Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF2694 Compare Versions

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11 1.1 A bill for an act​
22 1.2 relating to state government; proposing an amendment to the Minnesota​
33 1.3 Constitution by making technical changes to certain terms in Article I to be​
44 1.4 consistent with language in Minnesota Statutes.​
55 1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​
66 1.6 Section 1. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.​
77 1.7 An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the amendment​
88 1.8is adopted, article I, section 2, will read:​
99 1.9 Sec. 2. No member of this state shall be disfranchised or deprived of any of the rights​
1010 1.10or privileges secured to any citizen thereof, unless by the law of the land or the judgment​
1111 1.11of his the member's peers. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the​
1212 1.12state otherwise than as punishment for a crime of which the party has been convicted.​
1313 1.13 article I, section 6, will read:​
1414 1.14 Sec. 6. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and​
1515 1.15public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district wherein the crime shall have been​
1616 1.16committed, which county or district shall have been previously ascertained by law. In all​
1717 1.17prosecutions of crimes defined by law as felonies, the accused has the right to a jury of 12​
1818 1.18members. In all other criminal prosecutions, the legislature may provide for the number of​
1919 1.19jurors, provided that a jury have at least six members. The accused shall enjoy the right to​
2020 1.20be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses​
2121 1.21against him the accused, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor​
2222 1.22of the accused and to have the assistance of counsel in his the accused's defense.​
2323 1​Section 1.​
2424 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​
2525 State of Minnesota​
2626 This Document can be made available​
2727 in alternative formats upon request​
2828 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES​
2929 H. F. No. 2694​
3030 NINETY-FOURTH SESSION​
3131 Authored by Bahner​03/24/2025​
3232 The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy​ 2.1 article I, section 7, will read:​
3333 2.2 Sec. 7. No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of​
3434 2.3law, and no person shall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense, nor​
3535 2.4be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself oneself, nor be deprived​
3636 2.5of life, liberty or property without due process of law. All persons before conviction shall​
3737 2.6be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or​
3838 2.7the presumption great. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended​
3939 2.8unless the public safety requires it in case of rebellion or invasion.​
4040 2.9 article I, section 8, will read:​
4141 2.10 Sec. 8. Every person is entitled to a certain remedy in the laws for all injuries or wrongs​
4242 2.11which he the person may receive to his their person, property or character, and to obtain​
4343 2.12justice freely and without purchase, completely and without denial, promptly and without​
4444 2.13delay, conformable to the laws.​
4545 2.14 article I, section 16, will read:​
4646 2.15 Sec. 16. The enumeration of rights in this constitution shall not deny or impair others​
4747 2.16retained by and inherent in the people. The right of every man person to worship God​
4848 2.17according to the dictates of his the person's own conscience shall never be infringed; nor​
4949 2.18shall any man person be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to​
5050 2.19maintain any religious or ecclesiastical ministry, against his the person's consent; nor shall​
5151 2.20any control of or interference with the rights of conscience be permitted, or any preference​
5252 2.21be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship; but the liberty of​
5353 2.22conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or​
5454 2.23justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the state, nor shall any money be​
5555 2.24drawn from the treasury for the benefit of any religious societies or religious or theological​
5656 2.25seminaries.​
5757 2.26 article I, section 17, will read:​
5858 2.27 Sec. 17. No religious test or amount of property shall be required as a qualification for​
5959 2.28any office of public trust in the state. No religious test or amount of property shall be required​
6060 2.29as a qualification of any voter at any election in this state; nor shall any person be rendered​
6161 2.30incompetent to give evidence in any court of law or equity in consequence of his the person's​
6262 2.31opinion upon the subject of religion.​
6363 2.32 article IV, section 5, will read:​
6464 2​Section 1.​
6565 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​ 3.1 Sec. 5. No senator or representative shall hold any other office under the authority of​
6666 3.2the United States or the state of Minnesota, except that of postmaster or of notary public.​
