Committee advances $2.5 million grant plan for scenario‑based police use‑of‑force training

The House Public Safety Committee on Feb. 19 approved House File 541 and referred it to the Higher Education, Finance and Policy Committee. The bill, sponsored by Representative Steer, would appropriate $2,500,000 to the Office of Higher Education for reimbursement grants to post‑secondary professional peace officer education (PPOE) institutions to offer scenario‑based deadly‑force and de‑escalation training to peace officers at no cost to the officer or agency.

Representative Steer outlined the bill’s training priorities and funding mechanics. He said the bill “appropriates 2,500,000 to the office of higher education for reimbursement grants to post secondary schools” and described course requirements including scenario‑based trainings that “simulate real world situations and involve the use of real firearms that are fired non‑lethal ammunition.” Colleges that participate would be reimbursed “at a rate of $450 for each officer who completes the training,” he said.

Two PPOE coordinators testified in support. Andrew (Andy) Rooney of Alexandria Technical and Community College told the committee that simulation and stress‑testing in training produce “more realistic experience” for officers and that many institutions already offer similar pre‑service work. “This bill could provide a cost effective scenario based training option for departments in collaboration with their professional peace officer education partners to provide high quality training that all officers and communities in our state deserve,” Rooney said.

Tom Draper of Hennepin Technical College said the PPOE network has facilities and equipment statewide and could deliver standardized courses “at an optimal price for the agencies” using the proposed grant funding.

Committee members asked logistical and budget questions. Fiscal staff (Waltz) pointed out a drafting detail: the appropriation was written for fiscal year 2025 (current year) and should be amended to fiscal year 2026. Representative Muller offered a verbal amendment on page 1, line 6, deleting “2025” and inserting “2026”; the committee adopted the verbal amendment by voice vote. Members also discussed program delivery, reimbursement levels ($450 per officer), and typical local training budget pressures.

Representative Steer renewed his motion to re‑refer House File 541 to Higher Education, Finance and Policy; the committee adopted the motion by voice vote. The committee did not record a roll call in the transcript.

The bill as presented sets a framework for state reimbursement of scenario‑based in‑service training delivered through accredited PPOE institutions, with participating colleges reimbursed $450 per officer and the initial appropriation set at $2.5 million (to be applied in fiscal year 2026 under the verbal amendment).