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The legislations intent, just like it was in 2018 and last year, isnt to stifle anyones First Amendment rights to free speech or to peaceably assemble. Rather, the Minnesota Senates proposed Worker Safety and Energy Security Act is all about stiffening fines and other penalties when protesting goes too far.

In other words, the measure is meant to curb attempts to close pipeline valves, break into facilities, immobilize construction equipment, and other criminal activity carried out in the name of protest but that actually jeopardize the safety of workers and the public. Scary incidents have occurred at electrical-transmission routes, along oil pipelines, and at pipeline-construction sites. Incidents in or near the Minnesota cities of Clearbrook and Grand Rapids have made headlines in recent years.

Dangerous acts of vandalism are likely to only increase with Enbridges Line 3 Replacement Project and PolyMets copper-nickel mine both inching closer to reality here in Northeastern Minnesota.

We need to do what we can to build some of these additional precautions and different things into place for the construction season, Sen. Paul Utke, R-Park Rapids and the chief author of SF3230, said in an interview this week with the News Tribune Opinion page.

Were trying to be a step ahead and have pieces in place that will give law enforcement and our legal system a few more tools in their toolbox to handle these people who are breaking the law. We (want to) try to keep our workers and everybody else safe, he said. Its not stepping out of bounds. Its just basically reinforcing laws we currently have, but in todays society sometimes weve got to move them up the stepladder a rung or two to make sure people take them seriously.

Under the proposed law, violations would become felonies, and penalties would be increased to not more than five years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine for criminal trespass and not more than seven years and/or $20,000 for damage to property. Additionally, anyone training perpetrators in the performance of criminal acts could be held liable under the measure.

The bill needs to be written tightly enough so lawyers who simply advise environmental groups or column writers who favor nonviolent protest and others wouldnt inadvertently also be able to be charged with felonies. Imposing collective guilt isnt good policy and, encouragingly, isnt the intent. Neither is infringing on anyones right to peaceably and lawfully protest. The bill cant be written in any way that would hamper anyones freedom of expression.

A similar bill passed both the state House and Senate in 2018, only to be vetoed by Gov. Mark Dayton. A bill last year was removed unexpectedly during the sessions closing moments, according to Utke.

For the safety of workers and worksites in Minnesota, the bill, written tightly enough to avoid overreach or the infringement on anyones First Amendment rights, can reach the finish line this legislative session.

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Other Opinion: Stiffen law for protests that go too far - Brainerd Dispatch