes across different sections of Minnesota law related to natural resources, including rules about seizure of off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, fishing equipment, firearms, and other items used in potential violations of game and fish laws. Specifically, the bill adds a new requirement that seizures can only occur "when authorized under section 84.0287," which is the new section establishing the warrant and receipt requirements. This change aims to provide more protections for individuals by ensuring that conservation officers have proper legal justification and documentation when conducting searches and seizures during enforcement of natural resources regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0956&ssn=0&y=2025