Local governments could donate unused equipment under proposed change

A dozen decade-old but still-functioning defibrillators sit unused at the Columbia Heights Fire Department, replaced by newer versions but unable to be donated.

Local governments can’t make donations of public property or money without express authority in city statute or charter, under state law. But, in some cases, it would make more sense for municipalities to donate items no longer needed by local agencies, Columbia Heights Fire Chief Gary Gorman told the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee Tuesday.

The committee approved, as amended, a bill that would change that by permitting local governments to donate still-working but unused items like cell phones and emergency medical and firefighting equipment to nonprofit organizations.

"It could be something as simple as cell phones donated to a domestic abuse shelter,” or as big as fire equipment given to a third-world aid organization, said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Carolyn Laine (DFL-Columbia Heights).

HF1003 was referred to the House Civil Law and Data Practices Committee. There is no Senate companion.

The bill would limit the liability of local governments regarding donated equipment and would require them to adopt policies on determining what equipment and organizations are eligible to be donated.

Ken Prillaman, fire chief in Brooklyn Park, told the committee that current law means his department is forced to attempt to sell equipment that may have little resale value, or often destroy it when throwing it out.

“Our core business is not selling equipment on eBay and we’re not good at it,” Prillaman said. Laine’s bill, he added, “solves a very urgent need.”