This bill replaces Minnesota's current vehicle registration tax system, which was based on a vehicle's purchase price, with a new system that charges fees based on the vehicle's total gross weight. It directly affects all owners of passenger automobiles and hearses by changing how they calculate their annual registration costs. Under the new rules, drivers will pay a graduated tax amount determined by specific weight ranges rather than a percentage of the car's price, and the legislation removes existing surcharges for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
This bill allows high school students in Minnesota's International Baccalaureate programs to skip certain graduation credit requirements if those classes conflict with their IB curriculum. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools must grant this waiver to students who are on track for an IB diploma or career-related program by the start of their 11th grade and would otherwise be unable to participate in the program. The waiver remains in effect only as long as the student stays on track; if they fall behind by the beginning of their 12th grade, the school can require them to complete the missed credits to graduate.
This bill creates a program to provide financial payments to nonprofit hospitals in Minnesota that offer charity care to patients who cannot afford their medical bills. The state will collect money from a hospital surcharge and place it in a dedicated account to fund these payments, which are distributed based on the amount of charity care each eligible hospital provides. Nonprofit hospitals licensed in the state are eligible to receive funds, while state-run facilities, VA medical centers, and long-term acute care hospitals are excluded. The commissioner of health will manage the program, calculating payments by adjusting the reported charity care amounts to reflect actual costs before distributing the available funds.
This bill makes records from Minnesota's state guardian ad litem program available to the public under specific access rules. It directly affects the State Guardian Ad Litem Board and members of the public who seek information about the program's operations. The key change requires that these records be treated according to the established Rules of Public Access to Records of the Guardian Ad Litem Program, while allowing the Board to suggest updates to these rules for the Supreme Court to review. By amending existing state statutes, the legislation formalizes how information from this child welfare program is shared with the public.
This bill modifies Minnesota's individual income and corporate franchise tax laws to require companies to add back certain pharmaceutical marketing expenses. Specifically, it targets direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs and biologics, which are currently deductible under federal tax rules. The legislation defines these marketing activities as promotional efforts aimed at consumers through various media channels and applies to manufacturers who produce these medications. Starting with taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, companies will no longer be able to deduct the costs of these specific marketing campaigns when calculating their state tax liability.
This bill modifies Minnesota's corporate farm law to clarify and expand the definitions of family farms and related agricultural entities. It directly affects nonprofit corporations, family trusts, and individuals involved in farming by updating how they are classified under state statutes. The key provision redefines terms like "family farm corporation" and "authorized farm corporation" to include specific ownership structures, such as trusts held by relatives within the third degree of kinship, while maintaining limits on land ownership and non-farming income. By amending the legal definitions, the legislation aims to ensure that these specific types of family-owned agricultural operations continue to qualify for existing exemptions and protections under the law.
This bill modifies how Minnesota calculates registration taxes for passenger automobiles and hearses, directly affecting vehicle owners and dealers. It establishes a new tax rate of 1.575 percent based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price for vehicles registered on or after November 16, 2020, while maintaining a slightly lower rate for older registrations. The legislation introduces a tiered tax devaluation schedule that reduces the taxable value of a vehicle by a specific percentage each year it remains in use, with the reduction amount varying depending on the vehicle's price range. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the tax calculation excludes the cost of optional accessories and destination charges, except for pre-2020 registrations.
This bill repeals existing affirmative action requirements for state agencies in Minnesota, removing the mandate for the state to establish specific goals and programs to increase the employment of members of protected groups. While the legislation eliminates these targeted initiatives, it retains the policy that state hiring and performance evaluations must be based on merit and free from discrimination based on race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics. The law also keeps in place a requirement for agency managers to receive training on identifying and mitigating bias in the hiring and evaluation processes. Ultimately, the bill shifts the state's approach from proactive affirmative action plans to a focus on equal opportunity and nondiscrimination without setting numerical targets for diverse representation.
This bill requires bail enforcement agents in Minnesota to obtain a license from the Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services, which will also be responsible for setting rules regarding their training and conduct. It prohibits bail bond companies from hiring unlicensed agents and establishes criminal penalties for violations, while also mandating that licensed agents keep specific records. Additionally, the legislation explicitly forbids licensed bail enforcement agents from enforcing civil immigration laws.
This bill introduces new regulations in Minnesota to restrict the ownership and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, while also banning the sale of binary trigger systems. It expands criminal penalties for possessing dangerous weapons in schools and for negligently storing firearms, and it specifically criminalizes the manufacture and sale of untraceable "ghost guns." Additionally, the legislation strengthens the state's extreme risk protection order system, requires law enforcement to report firearm discharges more comprehensively, and allocates funding to support public awareness campaigns and mental health services.
This bill provides funding and updates policies for Minnesota's agriculture, broadband, and rural development sectors. It allocates specific grants to various agricultural organizations, including the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and the Minnesota Turf Seed Council, to support legal costs, research, and business development. Additionally, the legislation allows for the donation of eggs past their quality assurance date and directs funds to food banks for purchasing milk from local processors. The bill also amends existing state statutes to reflect these financial adjustments and policy changes.
This bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution that explicitly states a preborn child has a right to life. It defines a preborn child as a living human fetus from fertilization until live birth and requires voter approval at the 2026 general election for the amendment to take effect in 2027. The text includes specific language ensuring that medical treatment to save a pregnant person's life or the removal of a nonviable or deceased fetus remains allowed.
