St. Cloud Sun

Rep. Paul Novotny provided an update on legislative activities during the third week of the Republican majority at the Minnesota Capitol. He described ongoing efforts focused on key legislative priorities and highlighted participation in policy discussions and committee hearings.

Novotny discussed his recent appearance on MPR News’ Politics Friday with Brian Bakst, where he addressed crime and public safety issues being debated at the Capitol. The topics included traffic offenses and felony crime sentencing.

He announced his support for House File 435 (HF 435), introduced by Rep. Mary Franson, which would require that only biological females be housed at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee. "This legislation is about maintaining clear policies and ensuring our correctional system operates with consistency and accountability," Novotny said. He explained that HF 435 clarifies housing policy by specifying that only biological females can be housed at Shakopee, without exceptions, and requires transfers for inmates who do not meet this standard within seven days of enactment. "At the end of the day, HF 435 is about setting clear rules and sticking to them. I stand behind this bill and will continue supporting policies that bring structure, fairness, and accountability to our institutions," he stated.

Novotny also expressed support for House File 15 (HF 15), highlighted during a press conference by Rep. Elliott Engen. The bill seeks to enhance school safety by requiring districts to assess security needs as part of their long-term facilities maintenance plans, focusing on improvements such as secure entrances or surveillance systems. Additionally, it allocates funding so schools can implement these measures without diverting resources from other maintenance needs. "Bottom line: HF 15 is about being proactive, not reactive. We shouldn’t wait for a tragedy to take action—we should be doing everything we can to prevent one," Novotny commented.

The update included mention of a meeting with representatives from LifeSource—a group working across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Wisconsin—to promote organ donation awareness amid a need for more registered donors in the region.

Novotny reported discussions with Sherburne County Commissioners Andrew Hulse, Rae Anne Danielloski, and Gary Gray regarding local community needs and potential collaborative efforts aimed at improving Sherburne County.

Additionally, he met with Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer along with officers Treichler and Kunkel to discuss law enforcement challenges in keeping communities safe. "Sheriff Deringer and his team work tirelessly to ensure that our families and neighborhoods are protected, and it’s an honor to support them in any way I can," Novotny said.

He encouraged constituents to share feedback or seek further information regarding ongoing legislative initiatives through direct contact or social media updates.