Minnesota Legislator Introduces Law to Imprison Governor Over Unilateral COVID State-of-Emergency Orders
by
A Minnesota legislator has introduced a law that would prevent the state’s governor from unilaterally declaring a state of emergency. The law, introduced by, Erik Mortensen of Shakopee, would even sentence the governor to jail time for declaring a state of emergency without authorization from Minnesota’s state legislature.
Mortensen is citing the endless state of emergency enacted for the coronavirus pandemic as justification for HF 2204, or the Unilateral Emergency Powers Repeal Act. The legislation would require support from two-thirds of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate for declaring a peacetime state of emergency. An exception is made for times of war.