Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Minnesota Clearance Grant Program. The program aims to reduce violent crime by improving the solve rate of nonfatal shootings. It seeks to provide financial assistance to law enforcement agencies for enhancing their capabilities in investigating and resolving such cases.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of the Program: The bill tasks the commissioner of public safety with setting up the Minnesota Clearance Grant Program to provide grants specifically aimed at increasing the clearance rate of nonfatal shootings.

• Grant Application and Priority: Law enforcement agencies can apply for these grants, with priority given to those with high rates of unsolved nonfatal shootings and inadequate staffing. Agencies should demonstrate a plan for interagency collaboration and a commitment to improving clearance rates.

• Use of Funds: Grants can be used for improving investigatory resources, hiring additional personnel, procuring new technology, training, and partnerships with violence intervention programs. Specific applications include the hiring of new investigators, paying for overtime, and developing better evidence-processing capabilities.

• Reporting Requirements: Agencies receiving the grants must provide biannual reports on their efforts, detailing investigation statistics, personnel changes, training, technology upgrades, and the overall impact on clearance rates.

• Funding: Appropriations are made from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a base appropriation established for future years.

Significant Changes

• The bill proposes a new law to be coded in Minnesota Statutes, explicitly creating a state-backed program to financially support police investigations of nonfatal shootings.
• It emphasizes interagency cooperation along with state support to improve data integration and resource sharing across different jurisdictions.

Relevant Terms

Minnesota Clearance Grant Program, nonfatal shootings, law enforcement agency, solve rate, violent crime, interagency cooperation, public safety, grant application, forensic evidence, technology, victim services, biannual report, appropriations, fiscal year.