HF1431

Purpose

The bill would update the grounds for recalling state officials by defining what counts as a “serious crime.” This definition is used to determine when a recall can be pursued under Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211C.01 subdivision 4).

Main Provisions

• Defines “Serious crime” in Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211C.01 subdivision 4.
• Category A: A serious crime is a crime punished as a felony (as defined in section 609.02) or a gross misdemeanor (as defined in section 609.02) that involves:
  • assault or intentional injury or threat of injury to a person or to public safety
  • dishonesty
  • harassment
  • aggravated driving while intoxicated
  • coercion
  • obstruction of justice
  • sale or possession of controlled substances
• Category B: A serious crime also includes a crime punished as a misdemeanor (as defined in section 609.02) that involves:
  • assault or intentional injury or threat of injury to a person or to public safety
  • dishonesty
  • coercion
  • obstruction of justice
  • sale or possession of controlled substances
• The definition applies to determining recall grounds for state officials.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Reframes and expressly enumerates what qualifies as a “serious crime” for purposes of recall.
• Adds or clarifies that both felonies/gross misdemeanors and certain misdemeanors with specific elements (such as assault, dishonesty, coercion, obstruction of justice, and drug offenses) are included in the serious-crime standard.
• Ties recall eligibility more precisely to offenses involving violence, public safety, dishonesty, coercion, obstruction of justice, and controlled-substance offenses, by listing them within the formal definition.

Relevant terms - recall - grounds for recall - state officials - serious crime - felony - gross misdemeanor - misdemeanor - assault - intentional injury - threat of injury - public safety - dishonesty - harassment - aggravated driving while intoxicated - coercion - obstruction of justice - sale of controlled substances - possession of controlled substances - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - section 609.02 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211C.01 subdivision 4 - Elections Finance and Government Operations (implied by committee reference)