Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4610: Gateway State Trail rehabilitation funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the issuance of up to $2.3 million in state bonds to fund rehabilitation and improvements to the Gateway State Trail. The money will be used to construct and equip trail enhancements in the cities of St. Paul, Maplewood, North St. Paul, and Oakdale. The commissioner of natural resources will manage the project, while the commissioner of management and budget is responsible for selling the bonds. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4539: Safe storage standards for firearms established, criminal penalties for failing to meet those standards established, and money appropriated.

This bill establishes new safe storage standards for firearms in Minnesota and creates criminal penalties for failing to meet those standards. It requires firearm owners to store guns either unloaded with a locking device or locked in a secure storage unit or locked gun room, except when the firearm is under direct physical control. The law defines specific terms like "firearm storage unit" and "gun room" and sets up escalating penalties ranging from petty misdemeanors to felonies depending on whether a child or prohibited person accesses the firearm. The bill includes several exceptions for situations like hunting, shooting sports, and law enforcement duties, and it will take effect on August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3909: Tax on gross revenues of private detention facilities imposed.

This bill introduces a new 50 percent tax on the gross revenues of private detention facilities operating in Minnesota that are contracted by government entities. The tax applies to all money received by these facilities for providing incarceration or detention services and begins taking effect after December 31, 2026. The legislation defines private detention facilities as for-profit entities that hold people awaiting trial or serving court-imposed sentences, while excluding residential facilities like halfway houses and work release centers. Facilities that have already paid similar taxes to other states can claim a credit for those payments to avoid double taxation. All tax revenues collected will be deposited into Minnesota's general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3863: Public library access by officials engaged in immigration enforcement limited.

This bill restricts access to Minnesota public libraries by federal, state, or local officials conducting immigration enforcement activities. It requires library staff to deny entry unless the official presents a valid judicial warrant, and mandates that staff request identification and limit access only to areas specified in the warrant. Additionally, the bill requires library employees to immediately notify their city mayor, county board representative, or regional system board when granting such entry, while allowing officials to enter for educational or library program administration. The law applies to all public libraries in the state and takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4448: 2027 International Ice Hockey Federation U18 Men's World Championship funding provided, and money appropriated.

This bill allocates $450,000 from Minnesota's general fund to support the 2027 International Ice Hockey Federation U18 Men's World Championship, which will be held in Duluth. The money is designated for the Explore Minnesota director to provide a grant to Minnesota Sports and Events for organizing costs associated with the event. This one-time appropriation is available for use until June 30, 2028, and is intended to cover expenses related to hosting the international youth hockey tournament.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3938: Owners of firearms required to have liability insurance, and homeowners' and tenants' policies required to include liability coverage for accidental discharge of firearms.

This bill requires Minnesota firearm owners to maintain liability insurance covering at least $100,000 for accidental or unintentional discharges, with insurers mandated to offer this coverage as part of homeowner's policies. The law applies to all firearm owners in the state starting October 1, 2026, and establishes penalties including fines for non-compliance, with options to suspend penalties if proof of insurance is provided within 30 days. Owners may request exemptions from a district court if they are denied coverage by multiple insurers or lack financial resources, provided they demonstrate safe firearm storage practices. The bill also defines "damage" to include injury, death, or property damage, and clarifies that firearm owners remain responsible for lost or stolen weapons until law enforcement is notified.

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4565: Stewardship program for batteries established, mercury in batteries prohibited, lead acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products provisions modified, rulemaking authorized, and money appropriated.

This bill establishes a new stewardship program for covered batteries in Minnesota and prohibits the use of mercury in batteries, affecting manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of battery products. It creates clear definitions for terms like "covered battery," "brand," and "distribute" to clarify which products and businesses fall under the program's requirements. The legislation authorizes the state to create rules for battery collection and recycling, while also modifying existing provisions related to lead acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to support the implementation of these environmental protections and sets specific effective dates for various provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4215: Federal funding protection trust fund established, conditional receipt and remittance of federal funds provided, and report required.

This bill creates a new state trust fund to temporarily hold federal money when the governor believes it has been unfairly suspended, delayed, or withheld. The fund is designed to protect state programs and local services from disruptions while ensuring the money remains dedicated to its original federal purpose. State officials can place funds in the trust and release them once the federal government confirms the money is available again or when holding it risks legal problems. The bill also requires regular reports to the legislature on how much money is held and why, while explicitly stating the state cannot collect federal taxes or take on federal legal liabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4362: Visitor carrying of firearms on campuses of public postsecondary institutions regulated.

This bill allows public colleges and universities in Minnesota to create policies restricting firearms carried by visitors on campus property. Under the new rules, institutions can require visitors to leave if they violate firearm policies, and those who refuse to comply face a petty misdemeanor charge with a fine of up to $25. The law also clarifies that firearms violating these campus policies will not be subject to forfeiture, and it maintains that employers and schools cannot ban firearms in parking facilities. This change directly affects public postsecondary institutions and their ability to manage visitor access to campus grounds.

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4005: Biometric data; consent for collection required, sale prohibited, deletion required, and civil penalties imposed.

This bill establishes new rules for collecting, storing, and using biometric data like fingerprints, facial images, and voiceprints in Minnesota. It requires individuals to give consent before their biometric data is collected, prohibits selling or sharing this data except in specific situations like completing a financial transaction or responding to a law enforcement warrant, and mandates that the data be deleted within one year after the original purpose for collecting it ends. The law also requires companies to protect biometric data with security measures at least as strong as those used for other confidential information and imposes civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation for non-compliance. Financial institutions are exempt from the voiceprint data retention requirements under this bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3871: Venue in child sexual abuse material law provided; on-scene preview of digital evidence in child sexual abuse material investigations provided; possession, sale, creation, dissemination, and purchase of child-like sex dolls prohibited; and defense of duress modified to include victims of trafficking.

This bill makes several changes to Minnesota's laws regarding child sexual abuse material and trafficking. It expands where prosecutors can file cases involving child sexual abuse material to include the county where the accused or victim lives, as well as locations where the material was found or stored. The bill also allows law enforcement to quickly examine digital devices at the scene of an investigation to identify child sexual abuse material without needing a separate warrant, provided the original warrant covers this type of evidence. Additionally, it prohibits the possession, sale, creation, or purchase of child-like sex dolls and updates the legal defense of duress to include victims of trafficking. These measures aim to improve investigation efficiency and expand protections for victims while maintaining constitutional safeguards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4065: Criminal penalty provisions for assaulting transit workers clarified.

This bill clarifies criminal penalties for assaulting transit workers in Minnesota by updating state law to explicitly include all employees, contractors, and volunteers working in public transportation, light rail, special transportation, and commuter rail services. The law specifies that assaulting a transit worker or intentionally throwing bodily fluids onto them while the worker is performing their duties can result in a gross misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, or both. The changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026, and the bill is currently in committee review as part of the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Bill results