This bill authorizes the sale of up to $4.1 million in state bonds to fund trail improvements along Trunk Highway 13 in Prior Lake. The funds will be used to design and build three sections of a multiuse path on the highway's west side, aiming to create a safer route to schools and better access for pedestrians and cyclists. The legislation requires the state to issue these bonds and deposit the proceeds into a dedicated account for the project's construction.
This bill establishes a new legal framework in Minnesota to create an "Interstate Fiscal Sovereignty Compact," which would allow the state to hold federal taxes in a separate trust fund rather than sending them directly to the federal government. If approved and activated by a compact commission, employers would stop remitting withheld income, Social Security, and unemployment taxes to the IRS and instead deposit those funds into a state-controlled escrow account. The money in this fund must remain in trust and cannot be used for any state expenses, though interest earned on the fund would be deposited back into it. The bill also sets up a process for employers to register and report these deposits, but no action is required until a specific order officially launches the compact.
This bill requires food manufacturers and brand owners in Minnesota to test packaged food products for ortho-phthalates and report the results to the commissioner of agriculture. The law defines specific terms such as "brand owner," "food manufacturer," and "packaged food product," while excluding items like meat, cheese, bakery goods, and produce packaged at retail locations. Companies must submit a written notice containing product descriptions, barcode numbers, testing dates, and specific chemical findings no later than 30 days before selling the product in the state. These reporting requirements are set to take effect on July 1, 2027.
This bill, known as the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Stewardship Act, establishes a new program in Minnesota to manage the recycling of specific portable and medium-format batteries. It directly affects manufacturers and organizations that produce or sell battery-containing products, requiring them to create and follow approved stewardship plans for proper disposal. The legislation creates an advisory task force to oversee the program and sets up a system for civil penalties to ensure compliance with these new rules. Additionally, the bill repeals several existing sections of state law related to electronics recycling to make way for this updated framework.
This bill modifies the contribution rates for the General Employees Retirement Plan in Minnesota, directly affecting public employees and their employers. It lowers the required employee contribution to 5.5% and the employer contribution to 7.5% for school employees starting July 1, 2026, while maintaining higher rates for other public sector workers. The legislation updates existing state statutes to reflect these new percentages, ensuring that salary deductions and employer payments align with the revised financial structure for the retirement plan.
This Senate resolution formally recognizes and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America on July 4, 2026. The bill directly affects the Minnesota Legislature by establishing an official record of this historical milestone and highlighting the Declaration of Independence's principles. It serves as a symbolic gesture to honor the nation's heritage and encourage civic reflection rather than implementing new laws or funding. The measure does not change existing policies or allocate resources but instead serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the event.
This bill allocates $2 million in state funding to Dakota County for the design and construction of improvements at Thompson County Park. It amends a 2023 appropriation to authorize these specific capital investment funds for the project. The grant covers various enhancements, such as a land bridge over Highway 52, Dakota Lodge renovations, and a sensory garden. Other funded items include a pollinator promenade, stream restoration, and a greenway rest area with a picnic shelter.
This bill creates a state tax credit for Minnesota employers who provide child care expenses to their employees. The credit is based on a percentage of the federal tax credit these employers already receive for such expenses, but it only counts costs incurred within Minnesota. To claim the credit, employers must apply to the Department of Employment and Economic Development, which will issue certificates based on a limited annual funding cap distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The bill also allows unused credits to be carried forward for up to five years and specifies how the credit is shared among partners or shareholders in certain business structures. This policy is set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.
This bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to use lease-purchase agreements and certificates of participation to fund improvements or a replacement of its MAXIS system. It allows the state commissioner to enter into contracts with vendors or third-party financiers to cover project costs, with repayment terms limited to the project's useful life or ten years, whichever is shorter. The legislation establishes rules for how funds are managed, including requirements for maintaining insurance, assuming liability, and handling default situations, while also permitting the transfer of initial funds from the general treasury to cover expected proceeds.
This bill expands the definition of road construction materials to include supplies and equipment used in building real property, thereby broadening the scope of vehicles that require special overweight permits. It allows road authorities to issue annual permits for six-axle vehicles hauling these materials up to 90,000 pounds and for seven-axle vehicles up to 97,000 pounds, with associated fees of $300 and $500 respectively. Additionally, the legislation prevents local governments from adopting ordinances that restrict aggregate mining or production facilities once a permit application is submitted or an environmental impact study is underway, ensuring local rules do not exceed state or federal conditions. The bill also mandates a legislative audit of how counties collect and spend aggregate production taxes and appropriates $250,000 to update the state's inventory of aggregate resources.
This bill allocates $3 million in state funds to the African Development Center to help small businesses recover from financial losses caused by Operation Metro Surge. The program offers forgivable loans to eligible businesses with 50 or fewer employees that are located in areas affected by the immigration enforcement operation. Funds can be used for rent, utilities, payroll, inventory replacement, and other essential operating costs, provided the recipients follow specific program rules. The African Development Center must submit a detailed report by February 2027 outlining how many businesses received aid and the program's overall impact.
This bill authorizes the state to issue up to $3,386,000 in bonds to fund improvements at the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport. The funds will be used by the city to design, construct, and equip specific airport upgrades, including rebuilding the aircraft parking ramp, resurfacing the taxiways, and installing a stormwater management system. The legislation also exempts this project from certain state laws that typically govern how such grants are awarded. Once passed, the state will sell the bonds to raise the necessary money, which will then be transferred to the city for the airport work.
