Farm Equipment Damage and Agricultural Trespassing Crimes Established
Summary
The Minnesota House passed HF3566 establishing new criminal offenses for damaging farm machinery and equipment and for trespassing on agricultural land. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Harder, Burkel, and Allen, was introduced February 20, 2026, and passed February 23, 2026. Specific penalties were not detailed in available records.
What changed
HF3566 creates two new criminal offenses under Minnesota law: (1) criminal damage to farm machinery and equipment, and (2) criminal trespass on agricultural land. The bill was sponsored by Republican representatives Bobbie Harder, John Burkel, and Keith Allen, and received committee referrals to both Agriculture Finance and Policy and Public Safety Finance and Policy during the 94th Legislature (2025-2026).
Affected parties include agricultural operators who own farm equipment and land, as well as any individuals who may engage in equipment damage or unauthorized entry on agricultural property. While the bill provides for criminal penalties, specific fine amounts and imprisonment terms were not specified in available legislative records. Agricultural firms and rural property owners should familiarize themselves with these new statutory provisions once the bill becomes law.
What to do next
- Agricultural firms should review internal security measures to prevent equipment damage and unauthorized entry
- Legal counsel should monitor the bill for signing date and effective date to determine when provisions take effect
- Rural property owners should document any existing trespassing issues as these may now carry criminal consequences
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Minnesota / HF3566 Passed HF3566 HF Passed 2026-02-23
Crime for damage to farm machinery and equipment established, crime for trespasses on agricultural land established, and criminal penalties provided.
Bill Details
State Minnesota
Session 94th Legislature 2025-2026
Chamber House
Committee Public Safety Finance and Policy
Official Source www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/HF/3566/
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Sponsors
Bobbie Harder (Rep - R) John Burkel (Rep - R) Keith Allen (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-03-26 H Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to Public Safety Finance and Policy 2026-02-23 H Introduction and first reading, referred to Agriculture Finance and Policy
Committee Referrals
2026-02-23 H Agriculture Finance and Policy 2026-03-26 H Public Safety Finance and Policy
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-20 Introduced Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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