SF980

SF980 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Conservation officers requirement to coordinate investigation and enforcement activity with sheriffs

Related bill: HF1595

AI Generated Summary

The bill S.F. No. 980 mandates that conservation officers in Minnesota must coordinate all their investigation and enforcement activities with the local sheriff's offices. It alters existing statutes to specify that:

Conservation officers must conduct their duties under the supervision of the sheriff's office for the county where these activities take place.
If a conservation officer operates within a single county, the local sheriff’s office has the authority to control the officer's work schedule and shifts.
In multi-county regions, the sheriff's offices involved can jointly manage the scheduling and duties of the conservation officers.
Conservation officers need to be accompanied by a sheriff or deputy sheriff during investigations and other enforcement activities, except in very specific circumstances such as immediate law violations or when acting on another agency's request.

The bill also includes amendments to empower specific employees to perform certain enforcement duties and make clear that laws empowering peace officers are consistent with these new rules for conservation officers. Additionally, it redefines the involvement of officers in storing and seizing wildlife and related equipment under specific conditions to ensure compliance with the game and fish laws.

This change aims to integrate local sheriff authorities more closely with the activities of conservation officers, enhancing cooperation and possibly improving enforcement efficiency.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 02, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Environment, Climate, and Legacy
February 02, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Environment, Climate, and Legacy
February 05, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
February 05, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subdivision requiring coordination with sheriffs."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section involves the duties and responsibilities of conservation officers.",
      "modified": [
        "Updated language to ensure clarity in role specification."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "84.028",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on issuing citations when a conservation officer is present."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section outlines the arrest and citation powers of designated conservation employees.",
      "modified": [
        "Specific powers in relation to peace officers defined more clearly."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "84.0835",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provisions for entering commercial properties for inspection."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This legislation pertains to the storage of wild animals and conservation officer authority.",
      "modified": [
        "Authority subject to coordination rules with sheriffs."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.215",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Conditions under which property related to aquatic activities may be seized."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section deals with property subject to seizure and confiscation.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified relationship with section 84.028 rules."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.221",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provision for administrative forfeiture of certain properties."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section involves property subject to seizure and forfeiture.",
      "modified": [
        "Seizure conditions now align with section 84.028 requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.223",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Regulations concerning the unlawful acts with dangerous weapons.",
      "modified": [
        "Reiterated enforcement boundaries for conservation officers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.66",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]