MN SF274

Creates a five-member Parole Board consisting of four members appointed by the governor (with no more than two from the same political party) and a fifth member who is the chair appointed by the commissioner of corrections.

Board members must have knowledge or experience in corrections or related fields and be selected based on sound judgment; among governor-appointed members, at least one must be a woman, one a man, and one a member of a racial minority.

Members serve six-year staggered terms and receive 85 percent of a district court judge's salary, with the chair receiving at least the same salary as other board members.

Parole Board may grant parole to individuals who have served two-thirds of their sentence-to-serve, certain elderly prisoners (60+ with 3+ years served), juveniles (5+ years), and those convicted of drug offenses, conspiracies, or crimes without proven intentional consequences; sex offenders are permanently ineligible for parole.

Board must submit annual reports to legislative committees on parole grants and cost savings to the Department of Corrections; appropriation is authorized for fiscal year 2016 with funds available until June 30, 2017.