This bill requires companies seeking approval to build petroleum pipelines in Minnesota to submit more detailed demand forecasts when applying for a certificate of need from the Public Utilities Commission. The legislation specifically mandates that applicants provide separate annual forecasts for motor fuel and other refined petroleum products covering a 15-year period for both Minnesota and neighboring states. These forecasts must account for multiple factors including population growth, vehicle efficiency, electric vehicle adoption rates, and changes in crude oil prices and transportation infrastructure. Companies must also explain their underlying assumptions and how potential changes in those assumptions could affect their projected demand.
HF 3379 repeals provisions related to "housing stabilization services" in Minnesota law. The bill removes references to these services from multiple statutes governing provider enrollment, background checks, and fee structures for home and community-based waiver programs. This change directly affects providers who previously offered housing stabilization services and their clients, as it eliminates the program's legal framework. The repeal applies to sections of Minnesota Statutes covering background studies, cost recovery fees, and provider requirements. The bill does not create new requirements but formally ends the existing housing stabilization services program.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Minnesota to issue bonds and incur public debt specifically for public information technology systems, licenses, and infrastructure. It would add a new provision (section j) to the state constitution, permitting the state and political subdivisions (like counties or cities) to finance capital costs - including design, acquisition, installation, construction, equipping, and servicing - of these IT systems through bonds. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with a specific yes/no question on the ballot. If passed, it would expand existing constitutional authority for public debt to cover modern IT infrastructure needs.
HF 3682 requires Minnesota's commissioner of management and budget to establish a grantee fraud risk rating system for state agencies administering grants, based on vendor risk management principles. This system will set specific grants management requirements for agencies, directly affecting all state executive agencies that distribute or manage grant funds. The bill mandates the commissioner to create centralized policies, serve as a point of contact for grants management, oversee technology systems, and provide a single public listing of grant opportunities and recipients. It also authorizes the commissioner to approve exceptions to these policies for specific programs, with exceptions expiring after five years. The law aims to standardize fraud prevention and improve oversight across all state grant programs.
This bill establishes new licensing and registration requirements for entities selling travel insurance in Minnesota. It requires "limited lines travel insurance producers" (such as managing general agents and travel administrators) and "travel retailers" (businesses that arrange travel and offer insurance) to be licensed, with producers maintaining a registry of authorized retailers. The bill mandates clear disclosure to customers about policy terms, claims processes, and the identities of insurers and producers. It defines travel insurance to cover trip interruption, baggage loss, medical emergencies during travel, and related services, while excluding long-term medical plans. The bill is currently pending in the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee after introduction on February 23, 2026.
SF 3699 bans civil arrests for people attending court as parties, witnesses, or court companions (such as family members, advocates, or interpreters). It protects individuals while traveling to, at, and returning from court, covering courthouse buildings, surrounding streets within 1,000 feet, and parking areas. The law does not apply to arrests for criminal violations or those supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects people accessing courts for civil, criminal, or administrative cases, ensuring they cannot be detained for civil immigration matters or similar issues while participating in court proceedings.
This bill (SF 4006) modifies Minnesota's election administration rules, primarily affecting county auditors, municipal clerks, and voters. Key changes include requiring clerks to have technical capacity and training to access the statewide voter registration system, extending absentee ballot delivery timelines to 46 days before most elections, and adding procedures to prevent absentee ballots from being mailed to incarcerated voters. It also updates how voter information is recorded in the state system when absentee ballots are processed. These changes aim to standardize election operations while clarifying responsibilities for local election officials.
This bill authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $400 million in housing infrastructure bonds to fund housing projects. It establishes annual funding transfers from the state general fund to a housing bond account, with specific annual limits: $6.4 million (2015-2037), $800,000 (2017-2038), and $2.8 million (2019-2040) for different bond series. These funds will support housing infrastructure development across the state. The bill directly affects state housing programs and the state budget through these mandated annual appropriations.
This bill (SF 1122) increases annual cost-of-living adjustments for retired public employees in Minnesota. It modifies the Public Employees Police and Fire Retirement Plan and State Patrol Retirement Plan to provide higher postretirement adjustments: for the police/fire plan, adjustments will now be 50% of the federal Social Security COLA (capped at 1.5%) instead of a flat 1%, and for the State Patrol plan, the base adjustment rises from 1% to 1.5% annually. The bill also shortens the waiting period before full adjustments apply - from 36 months to 12 months for most retirees. These changes affect retired police officers, firefighters, and State Patrol members receiving benefits under these specific plans, effective January 1, 2026.
HF 2441 establishes a biennial budget for Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry, Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals, and Bureau of Mediation Services, appropriating $54.6 million for fiscal year 2026 and $51.3 million for 2027. Key provisions include $2.05 million annually for wage theft prevention, $1.70 million for prevailing wage enforcement, $1.90 million for earned sick leave enforcement, and $351,000 for addressing employee misclassification. The bill directly affects workers through enhanced enforcement of labor rights and employers through compliance requirements, while funding state agencies to administer these programs. It focuses on concrete budget allocations rather than new policy creation, amending existing statutes to align with these funding priorities.
HF 3295 amends Minnesota's Open Meeting Law (Minnesota Statutes 13D.065) to allow public bodies like city councils and school boards to broadcast meetings via social media. It requires advance notice of the broadcast and how to access it, and clarifies that social media comments during broadcasts are not government records unless the notice specifies otherwise. Public bodies that accept online comments as testimony must establish their own rules for handling them. This directly affects local government bodies holding public meetings in Minnesota.
HF 1338 creates an independent Office of the Inspector General in Minnesota to oversee state agencies and programs. The office will conduct audits and investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds, report findings publicly, and recommend improvements. It directly affects all state executive branch agencies and programs receiving taxpayer funding, requiring them to comply with oversight. Key provisions include establishing strict qualifications for the Inspector General, granting subpoena power, and mandating annual public reports. The bill also appropriates funding for the office's operations and staff.
