The "Never Again Act" proposes a significant shift in Minnesota's emergency management framework by transferring the authority to declare emergencies from the governor to the legislature. Under this bill, emergency declarations would require a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature, effectively repealing the governor's power to issue orders and expedited rules that carry the force of law during emergencies. The bill also emphasizes the protection of citizens' rights, ensuring that the governor or state director cannot infringe upon fundamental rights such as free speech, religious beliefs, assembly, and the right to operate a business.

In addition to these changes, the bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to clarify the legislative process for emergency declarations and the distribution of medical products during emergencies. It specifically replaces the term "governor" with "legislature" in relevant sections and introduces new provisions that outline the conditions for declaring emergencies, including public health and national security situations. The bill also repeals outdated statutes related to emergency executive orders and clarifies the conditions under which medical distributions can occur, while providing liability protections for individuals authorized to perform vaccinations or drug dispensing in good faith. Overall, the bill aims to enhance legislative oversight and streamline the emergency response process in Minnesota.

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