Bill > HF1273

This bill modifies Minnesota's statutes regarding the Board of Pardons' processes for considering waiver requests for pardons and commutations. Specifically, the bill exempts both the Board of Pardons and its commission from open meeting requirements (mandated under section 638.14 and chapter 13D) when reviewing waiver requests for pardons or commutations. Under the current law, individuals convicted of certain crimes can apply for a pardon or commutation after specified waiting periods, typically five years after sentence expiration. The bill allows individuals to request a waiver of these waiting periods by demonstrating unusual circumstances or special needs. The commission will continue to review these waiver requests and make recommendations to the board, and the board must grant the waiver unless the governor or a board majority opposes it. The key change is explicitly stating that both the commission and the board are exempt from open meeting requirements when considering these waiver requests, which provides more privacy and flexibility in the review process.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1273&ssn=0&y=2025