Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4942: Certain municipal electric utilities exemption from the life-cycle analysis requirement

This bill exempts a specific municipal electric utility in Hibbing from three reporting requirements related to waste-derived fuel. The exemption applies only to facilities that were operating before a specific regulatory decision and removes the need to submit life-cycle analyses, fuel mix reports, or reevaluation documents. Despite these exemptions, the electricity generated from waste-derived fuel at this utility must still be counted toward meeting state energy technology standards. The legislation directly affects the Hibbing municipal electric utility and modifies the state's energy reporting rules for this particular entity.

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4848: Public nuisance cause of action for certain conduct related to the sale, marketing, importing, distribution, and manufacturing of firearms created.

This bill creates a new legal tool in Minnesota that allows the state Attorney General to sue firearm industry members for public nuisance if their conduct harms public safety. It directly affects companies involved in selling, manufacturing, distributing, or marketing firearms and related products like ammunition. To comply, these businesses must implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop thefts, and ensure adherence to existing laws. If a company violates these rules, the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop the behavior, force cleanup costs, demand financial restitution, and collect damages.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Dave Pinto (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4866: Saint Paul Regional Water Services funding provided for improvements to the Fridley pump station and to replace lead drinking water service lines, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the state to issue up to $3.5 million in bonds to fund repairs and upgrades for the Fridley pump station operated by Saint Paul Regional Water Services. The funds will specifically cover the replacement of aging electrical, mechanical, and piping systems, as well as improvements to water pumps and motors. Additionally, the legislation sets aside money for a separate appropriation to replace lead drinking water service lines, though the specific dollar amount for this second project is currently listed as blank in the text. Both funding sources are drawn from the state's bond proceeds fund and are intended to help the water utility maintain its infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4860: Operation of remote pickup sites from which patients may obtain drugs and devices dispensed by a managing pharmacy authorized, and rulemaking authorized.

This bill allows licensed pharmacies in Minnesota to operate remote pickup sites where patients can collect their prescribed medications and medical devices. Under this new rule, these pickup locations do not need their own separate pharmacy license because they function under the authority of the managing pharmacy that controls them. The legislation authorizes the state Board of Pharmacy to create specific regulations governing how these sites operate and ensures that patients can still access necessary pharmacist support through the managing pharmacy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4850: Dakota County grant funding provided to study lead exposure, and money appropriated.

This bill allocates funding from the state's general fund to support a study on lead exposure in Dakota County. The money will be given to Dakota County Public Health to investigate sources of lead emissions and their impact on residents, with a specific focus on children under six, pregnant women, and those living near high-emission areas. The study is authorized to examine whether current air and water quality standards have been exceeded and to recommend steps for protecting the community from lead risks. Additionally, the state health commissioner may offer technical assistance and provide access to de-identified blood lead data to aid the research.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4985: Students Together Respecting the Importance and Purpose of Education in Schools ISTRIPES) program student mentoring program establishment and appropriation

This bill establishes a $1.2 million grant for the STRIPES program to fund a student mentoring initiative in Minnesota schools. The funds are designated for five specific purposes: organizing weekly mentoring meetings, supporting operations in five existing schools, expanding the program to new schools, creating a university partnership to train future teachers from diverse backgrounds, and helping teachers build culturally responsive classrooms. Grant recipients must submit a detailed report by January 15, 2028, to the Department of Education and legislative committees, outlining how the money was used, the number of students and mentors involved, and the results of the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4980: Certain uses of public land by homeless individuals penalties prohibition provision, criminal proceedings affirmative defense provision, and civil remedies provision

This bill prohibits Minnesota cities, counties, and towns from penalizing homeless individuals for specific activities on public land, such as sleeping, eating, storing belongings, or occupying parked vehicles. It establishes a legal defense for homeless people charged with these actions if they do not have access to an adequate alternative indoor space, which is defined as a free, accessible, and indefinite housing option that allows for family and pets. The legislation also grants the state attorney general the power to enforce these rules and allows individuals to sue for damages or court orders if their rights are violated. Finally, the bill overrides any local laws that conflict with these protections, ensuring a consistent statewide standard for how public spaces are used by homeless residents.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4984: Mindful Foundations pilot program for students in prekindergarten through grade 1 establishment and appropriation

This bill creates a pilot program to test a trauma-informed approach for managing behavior and guiding students in prekindergarten through first grade. It allocates $1.2 million to fund the Mindful Foundations curriculum, which uses a specific five-step method to help educators support young children. Selected school districts will receive money to hire specialists, train staff and families, and evaluate how the program affects student outcomes and teacher retention. By the end of the pilot year, the program must submit a detailed report to lawmakers to determine if the approach should be expanded statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4807: Scope of vehicles requiring an overweight vehicle special permit expanded, local ordinances affecting aggregate mining or production facilities restricted, legislative audit of aggregate production tax required, aggregate resource inventory funding provided, and money appropriated.

This bill expands the rules for heavy trucks in Minnesota by allowing six-axle and seven-axle vehicles to carry more weight when transporting construction materials like asphalt and concrete, provided they have a special permit. It also limits the ability of local governments to pass new rules that restrict aggregate mining or production facilities while permits are pending or environmental reviews are underway. Additionally, the bill requires an audit of how counties collect and spend their aggregate production tax and provides funding to update a regional inventory of aggregate resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4289: Arbitration agreements to be made after a consumer transaction requirement

This bill requires businesses in Minnesota to offer arbitration agreements to consumers only after a purchase or lease is completed, rather than before or during the transaction. It mandates that any such arbitration agreements be written in clear, conspicuous language and kept separate from other general terms of the sale. The law declares any pre-transaction arbitration clauses void and unenforceable, while allowing businesses to negotiate arbitration terms separately after the consumer transaction is finalized. These provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to agreements made on or after that date.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4366: Unclaimed virtual currency funds and funds held for prepayment of funeral-related expenses regulation

This bill establishes the Revised Minnesota Unclaimed Property Act to update and streamline how businesses and financial institutions report and turn over unclaimed property to the state. It directly affects merchants, banks, corporations, and other business entities that hold money or assets belonging to people who cannot be located. The bill creates clear definitions for terms like "apparent owner" and "business association," authorizes the commissioner of commerce to create administrative rules, and allocates funding for implementation. It also repeals existing unclaimed property laws to replace them with this new framework, aiming to improve clarity and consistency in how unclaimed property is handled across Minnesota.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4537: Expedited eviction process requirements modifications

This bill modifies Minnesota's expedited eviction process to apply only to specific situations involving safety threats or property damage. It requires landlords to submit detailed affidavits proving their case before a judge can schedule a fast-track hearing. The law sets strict timelines, requiring tenant summons within 24 hours and hearings within five to seven days, while prohibiting courts from combining these cases with other claims like unpaid rent. Additionally, the bill authorizes courts to impose fines up to $500 on landlords who improperly seek expedited hearings without sufficient evidence. These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and courts handling eviction cases in Minnesota.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results