6767 3.3If elected or appointed to another office, a legislator may resign from the legislature by​
6868 3.4tendering his a resignation to the governor.​
6969 3.5 article IV, section 8, will read:​
7070 3.6 Sec. 8. Each member and officer of the legislature before entering upon his the person's​
7171 3.7duties shall take an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States, the​
7272 3.8constitution of this state, and to discharge faithfully the duties of his the office to the best​
7373 3.9of his the person's judgment and ability.​
7474 3.10 article IV, section 21, will read:​
7575 3.11 Sec. 21. No bill shall be passed by either house upon the day prescribed for adjournment.​
7676 3.12This section shall not preclude the enrollment of a bill or its transmittal from one house to​
7777 3.13the other or to the executive for his signature.​
7878 3.14 article IV, section 23, will read:​
7979 3.15 Sec. 23. Every bill passed in conformity to the rules of each house and the joint rules​
8080 3.16of the two houses shall be presented to the governor. If he the governor approves a bill, he​
8181 3.17the governor shall sign it, deposit it in the office of the secretary of state and notify the house​
8282 3.18in which it originated of that fact. If he the governor vetoes a bill, he the governor shall​
8383 3.19return it with his the governor's objections to the house in which it originated. His The​
8484 3.20objections shall be entered in the journal. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds of that house​
8585 3.21agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the governor's objections, to the other​
8686 3.22house, which shall likewise reconsider it. If approved by two-thirds of that house it becomes​
8787 3.23a law and shall be deposited in the office of the secretary of state. In such cases the votes​
8888 3.24of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting​
8989 3.25for or against the bill shall be entered in the journal of each house. Any bill not returned by​
9090 3.26the governor within three days (Sundays excepted) after it is presented to him the governor​
9191 3.27becomes a law as if he the governor had signed it, unless the legislature by adjournment​
9292 3.28within that time prevents its return. Any bill passed during the last three days of a session​
9393 3.29may be presented to the governor during the three days following the day of final adjournment​
9494 3.30and becomes law if the governor signs and deposits it in the office of the secretary of state​
9595 3.31within 14 days after the adjournment of the legislature. Any bill passed during the last three​
9696 3.32days of the session which is not signed and deposited within 14 days after adjournment does​
9797 3.33not become a law.​
9898 3​Section 1.​
9999 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​ 4.1 If a bill presented to the governor contains several items of appropriation of money, he​
100100 4.2the governor may veto one or more of the items while approving the bill. At the time he the​
101101 4.3governor signs the bill the governor shall append to it a statement of the items he vetoes​
102102 4.4vetoed and the vetoed items shall not take effect. If the legislature is in session, he the​
103103 4.5governor shall transmit to the house in which the bill originated a copy of the statement,​
104104 4.6and the items vetoed shall be separately reconsidered. If on reconsideration any item is​
105105 4.7approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each house, it is a part of the law​
106106 4.8notwithstanding the objections of the governor.​
107107 4.9 article IV, section 24, will read:​
108108 4.10 Sec. 24. Each order, resolution or vote requiring the concurrence of the two houses​
109109 4.11except such as relate to the business or adjournment of the legislature shall be presented to​
110110 4.12the governor and is subject to his the governor's veto as prescribed in case of a bill.​
111111 4.13 article V, section 2, will read:​
112112 4.14 Sec. 2. The term of office for the governor and lieutenant governor is four years and​
113113 4.15until a successor is chosen and qualified. Each shall have attained the age of 25 years and,​
114114 4.16shall have been a bona fide resident of the state for one year next preceding his their election,​
115115 4.17and shall be a citizen of the United States.​
116116 4.18 article V, section 3, will read:​
117117 4.19 Sec. 3. The governor shall communicate by message to each session of the legislature​
118118 4.20information touching the state and country. He The governor is commander-in-chief of the​
119119 4.21military and naval forces and may call them out to execute the laws, suppress insurrection​
120120 4.22and repel invasion. He The governor may require the opinion in writing of the principal​
121121 4.23officer in each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to his the governor's​
122122 4.24duties. With the advice and consent of the senate he the governor may appoint notaries​
123123 4.25public and other officers provided by law. He The governor may appoint commissioners to​
124124 4.26take the acknowledgment of deeds or other instruments in writing to be used in the state.​
