SF555

SF555 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

City attorneys provisions modifications and authorizations

Related bill: HF698

AI Generated Summary

Senate File No. 555 is a bill introduced in Minnesota that aims to empower city attorneys with additional responsibilities in juvenile delinquency and criminal cases. Specifically, the bill proposes the following changes:

City Attorneys Handling Delinquency Petitions: The bill allows city attorneys to file delinquency petitions for certain offenses committed by juveniles if the county attorney decides not to do so.
Prosecution of Certain Felonies and Gross Misdemeanors: City attorneys are authorized to prosecute specific felony and gross misdemeanor offenses in situations where the county attorney declines to prosecute.
Administrative Subpoenas: City attorneys are granted the authority to issue administrative subpoenas in certain cases.
Amendments to Existing Laws: The bill includes amendments to various sections of Minnesota Statutes 2024 to make these changes possible.

The bill specifies that these new powers for city attorneys would apply under particular conditions such as when the incident involves an offense against a peace officer and the violation occurred within the city limits. This measure appears to be designed to ensure that criminal offenses, particularly those involving juveniles or serious crimes, are adequately addressed even if the county attorney opts not to take action.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 22, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 22, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 22, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
January 22, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of city attorney powers under specific conditions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the definition or constraints for the individuals defined under section 260B.007, subdivision 16.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260B.007",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 16"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "City attorneys may draft petitions when offenses involve peace officers or when county attorney declines."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment allows city attorneys to be involved in drafting delinquency petitions in certain circumstances under section 260B.141, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260B.141",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New procedures for handling juvenile cases by city attorneys."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to section 260B.163, subdivision 5, involve court procedures regarding juvenile cases.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260B.163",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on reporting responsibilities when city attorneys are involved."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifications to section 260B.171, subdivision 4, involve reporting and record-keeping requirements.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260B.171",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Details on expanded roles for city attorneys in certain case types."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adjustments to procedures related to court handling of juvenile cases under sections 260B.335, subdivisions 2 and 4.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260B.335",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 2, 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments in section 260B.425, subdivision 2, relate to the financial management of juvenile cases.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjustment on financial responsibility when city attorneys handle cases."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.425",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Establish conditions under which city attorneys can act as prosecutors."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifications to section 388.051, subdivision 2, involve prosecutor responsibilities.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "388.051",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Changes to section 388.23, subdivision 1, apply to the powers of county attorneys.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifications on when a city attorney can prosecute instead of the county attorney."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "388.23",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments in section 390.251 relate generally to procedures and jurisdictions.",
      "modified": [
        "Include provisions for city attorneys in specific legal processes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "390.251",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Jurisdiction expansions to allow city attorney prosecutions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to section 484.87, subdivision 3, pertain to court jurisdictional adjustments.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "484.87",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  }
]