SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Monday, during the first day of a special legislative session, Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL – Hibbing) introduced a bill to reform the process regarding peacetime emergencies in the state. As the COVID-19 pandemic winds down, she also voted to suspend the House’s procedural rules to allow debate on a measure to end the current peacetime emergency.
“The pandemic isn’t behind us, but with more Minnesotans getting vaccinated, we’re in a much better place than we were previously. With House committees not currently meeting regularly during the special session, Minnesotans deserve a robust debate on the governor’s authority during the current management phase of COVID-19 with accurate information being shared,” Rep. Sandstede said. “Our governor has done yeoman’s work while in an unenviable position to protect the health of Minnesotans. I’m hopeful this proposal can be considered so if Minnesota ever experiences anything like the COVID pandemic again, we’ll be prepared to respond with the necessary balance between all three branches of government.”
For a peacetime emergency longer than 30 days, Rep. Sandstede’s bill would require the Legislature to remain in regular session for the entirety of the emergency, enabling lawmakers to provide more meaningful input than within the state’s current emergency management framework. It would require the governor to provide rationale and specific legal authority for each order and rule, and within 10 days, the Legislative Coordinating Commission must hold a hearing and recommend to the House and Senate whether the executive action should be maintained, amended, or terminated. The Legislature may then, after 21 days, terminate any order or rule by majority vote of each chamber.
Additionally, the legislation would also define a “public health emergency” and clarify the conditions necessary for the governor to declare such an event. These qualifications include when there is an imminent threat of an illness or health condition to Minnesotans as a result of either bioterrorism or a new, novel airborne infectious agent or biological toxin which could result in widespread death, disability, or significant risk of future harm.
The bill was referred to the House Rules and Legislative Administration committee.