Minnesota Bills

This bill creates a financial relief program for hospitals and community-based safety net providers in Minnesota that face high levels of uncompensated care. It allows these facilities to apply for state funds to cover costs from treating patients who are uninsured, ineligible for public insurance, and whose care costs between $5,000 and $50,000. The program distributes money proportionally based on the total value of care provided, with a cap ensuring no single provider receives more than 10% of the available funds. Hospitals must submit documentation for services provided during two semi-annual reporting periods to receive reimbursement.

This bill requires the Minnesota Commissioner of Management and Budget to list specific costs for each medical assistance service in the state's annual financial forecast. It also mandates that the commissioner, working with the commissioner of human services, submit a detailed report to key legislative committee leaders identifying which covered services are required by federal law. These changes aim to provide lawmakers with a clearer breakdown of healthcare spending and federal mandates within the state budget. The legislation directly affects state budget officials and the legislative committees responsible for overseeing medical assistance programs.

This bill appropriates $4.634 million from the state's general fund to provide access to the Rent Smart, Wise and Ready online rental education course. The funds will be used by the Housing Finance Agency to purchase licenses for the curriculum, specifically targeting individuals and families seeking rental assistance as well as households in subsidized housing programs. The agency is required to contract with Build Wealth MN, the sole developer of the course, to deliver the program statewide. This one-time funding is intended to help these residents better understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants.

This bill prohibits local elected officials in Minnesota from signing nondisclosure agreements related to potential data center projects within their jurisdictions. It directly affects city councils, mayors, county commissioners, and other local leaders by making such confidentiality contracts void and unenforceable. If a local government enters into a violating agreement, the law requires them to publicly disclose the contract, though other parts of the deal can remain valid. The restrictions apply only to agreements entered into on or after August 1, 2026.

This bill establishes rules for distributed energy resource aggregators in Minnesota, which are companies that group together smaller energy sources like solar panels or batteries to sell power in wholesale markets. It gives the state energy commission the authority to oversee these aggregators to ensure grid safety and prevent customers from paying twice for the same energy service. The law requires utilities to create specific agreements with these aggregators regarding data sharing and billing, while also allowing the commission to charge fees to cover the costs of administering these new regulations.

This bill prohibits Minnesota state and local government agencies, as well as law enforcement entities, from accepting military-grade weapons through the Pentagon's 1033 program. The legislation defines "military-grade weapons" to include combat vehicles, aircraft, and offensive arms while explicitly excluding non-weapon items like generators and medical equipment. By codifying this restriction in state law, the measure prevents these agencies from utilizing surplus military equipment intended for offensive purposes.

This bill authorizes the city of St. Cloud to impose a local sales and use tax of 0.25% to fund a specific project. The revenue generated must be used to cover the costs of collecting the tax and to finance up to $7 million for an outdoor water park next to the St. Cloud Aquatics Center. Before the tax can be implemented, city voters must approve it in an election, and the city may also issue bonds to help pay for the park without being subject to standard debt limits. The tax will automatically expire after three years or once the city council determines enough money has been collected to complete the project.

This bill directs $2 million annually from electronic pull-tab gambling revenue to support the Minnesota-bred Thoroughbred industry starting in fiscal year 2027. The funds will be given to the Minnesota Racing Commission to help pay race purses and provide financial assistance to breeders and owners. Additionally, the legislation maintains existing rules that allocate a portion of general gambling revenue to problem gambling treatment and awareness programs. The law requires the state to report these financial allocations to relevant legislative committees and the National Council on Problem Gambling.

This bill restricts public utilities in Minnesota from including specific expenses in the rates charged to customers. It prohibits utilities from recovering costs related to executive travel and entertainment, lobbying, political donations, and compensation exceeding $300,000 for the ten highest-paid officers. Additionally, the law bars the recovery of funds spent on advertising, charitable giving, and penalties, while requiring utilities to submit detailed annual reports on these prohibited expenditures. If a utility charges ratepayers for these restricted costs, the bill mandates refunds with interest and imposes a penalty equal to 200 percent of the improper amount.

This bill creates a new specific crime for stealing public money held by government entities or third parties administering public programs. It defines the offense as intentionally taking funds without consent, deceiving officials to obtain money, or swindling public resources through trickery. The law sets penalties based on the amount stolen, ranging from up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine for smaller amounts to up to 24 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for larger sums. Prosecutors will be allowed to combine thefts occurring within a six-month period to determine the total value for sentencing. The changes will take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

This bill modifies how the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency manages its Housing Development Fund by updating rules on how money enters the fund and how it can be moved between different programs. Specifically, it clarifies that state funds must be tracked in separate accounts and allows the agency to transfer unused balances between loan and grant programs, while also repealing older statutes that listed specific allowable uses for the fund. The legislation removes the ability of the agency to make certain capacity-building grants and spend money on rental housing and full-cycle home ownership services without specific appropriations. These changes directly affect the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and the specific housing programs it administers by tightening financial controls and limiting discretionary spending options.

This bill modifies existing state funding to support the City of Red Wing in completing a rail grade separation project at Sturgeon Lake Road. It allocates a total of $24.762 million for the project, which includes costs for acquiring land, environmental studies, engineering, removing existing structures, and building the separation. The legislation also allows any unused funds from these grants to be redirected toward capital improvements for Sturgeon Lake Road in the project area. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for using bond sale proceeds for this specific project to December 31, 2024.