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House lets troopers, inspectors keep retired badges under bill passed Wednesday
Summary
House File 1255 authorizes certain state public safety employees to keep obsolete badges instead of destroying them; the House passed the measure after debate about historical value and fiscal note.
The Minnesota House on Wednesday passed House File 1255, allowing state troopers, commercial vehicle inspectors and Capitol security employees to retain obsolete badges replaced when the state seal changed.
Representative Novotny, the bill’s author, said the change responds to requests from current and retired officers who view the older badges as family heirlooms. Novotny told members the fiscal note showed a fair market value of $0 and that Senate negotiators removed language requiring payment because collecting such sums was impractical.
“Now, the new badges have already been ordered. They're already out there,” Novotny said, arguing the legislature should permit the older badges to be kept rather than destroyed. He offered anecdotal history about troopers preserving badges passed down within families.
The bill drew brief discussion on the floor. During roll call, the clerk recorded several 'no' votes; the final tally recorded “95 yays, 12 nays,” and the bill was passed and its title agreed to.
Votes at a glance: House File 1255 — Passed 95‑12.
The legislation does not specify a sale or transfer price; sponsors said the fiscal estimate valued the obsolete badges at zero and the Senate removed a payment requirement.
