Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · House May 6, 2026

HF 5105: Criminal penalties for domestic violence-related crimes enhanced.

This bill strengthens penalties for violating domestic violence protection orders in Minnesota by categorizing repeat offenses and those involving weapons as more serious crimes. Under the new rules, a first violation is a misdemeanor with a minimum three-day jail sentence, while a second violation within ten years becomes a gross misdemeanor with a minimum ten-day sentence. A third violation within that same period or any violation involving a weapon or a prior felony conviction is classified as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The legislation also clarifies arrest procedures, requiring officers to hold violators for at least 36 hours and granting immunity from civil lawsuits to officers acting in good faith.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Minnesota · House May 6, 2026

HR 10: A house resolution reaffirming the commitment of the Minnesota House of Representatives to strengthening and deepening sister ties between the state of Minnesota and Taiwan; reaffirming support for the Taiwan Relations Act by urging all enterprises in Minnesota to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan; supporting Taiwan's signing of a bilateral trade agreement, the avoidance of double taxation agreement, and the Indo-Pacific economic framework for prosperity with the United States; and reiterating continued support for increasing Taiwan's international profile.

This House resolution expresses the Minnesota legislature's support for strengthening the state's sister-state relationship with Taiwan and encourages local businesses to refer to the region as "Taiwan." The bill highlights existing economic ties, such as trade in agricultural products, and calls for the United States and Taiwan to finalize a bilateral trade agreement and a double taxation treaty. It also advocates for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and condemns actions that restrict its diplomatic engagement. As a non-binding resolution, the measure does not create new laws but serves to formally record the House's stance on these issues.

in committee · Minnesota · House May 6, 2026

HF 5108: Operating referendum ballot notice modified, and authority for the school board to renew a referendum without seeking voter approval unless notice requirements are met eliminated.

This bill modifies how Minnesota school districts must notify voters about operating referendums and changes the rules for renewing these levies without a new vote. It requires that ballot notices for renewing existing levies at the same per-pupil rate must now state that the referendum may be renewed once by the school board, while also updating the standard notice language to reflect this possibility. Under new provisions, a school board can renew an expiring referendum without seeking voter approval only if the original ballot included a specific renewal statement and the new per-pupil amount matches the expiring rate or follows the original inflation adjustment. These changes to the notification process and renewal authority will take effect for referenda conducted on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 6, 2026

SF 5269: State guardian ad litem program records subject to the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Guardian Ad Litem Program

This bill updates Minnesota law to make records from the state guardian ad litem program available to the public under specific access rules. It directly affects the State Guardian Ad Litem Board and the Supreme Court by requiring the Board to follow established procedures for releasing these documents. The change ensures that information related to the program is handled consistently with other judicial records, while still allowing the Board to suggest updates to these rules.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 6, 2026

SF 5263: Certain graduation requirements for international baccalaureate program students waiver provision

This bill allows Minnesota school districts and charter schools to waive specific graduation credit requirements for students enrolled in International Baccalaureate programs. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, eligible students who are on track to complete their IB diploma or career-related program can receive these waivers if the school determines that requiring the credits would prevent them from pursuing their IB studies. The waiver is granted upon parental application and can be revoked if a student is not on track by the start of grade 12, at which point they must complete the originally required credits.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · House May 6, 2026

HF 4173: Certain defined terms maintained, and data center exemptions modified.

This bill modifies Minnesota's tax exemption rules for data centers by creating a new category for large-scale facilities and updating the definition of enterprise information technology equipment. It directly affects businesses constructing or operating data centers in the state by changing the financial thresholds required to qualify for sales tax exemptions on equipment and software. The legislation defines a qualified large-scale data center as a facility with at least 25,000 square feet and a minimum investment of $250 million over 60 months, while also clarifying what counts as enterprise information technology equipment for tax purposes. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to purchases made after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House May 6, 2026

HF 3936: Greater Minnesota public television station operations funding provided, and money appropriated.

This bill appropriates $1,925,000 from Minnesota's general fund to support the operations of five public television stations in Greater Minnesota for fiscal year 2026. The funding is distributed as specific grants to Pioneer PBS, Lakeland PBS, KSMQ, PBS North, and Prairie Public television, with amounts ranging from $200,000 to $650,000 for each station. The legislation takes effect the day after it is officially enacted and directs the commissioner of administration to manage the distribution of these funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Minnesota · Senate May 6, 2026

SF 3593: Constitutional Amendment proposal to modify the permanent school fund investment, management, and distribution policy

SF 3593 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Minnesota's Permanent School Fund calculates annual distributions to school districts. It replaces the current "investment income" formula with a new "distributable amount" based on 4.5% of the fund's average net asset value over the previous three fiscal years. This change aims to ensure more stable, predictable annual payments while preserving the fund's long-term value for future school funding. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election and would take effect July 1, 2027. School districts across Minnesota would directly receive these revised annual distributions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 6, 2026

SF 3840: State Fire Code alcohol-blended fuel equipment compatibility standards

This bill establishes safety standards for fuel dispensing equipment used with alcohol-blended fuels containing more than 10% ethanol. It requires such equipment (including dispensers, hoses, nozzles, and pumps) to have third-party safety certification for the specific ethanol concentration (within 5 percentage points) and written manufacturer certification of compatibility. These rules apply directly to fuel station operators and equipment manufacturers in Minnesota. The requirements aim to ensure equipment safety without altering existing fire safety provisions like electrical classifications or emergency shutoff systems.

Topics ✓ Energy

died · Minnesota · Senate May 6, 2026

SF 3587: Hospital construction moratorium exception provision

SF 3587 creates specific exceptions to Minnesota's hospital construction moratorium, which generally prohibits increasing bed capacity or building new hospitals. The bill allows certain projects to proceed, including pediatric bed consolidations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, additions of up to 35 beds in a Rice County psychiatric hospital serving out-of-state patients, and limited bed increases in specific counties (Beltrami, Otter Tail, Carver, Itasca). It directly affects hospitals meeting these narrow criteria, such as those with national referral status or existing approved projects. The key mechanism is listing qualifying projects that bypass the moratorium restrictions, ensuring they can expand or relocate beds without requiring a certificate of need.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Minnesota · Senate May 6, 2026

SF 3955: Commissioner of veterans affairs permission to close veterans homes under certain circumstances

This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to allow the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to close a veterans home if required by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) after receiving an involuntary termination notice. It requires the commissioner to first safely transfer all residents to appropriate settings under existing law, and to notify the governor and relevant legislative committees before closing. The change specifically permits closures under CMS mandates while maintaining existing protections for residents. This directly affects Minnesota veterans homes and the veterans/spouses residing in them who may be relocated under these conditions.

in committee · Minnesota · House May 6, 2026

HF 2904: Public employees insurance program regulated, participation by certain school employers required, and money appropriated.

HF 2904 requires certain Minnesota school employers - including school districts, charter schools, and vocational education centers - to join the state's public employees insurance program. It establishes an "educator group insurance program" specifically for school employees, mandating coverage tiers that match existing school employee pool options and including high-deductible plans. The bill creates a labor management committee with 12 members (including seven from Education Minnesota and representatives from unions and school administrators) to study program issues like cost efficiency. It also requires mutual agreement between the commissioner and the committee before changing cost-sharing plans. This bill directly affects school employees and their employers by integrating them into the state's insurance framework with specific administrative structures.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Liz Reyer (D) · 33 co-sponsors

Bill results