HF 4189 - "Never Again Bill" Summary

• Emergency declarations cannot continue beyond five days without approval by joint resolution of both the Minnesota House and Senate.

• Governor must immediately notify legislative leaders when declaring an emergency and must call the legislature into special session if extension beyond 30 days is needed while legislature is not in session.

• Executive orders and rules issued during declared emergencies do not have the force and effect of law unless enacted by the legislature within five days of taking effect.

• Governor and commissioners are prohibited from suspending business licenses or violating constitutional rights during declared emergencies.

• Defines new terms including "bioterrorism" and "public health emergency" (limited to bioterrorism or new/novel airborne infectious agents causing high probability of mass deaths, disabilities, or widespread exposure) and repeals criminal penalties for violations of emergency management provisions.