The "Unilateral Emergency Powers Repeal Act" proposes a significant shift in Minnesota's emergency management by transferring the authority to declare emergencies from the governor to the legislature. Under this bill, the governor's power to declare emergencies and issue orders with the force of law would be repealed, requiring a two-thirds vote from both legislative houses to declare an emergency, which would last a maximum of five days unless extended by a similar vote. The bill emphasizes the protection of citizens' rights during emergencies, ensuring that fundamental rights such as free speech, religious beliefs, assembly, and the right to operate a business are not infringed upon.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to redefine "declared emergency" and modify the governor's powers during emergencies. It introduces new legislative processes for emergency declarations and clarifies the definitions of "emergency medical reasons" and "transaction," ensuring certain distributions of medical products are exempt from being classified as transactions under specific emergency conditions. The bill also protects individuals authorized to perform vaccinations or drug dispensing from criminal liability when acting in good faith and repeals outdated statutes related to emergency declarations, thereby streamlining the legal framework for emergency responses.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 12.03, 12.21, 12.25, 12.36, 12.45, 12.61, 14.03, 34A.11, 35.0661, 41B.047, 144.4197, 144E.266, 151.441, 270C.34, 295.50