Committee hears request for $3.5 million to fund violent crime enforcement teams in House File 2259

The House Public Safety Committee on March 19 received testimony on House File 2259, which would appropriate $3,500,000 in fiscal year 2026 to the commissioner of public safety to support violent crime enforcement teams (VCETs).

Representative Johnson, the bill’s sponsor, said the appropriation responds to requests from existing VCETs and would help specialized multi-jurisdictional teams investigate violent crime, gang activity, drug trafficking and gun trafficking. "VCETs investigate and combat violent crime particularly in relation to gang activity, drug and gun trafficking, and other serious crime activities," Johnson said.

Law enforcement testimony and evidence cited

Major Rick Ply of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office told the committee VCETs shifted resources to address the fentanyl crisis and reported large seizures statewide: "Since 2022, statewide VSET fentanyl pill seizures have tripled. Powder fentanyl seizures have doubled. The total was well over 600,000 fentanyl pills and over 75 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2024 alone," Ply said. He and other testifiers argued funding has not kept pace with rising costs for technology, training, evidence management, personnel and rent.

Commander Rich Clark of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said VCET funding has been flat or reduced for about a decade while operating costs and the technology gap with organized trafficking groups have increased. He and other law enforcement witnesses described VCETs as providing strong returns on investment through seizures, prosecutions and by uncovering related crimes such as human trafficking.

What the record shows

- Amount requested: $3,500,000 one-time appropriation to the Department of Public Safety in FY2026 for VCET grants. - Sponsor: Representative Johnson. - Statutory authority cited by the sponsor: section 299A.642 (VCET grants coordination). - Testimony: Major Rick Ply (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office) and Commander Rich Clark (Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office) testified on operations, seizure data and funding needs. - Outcome: House File 2259 was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee omnibus bill.

Clarifying details

Representative Johnson provided a funding request packet listing amounts requested by each of the 21 VCETs operating in Minnesota, according to his remarks. Major Ply and Commander Clark noted VCETs’ documented seizures in 2024 (over 600,000 fentanyl pills, over 75 pounds of powder) and described operational needs for training, evidence management and updated technology. Several members commented on overlap with human trafficking investigation grants and suggested coordination across grant lines.

Next steps

Committee members laid the bill over for possible inclusion in omnibus legislation and asked the author to coordinate with budget writers and other stakeholders as the process continues.