125125 4.27He The governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. He The governor shall​
126126 4.28fill any vacancy that may occur in the offices of secretary of state, auditor, attorney general​
127127 4.29and the other state and district offices hereafter created by law until the end of the term for​
128128 4.30which the person who had vacated the office was elected or the first Monday in January​
129129 4.31following the next general election, whichever is sooner, and until a successor is chosen​
130130 4.32and qualified.​
131131 4.33 article V, section 5, will read:​
132132 4​Section 1.​
133133 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​ 5.1 Sec. 5. In case a vacancy occurs from any cause whatever in the office of governor, the​
134134 5.2lieutenant governor shall be governor during such vacancy. The compensation of the​
135135 5.3lieutenant governor shall be prescribed by law. The last elected presiding officer of the​
136136 5.4senate shall become lieutenant governor in case a vacancy occurs in that office. In case the​
137137 5.5governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his the governor's office, the same​
138138 5.6devolves on the lieutenant governor. The legislature may provide by law for the case of the​
139139 5.7removal, death, resignation, or inability both of the governor and lieutenant governor to​
140140 5.8discharge the duties of governor and may provide by law for continuity of government in​
141141 5.9periods of emergency resulting from disasters caused by enemy attack in this state, including​
142142 5.10but not limited to, succession to the powers and duties of public office and change of the​
143143 5.11seat of government.​
144144 5.12 article V, section 6, will read:​
145145 5.13 Sec. 6. Each officer created by this article before entering upon his the officer's duties​
146146 5.14shall take an oath or affirmation to support the constitution of the United States and of this​
147147 5.15state and to discharge faithfully the duties of his the office to the best of his the officer's​
148148 5.16judgment and ability.​
149149 5.17 article VI, section 4, will read:​
150150 5.18 Sec. 4. The number and boundaries of judicial districts shall be established in the manner​
151151 5.19provided by law but the office of a district judge shall not be abolished during his the judge's​
152152 5.20term. There shall be two or more district judges in each district. Each judge of the district​
153153 5.21court in any district shall be a resident of that district at the time of his the judge's selection​
154154 5.22and during his the judge's continuance in office.​
155155 5.23 article VI, section 6, will read:​
156156 5.24 Sec. 6. A judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals or the district court shall not​
157157 5.25hold any office under the United States except a commission in a reserve component of the​
158158 5.26military forces of the United States and shall not hold any other office under this state. His​
159159 5.27The term of office of the judge shall terminate at the time he the judge files as a candidate​
160160 5.28for an elective office of the United States or for a nonjudicial office of this state.​
161161 5.29 article VI, section 9, will read:​
162162 5.30 Sec. 9. The legislature may provide by law for retirement of all judges and for the​
163163 5.31extension of the term of any judge who becomes eligible for retirement within three years​
164164 5.32after expiration of the term for which he the judge is selected. The legislature may also​
165165 5​Section 1.​
166166 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​ 6.1provide for the retirement, removal or other discipline of any judge who is disabled,​
167167 6.2incompetent or guilty of conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.​
168168 6.3 article VI, section 10, will read:​
169169 6.4 Sec. 10. As provided by law a retired judge may be assigned to hear and decide any​
170170 6.5cause over which the court to which he the retired judge is assigned has jurisdiction.​
171171 6.6 article VI, section 13, will read:​
172172 6.7 Sec. 13. There shall be in each county one clerk of the district court whose qualifications,​
173173 6.8duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law. He The clerk shall serve at the pleasure​
174174 6.9of a majority of the judges of the district court in each district.​
175175 6.10 article VII, section 1, will read:​
176176 6.11 Section 1. Every person 18 years of age or more who has been a citizen of the United​
177177 6.12States for three months and who has resided in the precinct for 30 days next preceding an​
178178 6.13election shall be entitled to vote in that precinct. The place of voting by one otherwise​
179179 6.14qualified who has changed his the person's residence within 30 days preceding the election​
180180 6.15shall be prescribed by law. The following persons shall not be entitled or permitted to vote​
181181 6.16at any election in this state: A person not meeting the above requirements; a person who​
182182 6.17has been convicted of treason or felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under​
183183 6.18guardianship, or a person who is insane or not mentally competent.​
