Committee approves law letting local governments accept donations after line‑of‑duty deaths

The committee unanimously approved the first engrossment of House File 124, a bill that authorizes political subdivisions to accept and manage gifts and fundraising related to a public safety officer killed in the line of duty.

Representative (author) introduced the DE2 amendment, which added a provision authorizing a political subdivision to receive a gift on behalf of one or more public safety officers who were killed in the line of duty and to distribute funds to intended recipients. The amendment also authorizes local governments to fundraise and expend funds for funeral or memorial services, including travel to national memorial events, and allows subdivisions to establish policies consistent with the statute. The statute would permit such use and fundraising for a set period (the amendment discussed a 24-month window).

Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jonghman described the 02/18/2024 incident that killed three public safety personnel and said the community response was overwhelming. Borg said current statute made it difficult for departments to accept and use well-meaning donations and that the bill would provide clarity so local agencies can accept gifts and support healing and memorial events.

Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said team morale and cohesion are critical after a line-of-duty death and that the bill would enable the city to accept and distribute donations to support staff and families.

The committee took the bill with thanks to the authors and unanimous assent by voice vote.

Ending: The author said the bill is intended to be broadly written so communities have clarity if similar tragedies occur in the future.