A bill protecting Minnesotans who report unlawful conduct from retaliation in the courts has flown through the Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Mark Dayton's signature.
The Senate version of the bill, the result of a Washington County confrontation over campaign signs, breezed through the House on Thursday on a 130-0 vote. It amends an existing law to ensure legal immunity for anyone reporting crimes and promoting other "public participation" activities such as peaceful demonstrations.
"I believe it's good public policy to protect the citizenry cooperating with law enforcement, and I'm pleased the House and Senate felt the same," said Keith Mueller, a resident of the Washington County rural city of Grant who was sued after a campaign sign dispute.
Grant is a city of about 4,100 residents just west of Stillwater.
Mueller said Minnesotans now "are better protected from frivolous lawsuits aimed at silencing one's testimony."
The legislation stems from a controversy that began in 2010 when Jeffrey L. Nielsen was charged with disorderly conduct, theft and two traffic offenses after he was accused of taking campaign signs belonging to Steve Bohnen, who was campaigning for the Grant City Council.
Nielsen was convicted of disorderly conduct, while the other charges were dropped. He then sued Mueller, who had reported him, along with Bohnen and Washington County. The lawsuit led to years of courtroom battles and hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills for the defendants, who ultimately were able to get their cases dismissed.
The bill passed Thursday further clarifies a state law intended to prevent intimidation of Minnesotans performing their civic duty. Mueller and Bohnen testified at the Legislature that the law was insufficient and needed clarification.