184184 6.19 article VII, section 2, will read:​
185185 6.20 Sec. 2. For the purpose of voting no person loses residence solely by reason of his the​
186186 6.21person's absence while employed in the service of the United States; nor while engaged​
187187 6.22upon the waters of this state or of the United States; nor while a student in any institution​
188188 6.23of learning; nor while kept at any almshouse or asylum; nor while confined in any public​
189189 6.24prison. No soldier, seaman sailor or marine in the army or navy of the United States is a​
190190 6.25resident of this state solely in consequence of being stationed within the state.​
191191 6.26 article VII, section 3, will read:​
192192 6.27 Sec. 3. The legislature shall provide for a uniform oath or affirmation to be administered​
193193 6.28at elections and no person shall be compelled to take any other or different form of oath to​
194194 6.29entitle him the person to vote.​
195195 6.30 article VII, section 6, will read:​
196196 6.31 Sec. 6. Every person who by the provisions of this article is entitled to vote at any​
197197 6.32election and is 21 years of age is eligible for any office elective by the people in the district​
198198 6​Section 1.​
199199 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​ 7.1wherein he the person has resided 30 days previous to the election, except as otherwise​
200200 7.2provided in this constitution, or the constitution and law of the United States.​
201201 7.3 article VII, section 8, will read:​
202202 7.4 Sec. 8. The returns of every election for officeholders elected statewide shall be made​
203203 7.5to the secretary of state who shall call to his the secretary's assistance two or more of the​
204204 7.6judges of the supreme court and two disinterested judges of the district courts. They shall​
205205 7.7constitute a board of canvassers to canvass the returns and declare the result within three​
206206 7.8days after the canvass.​
207207 7.9 article VIII, section 3, will read:​
208208 7.10 Sec. 3. No officer shall exercise the duties of his the office after he the officer has been​
209209 7.11impeached and before his the officer's acquittal.​
210210 7.12 article VIII, section 4, will read:​
211211 7.13 Sec. 4. No person shall be tried on impeachment before he the person has been served​
212212 7.14with a copy thereof at least 20 days previous to the day set for trial.​
213213 7.15 article XI, section 13, will read:​
214214 7.16 Sec. 13. All officers and other persons charged with the safekeeping of state funds shall​
215215 7.17be required to give ample security for funds received by them and to keep an accurate entry​
216216 7.18of each sum received and of each payment and transfer. If any person converts to his the​
217217 7.19person's own use in any manner or form, or shall loan, with or without interest, or shall​
218218 7.20deposit in his the person's own name, or otherwise than in the name of the state of Minnesota;​
219219 7.21or shall deposit in banks or with any person or persons or exchange for other funds or​
220220 7.22property, any portion of the funds of the state or the school funds aforesaid, except in the​
221221 7.23manner prescribed by law, every such act shall be and constitute an embezzlement of so​
222222 7.24much of the aforesaid state and school funds, or either of the same, as shall thus be taken,​
223223 7.25or loaned, or deposited or exchanged, and shall be a felony. Any failure to pay over, produce​
224224 7.26or account for the state school funds, or any part of the same entrusted to such officer or​
225225 7.27persons as by law required on demand, shall be held and be taken to be prima facie evidence​
226226 7.28of such embezzlement.​
227227 7.29 article XIII, section 7, will read:​
228228 7.30 Sec. 7. Any person may sell or peddle the products of the farm or garden occupied and​
229229 7.31cultivated by him the person without obtaining a license therefor.​
230230 7.32 article XIII, section 11, will read:​
231231 7​Section 1.​
232232 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​ 8.1 Sec. 11. A seal of the state shall be kept by the secretary of state and be used by him​
233233 8.2the secretary of state officially. It shall be called the great seal of the state of Minnesota.​
234234 8.3 Sec. 2. SEVERABILITY.​
235235 8.4 If a change included in the proposed amendment is found to be in violation of the​
236236 8.5Constitution or other than inconsequential by litigation before or after the submission of​
237237 8.6the amendment to the people, the change is without effect and severed from the other​
238238 8.7changes. The other changes must be submitted or remain in effect as though the improper​
239239 8.8change were not included.​
240240 8.9 Sec. 3. SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.​
241241 8.10 The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2026 general election.​
242242 8.11The question submitted must be:​
243243 8.12 "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to replace certain terms without any​
244244 8.13consequential changes in its legal effect?​
245245 8.14 Yes ...................
246246 "​8.15 No ....................
247247 8​Sec. 3.​
248248 REVISOR SGS/BM 25-01453​12/16/24 ​