Besides body cameras, many other public safety issues will be debated by the Legislature this year. We spoke with Senate Judiciary Chairman Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, an attorney, and House Public Safety Chairman Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, a retired law enforcement official, for their take on the top issues.
Drug sentencing
Late last year, a state commission signed off on a plan to significantly reduce sentencing guidelines for first-degree and first-time drug offenders in an effort to ease prison overcrowding. If the Legislature does nothing, the plan will take effect come August.
Latz: Would like to see additions, but not modifications, that would enhance sentencing for those caught with larger quantities of drugs and the reduction of fifth-degree possession charges from a felony to a gross misdemeanor.
Cornish: Will introduce a bill to kill the guidelines, though he acknowledges its chances are slim. In particular, Cornish takes issue with reducing sentences for first-degree defendants accused of selling drugs to support their own personal use, saying he’s heard from police and county attorneys that such a label could be applied too loosely.
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Use of drones
Debate has increased over the use of automated drones, particularly by law enforcement. Privacy concerns, the need for warrants on/over private property and fear about how the data will be used have dominated the debate.
Cornish: Says he’s worried about delving into the debate, with the University of Minnesota and some business interests saying there’s a huge future in the technology. “I would kind of like to hang back and see what the FAA does rather than do something locally.”
Latz: Says he likely will hold hearings on a bill sponsored by Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, that would regulate drone use by police. “I think it’s really important for us to do a bill, to set criteria and boundaries for law enforcement.”
Gun control
Amid a presidential call to action, there has been movement in other states on background checks for gun buyers, both with ballot initiatives and legislative action. Rep. Kim Nortan, DFL-Rochester, filed legislation calling for universal background checks and training requirements.
Cornish: “I don’t want to hear any gun bills, pro or con. Even if it’s a good bill. If you put one out there, it’s open for any kind of action on the floor.”
Latz: Intends to introduce a bill requiring background checks on all private gun sales in Minnesota, including online sales and gun shows, with possible exceptions for transfers between immediate family members. Latz believes the large majority of gun owners and Minnesotans in general support background checks.
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Sex offender
A federal judge has ruled Minnesota’s sex offender treatment program - in which hundreds remain indefinitely committed at state facilities in Moose Lake and St. Peter - unconstitutional. The case is now before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Still, there has been longstanding debate over whether the Legislature should address the issue beforehand.
Cornish: Says it would be a waste of effort to legislate changes prior to completion of the appeals process.
Latz: Notes that the Senate has already passed reforms, and “we don’t have the time to spin our wheels” if the House won’t take it up.
Other issues
Latz: Intends to add language to an existing bill that would allow first-time drunken driving offenders to get their cars back in some cases if they install an “ignition interlock” system - an electronic device that stops a vehicle from starting if the driver doesn’t blow in it first, similar to a breathalyzer test.
Latz argues that in many cases, vehicles of drunken drivers are seized by civil forfeiture, preventing convicts from working. Citing statistics that say 70 percent of offenders drive anyway, Latz said, “We know they’re still out there driving, but without a safety device in their car.”
Cornish: Without referring to any specific bill, said of the upcoming session: “I’m not going to be for any of the things that will rail on cops. Citizens advisory committees, looking over cops’ shoulders, I’m not going to be in support of that.”
