Minnesota Bills

signed · Minnesota · Senate May 6, 2026

SF 1251: Expiration removal of crossbow hunting and fishing allowance

This bill removes the June 30, 2025 expiration date from Minnesota’s crossbow hunting and fishing allowance. It directly affects hunters and anglers who use crossbows to take deer, bear, turkey, common carp, or native rough fish during regular archery seasons. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 97B.037 to eliminate the sunset provision, making the crossbow allowance permanent. This change ensures the existing crossbow hunting and fishing rules remain in effect without needing future legislative action to extend them. The bill does not alter the current requirements for licenses, transportation, or crossbow specifications.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5261: Tax preparers marking a tax return designating a contribution to the state elections campaign account without explicit instruction from the taxpayer prohibition provision

This bill prohibits tax preparers in Minnesota from marking a tax return to designate a contribution to the state elections campaign account unless the taxpayer explicitly instructs them to do so. The legislation amends existing standards of conduct for tax professionals to add this specific restriction, ensuring that political contributions are not made without clear authorization from the client. Directly affecting tax preparers and taxpayers, the measure aims to prevent unauthorized political donations while maintaining the current legal framework for tax preparation services.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5259: Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities requirement to designate a flagship institution

This bill requires the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to select one university as the state's flagship institution by January 1, 2027. To qualify, the chosen campus must demonstrate a clear strategic plan, strong potential for economic and intellectual growth, consistent enrollment increases, and a commitment to receiving priority funding for capital projects. Once designated, the flagship university would gain the ability to request autonomy from certain system-wide rules and restrictions. The legislation directly impacts the state's higher education system by establishing specific criteria for this special status and altering how resources and authority are distributed among institutions.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5258: Health care access fund transfers prohibition

This bill prohibits moving money from Minnesota's Health Care Access Fund to other state funds, with very limited exceptions. It ensures that any spending from the fund must align with how the program was funded in the 1990s or be part of a specific federal health care waiver. The law also blocks transfers to other state accounts unless they go to a designated special revenue fund. These rules directly affect how the state manages and spends the money set aside for MinnesotaCare.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5260: Polling place designations requirements establishment for school district special elections in districts with boundaries that include more than one county

This bill requires school districts in Minnesota that span multiple counties to designate at least one polling place within each county where more than 5,000 registered voters live. It also mandates that voters receive a mailed notice about special elections, which must include the election date, hours, polling location, the cost of holding the election, and the amount saved by using combined polling places. The notice must be sent at least 14 days before the election and posted on the school district's website, with specific exceptions for certain election dates and mail-in only elections. These changes directly affect school districts conducting special elections across county lines and the voters participating in those elections.

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5112: Partnerships for dental services provided in correctional facilities authorized, commissioner of corrections required to improve correctional facilities' dental services, report required, and money appropriated.

This bill directs the Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections to explore partnerships with external groups, such as dental schools and mobile clinics, to enhance dental care in state prisons. The commissioner must evaluate these options and submit a report by January 15, 2027, outlining potential partnerships, funding strategies, and any necessary legislative changes. Additionally, the law requires the commissioner to improve inmate access to preventive, restorative, and emergency dental treatments. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates unspecified funds from the state's general budget for the fiscal year 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5115: Marked U.S. Highway 8 reconstruction funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the reconstruction of Marked U.S. Highway 8 in Minnesota, directing funds to the state Department of Transportation and Chisago County for engineering, design, and construction work. The legislation allocates $24 million from trunk highway bonds and $15 million from general obligation bonds to expand the road to four lanes, build frontage roads, and improve pedestrian and bike trails. Money from these bond sales will be used only after non-state funding sources are confirmed, and any previously planned resurfacing funds for this highway will be redirected to support the reconstruction project.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5262: City of Hutchinson Camp Craig Training Facility prior appropriation modifications

This bill modifies a prior appropriation to provide $3.7 million in state funding to the city of Hutchinson. The money is designated for the Camp Craig Training Facility to support the Civil Air Patrol in building and equipping a hangar and statewide training center. By updating the legal text, the legislation ensures these funds can be used for the project's design, construction, and equipment needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5113: Funding provided for hiring to support activities under the Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act, and money appropriated.

This bill allocates $163,000 from the state's general fund for fiscal year 2027 to hire an additional full-time employee. The new position will be managed by the commissioner of labor and industry to support the Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act. This funding directly affects the state's labor department and the workers covered by the existing safe workplace legislation. The money is intended to provide dedicated staff resources to carry out the requirements of the act.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5257: Parent's Bill of Rights

SF 5257, titled the Parent's Bill of Rights, establishes a legal framework in Minnesota to protect parental authority over the upbringing, education, and health care of their minor children. The bill explicitly reserves these rights to parents and prohibits government entities from obstructing them, requiring written consent for medical procedures, biometric scans, and the storage of biological samples unless a medical emergency exists. It also mandates that parents be notified if a crime is suspected against their child and prohibits employees from coercing children to withhold information from parents. While the act affirms these protections, it clarifies that it does not authorize child abuse, neglect, or actions that would end a child's life, nor does it restrict the legal authority of courts and law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5117: Parent's bill of rights created.

This bill establishes a "Parent's Bill of Rights" in Minnesota to protect the authority of parents over their minor children's upbringing, education, and healthcare. It mandates that government entities and schools cannot interfere with parental decisions regarding education methods, moral training, medical consent, and the privacy of school and medical records. The law also requires written parental consent before biometric scans, DNA collection, or recording a child, with specific exceptions for emergencies or legitimate security needs. Additionally, it prohibits employees from pressuring children to hide information from parents or from discriminating against parents who exercise these rights.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✗ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SR 84: A Senate resolution congratulating Liam Arroyo of Rochester, Minnesota, for earning the rank of Eagle Scout

This Senate resolution formally congratulates Liam Arroyo of Rochester, Minnesota, for achieving the highest rank in Scouting America, known as Eagle Scout. The bill recognizes his completion of all required skills and a specific community service project supporting Family Promise to help prevent family homelessness. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send an official copy of the resolution to Arroyo as a gesture of appreciation for his accomplishment.

Bill results