MN HF55

Establishes a Civil Unrest Investigatory Commission to examine and create a public record of all actions, orders, and responses by local governments, police, military, and elected officials during the May and June 2020 civil unrest in Minnesota.

Commission consists of ten neutral persons appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice, with members required to have no political party involvement, no role in the 2020 events, and expertise in public crisis management.

Commission must conduct interviews with elected and appointed officials, establish a timeline of decisions by the mayors of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the governor, review police and National Guard responses, and issue a public report by December 15, 2020.

Commission granted authority to issue subpoenas, take testimony under oath, hire outside investigators and counsel, and access all government records related to the civil unrest; all collected materials must be made public upon report completion.

Appropriates open and standing funds to the Office of the Legislative Auditor to cover commission expenses, with individual member compensation not exceeding $1,000, and designates the Legislative Auditor as fiscal agent.