Criminal Arson in the first degree statute of limitations elimination provision

SF 1600 eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting first-degree arson in Minnesota. This means prosecutors can file charges for this crime at any time, regardless of when the offense occurred, removing the current 6-year deadline. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 628.26 to specifically remove the time limit for violations of section 609.282 (which covers first-degree arson). It applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, or if the limitations period hadn't expired before that date. This change directly affects prosecutors and individuals who commit first-degree arson, allowing for potential charges to be filed years or decades after the crime.