SF 1251 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

1st Engrossment 2nd Engrossment · 2 edits · Apr 9, 2026
MINOR
The bill was updated from the 1st to the 2nd engrossment, changing the official title and posting date. A new provision was added to establish that the section becomes effective the day following final enactment, ensuring the law takes effect immediately upon passage.
TIMELINE

The bill's version number was updated from '1st Engrossment' to '2nd Engrossment', and the posting date was changed from April 9, 2026, to May 12, 2026.

A new effective date clause was inserted, stating the section becomes effective the day following final enactment.

Floor votes · House Apr 27, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
5
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 5, 2026
Signed into law
Governor's action Approval 05/05/26
executive
May 5, 2026
Introduced
Secretary of State, Filed 05/05/2026
lower
May 5, 2026
Signed into law
Governor approval 05/05/2026
executive
Apr 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill was passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading Passed as amended
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Special Order: Amended
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
Senate file first reading, referred for comparison HF1531
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Received from Senate
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass as amended
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading
upper
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors

Sponsors