Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4975: Certain former officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to reside in state veterans homes authorization

This bill expands eligibility for Minnesota state veterans homes to include former commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. To qualify, these individuals must have served on active duty for at least 181 consecutive days or been discharged due to service-related disability, and must have been separated under honorable conditions. The legislation amends existing state statutes to formally recognize these groups as veterans for the purpose of receiving nursing care and related health services at the homes.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4965: Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority regional solid waste management facilities

This bill authorizes the state to issue up to $7,267,000 in bonds to fund waste management projects for the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority, which serves five counties in western Minnesota. The funds will support the design and construction of an ash recovery and recycling plant that turns landfill ash into road construction material and recovers metals, as well as a waste transfer station to consolidate trash for regional processing. The money is allocated through a grant to Otter Tail County, which manages the joint powers board representing the participating counties. Once enacted, the state will sell the bonds to raise the necessary capital for these infrastructure improvements.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4953: Crime of providing material support or resources terrorism establishment

This bill establishes a new crime in Minnesota for providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations or groups engaged in terrorism. It directly affects any individual who knowingly offers property, services, training, or other assistance to such groups, explicitly excluding medical and religious materials from the definition. The legislation sets tiered criminal penalties ranging from ten years to forty years in prison and fines up to $100,000, depending on whether the support results in great bodily harm or death. These provisions will become effective on August 1, 2026, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4979: Early Childhood Educator Licensure Task Force establishment and appropriation

This bill establishes the Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure in Minnesota to develop a new system for licensing early childhood educators. The task force will include representatives from legislative bodies, child care centers, family programs, public schools, Tribal communities, Head Start programs, parents, medical professionals, and researchers, with appointments required by August 1, 2026. Its primary duties are to propose a plan for individual licensure, create competency frameworks that recognize skills beyond college degrees, and identify methods for improving educator qualifications. The group will meet regularly under the supervision of the commissioner of children, youth, and families, who will provide necessary administrative support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4956: Unified 911 center awareness platform that allows 911 centers to communicate and coordinate emergency responses development and implementation appropriation

This bill appropriates $1.75 million from the state general fund to support the development and implementation of a new 911 communication platform. The funds are allocated to the Commissioner of Public Safety, who will grant the money to the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board for the project. The platform is designed to enable 911 centers to share information and coordinate emergency responses across different jurisdictional boundaries in real time. Additionally, the grant allows the recipient to use the money for two years of ongoing maintenance for the system.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4961: Scholarships, dependent flexible spending accounts, and health spending accounts exclusion from the income definition used by the homestead credit refund program provision

This bill modifies Minnesota's homestead credit refund program by excluding scholarships, dependent flexible spending accounts, and health flexible spending accounts from the income calculation. Specifically, it removes these items from the list of income sources used to determine eligibility and the amount of the credit refund. The change directly affects taxpayers who receive these funds, ensuring they are not counted as taxable income for the purpose of this state tax benefit. By updating the statutory definition of income, the legislation aligns the credit calculation with how these specific financial benefits are treated under federal tax laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4989: City of Ramsey special transportation service provided by the Metropolitan Council requirement provision and appropriation

This bill requires the Metropolitan Council to provide special transportation services within the city of Ramsey, ensuring these services are integrated with existing transit options in the area. To fund this new requirement, the legislation appropriates $680,000 for capital costs and $470,000 for operating expenses from the state's general fund for fiscal year 2027. These funds are designated as a one-time allocation specifically to support the implementation of the mandated transportation service. The measure directly affects the Metropolitan Council by adding a new obligation and provides the necessary financial resources to carry it out.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4988: Bulk dry goods haulers per-axle weight increase authorization provision

This bill allows trucks carrying dry bulk goods in Minnesota to carry up to ten percent more weight on individual axles, provided the total weight of the entire vehicle remains within legal limits. It specifically defines "dry bulk goods" as homogeneous, unpackaged, nonliquid cargo moved in trailers designed for that purpose. The change directly affects transportation companies and drivers who operate these specialized vehicles by permitting higher axle loads.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4960: Trade or business income apportionment provision and foreign sales factors in the apportionment percentage of certain taxpayers requirement provision

This bill updates Minnesota's tax rules for businesses that sell goods across state lines and operate foreign subsidiaries. Starting in the 2026 tax year, it changes how certain companies calculate their state tax liability by gradually shifting the weight of their sales, property, and payroll factors toward 100% sales and 0% for property and payroll. Additionally, it requires specific manufacturers with foreign income to include that income in their sales calculations when determining their tax share. The law applies to businesses required to apportion income under current state statutes and does not affect those already using alternative methods.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4943: Motor vehicle registration tax holiday authorization for one year

This bill would temporarily waive vehicle registration taxes for anyone purchasing or renewing a car in Minnesota between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027. For new purchases, the tax is removed entirely, while for renewals, the registration is automatically extended by one year without requiring payment or new license plate tabs. The tax waiver does not apply to the additional fees charged specifically for electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. The law takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4999: Class 2 classification modification for agricultural land and market farming definition clarification

This bill modifies how Minnesota classifies agricultural land and clarifies the definition of market farming for property tax purposes. It updates the rules for Class 2 land, which includes agricultural homesteads, rural vacant land, and managed forests, by adjusting valuation rates and specifying how different types of land must be categorized. The legislation also refines the criteria for what counts as agricultural use, such as requiring at least ten acres of contiguous land for farming or specific conditions for intensive livestock operations. Additionally, it provides clearer guidelines on how assessors should handle parcels with mixed uses, like wooded areas interspersed with farmland, and sets application deadlines for reduced tax rates on managed forest land.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4981: Trespass of intangible particulate matter civil cause of action establishment provision

This bill creates a new legal cause of action in Minnesota for trespass involving airborne biological or chemical substances, such as pesticides and pollutants. It allows individuals whose land is affected by these airborne particles to sue for damages if the intrusion interferes with their right to exclusive possession of the property. If a court determines that such a trespass has occurred, it can award financial compensation or civil penalties of up to $100 per day, along with potential court orders to stop the activity. The legislation directly affects landowners and businesses by providing a specific legal mechanism to address pollution and other airborne contaminants on private property.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results