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Senate finance committee approves claims bill awarding $72,381 after A25 amendment
Summary
The Minnesota Senate Finance Committee on May 7 approved an amended claims bill (Senate File 3446) that includes exoneration and injury awards totaling $72,381.11 and a small reimbursement to the Department of Corrections.
The Minnesota Senate Finance Committee on May 7 recommended passage of Senate File 3446, the claims bill, after adopting the A25 amendment that incorporates joint committee recommendations.
The amendment and the bill were advanced by committee voice vote after brief explanation from the bill sponsor and counsel. Senator Clark presented the bill and Jason Kienle, assistant deputy revisor and counsel to the joint subcommittee on claims, described the amendment’s effect on appropriations.
The bill as amended includes three appropriations tied to claims reviewed by the joint claims committee. The committee recorded an exoneration payment of $65,000 to the estate of Vincent Boulay; a reimbursement of $849.86 to the Department of Corrections for medical expenses under “Minnesota statutes 3.739”; and a damages award of $66,531.25 to Victor Lynch for a permanent injury to his left hand. Committee speakers totaled the appropriation as $72,381.11.
Senator Pappas moved the A25 amendment; after no extended discussion the committee approved the amendment by voice vote. Senator Pappas then moved that the bill, as amended, be recommended to pass; the motion carried by voice vote.
Committee members briefly discussed the context of the exoneration award during questions. Senator Pappas characterized the 246 days a person spent in custody as an “injustice” in the particular case. Counsel Jason Kienle explained there is “a statutory minimum based on number of days” and additional categories that can increase an exoneration payment depending on circumstances. Senator Clark and other members described the bill as a straightforward mechanism to provide restitution in specific cases reviewed by the claims committee.
The committee did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript; actions were advanced by voice vote and are recorded here as committee approvals consistent with the meeting record.
The committee thanked the bill sponsors and counsel before moving to the next agenda item.
