House Public Safety Committee advances multi-part public safety bill, including tougher penalties and tracking-device changes

House File 7, a package of public-safety measures largely authored by House Republicans, was advanced from the House Public Safety Committee to the Ways and Means Committee after testimony from law enforcement groups, a civil‑liberties advocate and policy researchers.

Representative Novotny, chair of the House Public Safety Committee and lead sponsor, told the panel the bill “represents the priorities of the House Republican caucus in the public safety area,” adding it seeks to help law enforcement, keep “violent and dangerous offenders off the street,” and increase transparency in charging and sentencing decisions.

The bill combines about a dozen provisions drawn from prior sessions. Advocates at the hearing said the components address several recurring issues: a rise in vehicle theft and “joyriding,” assaults on officers and what witnesses described as a perceived lack of accountability in charging and sentencing decisions.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said local teams have reduced auto thefts and carjackings but argued tougher criminal penalties and additional tools are needed to sustain those gains. “We would not have been able to reduce crime without pursuing suspects,” Fletcher said, adding that the bill would help officers “catch them in the car” by expanding existing fleeing and stolen‑vehicle provisions and by allowing…