Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5260: Polling place designations requirements establishment for school district special elections in districts with boundaries that include more than one county

This bill requires school districts in Minnesota that span multiple counties to designate at least one polling place within each county where more than 5,000 registered voters live. It also mandates that voters receive a mailed notice about special elections, which must include the election date, hours, polling location, the cost of holding the election, and the amount saved by using combined polling places. The notice must be sent at least 14 days before the election and posted on the school district's website, with specific exceptions for certain election dates and mail-in only elections. These changes directly affect school districts conducting special elections across county lines and the voters participating in those elections.

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5112: Partnerships for dental services provided in correctional facilities authorized, commissioner of corrections required to improve correctional facilities' dental services, report required, and money appropriated.

This bill directs the Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections to explore partnerships with external groups, such as dental schools and mobile clinics, to enhance dental care in state prisons. The commissioner must evaluate these options and submit a report by January 15, 2027, outlining potential partnerships, funding strategies, and any necessary legislative changes. Additionally, the law requires the commissioner to improve inmate access to preventive, restorative, and emergency dental treatments. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates unspecified funds from the state's general budget for the fiscal year 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5115: Marked U.S. Highway 8 reconstruction funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the reconstruction of Marked U.S. Highway 8 in Minnesota, directing funds to the state Department of Transportation and Chisago County for engineering, design, and construction work. The legislation allocates $24 million from trunk highway bonds and $15 million from general obligation bonds to expand the road to four lanes, build frontage roads, and improve pedestrian and bike trails. Money from these bond sales will be used only after non-state funding sources are confirmed, and any previously planned resurfacing funds for this highway will be redirected to support the reconstruction project.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5262: City of Hutchinson Camp Craig Training Facility prior appropriation modifications

This bill modifies a prior appropriation to provide $3.7 million in state funding to the city of Hutchinson. The money is designated for the Camp Craig Training Facility to support the Civil Air Patrol in building and equipping a hangar and statewide training center. By updating the legal text, the legislation ensures these funds can be used for the project's design, construction, and equipment needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SF 5257: Parent's Bill of Rights

SF 5257, titled the Parent's Bill of Rights, establishes a legal framework in Minnesota to protect parental authority over the upbringing, education, and health care of their minor children. The bill explicitly reserves these rights to parents and prohibits government entities from obstructing them, requiring written consent for medical procedures, biometric scans, and the storage of biological samples unless a medical emergency exists. It also mandates that parents be notified if a crime is suspected against their child and prohibits employees from coercing children to withhold information from parents. While the act affirms these protections, it clarifies that it does not authorize child abuse, neglect, or actions that would end a child's life, nor does it restrict the legal authority of courts and law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5117: Parent's bill of rights created.

This bill establishes a "Parent's Bill of Rights" in Minnesota to protect the authority of parents over their minor children's upbringing, education, and healthcare. It mandates that government entities and schools cannot interfere with parental decisions regarding education methods, moral training, medical consent, and the privacy of school and medical records. The law also requires written parental consent before biometric scans, DNA collection, or recording a child, with specific exceptions for emergencies or legitimate security needs. Additionally, it prohibits employees from pressuring children to hide information from parents or from discriminating against parents who exercise these rights.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✗ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 5, 2026

SR 84: A Senate resolution congratulating Liam Arroyo of Rochester, Minnesota, for earning the rank of Eagle Scout

This Senate resolution formally congratulates Liam Arroyo of Rochester, Minnesota, for achieving the highest rank in Scouting America, known as Eagle Scout. The bill recognizes his completion of all required skills and a specific community service project supporting Family Promise to help prevent family homelessness. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send an official copy of the resolution to Arroyo as a gesture of appreciation for his accomplishment.

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 5114: Action of nudifying an image of another person made a crime, and criminal penalties provided.

This bill makes it a crime to digitally alter or generate images of identifiable people to show intimate parts they did not originally have, provided the result looks realistic enough that a reasonable person would believe it is real. It directly affects anyone who intentionally creates such non-consensual "nudified" photos or videos, classifying the act as a felony punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of $4,000, or both. The law defines "nudify" specifically as changing an image to depict an intimate area not present in the original while maintaining a realistic appearance that deceives viewers. This provision will only take effect on August 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 4804: Timber permit extensions required.

This bill requires the state to grant a one-year extension without penalty to timber permit holders who request it before their current permit expires, provided they are not delinquent on payments or have active trespass violations. The law also mandates that permits for timber requiring frozen ground access must have a minimum term of four years, ending on May 31 of the fifth year, to ensure safe working conditions during winter. Additionally, the bill updates requirements for sale lists to include specific assessments on whether frozen ground access is needed for certain tracts of land. These changes directly affect current and future timber operators in Minnesota by altering how long they can legally harvest state timber and how sale information is presented.

in committee · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 4888: New data center moratorium established, and Public Utility Commission required to submit a report.

This bill establishes a one-year moratorium on issuing permits for new data centers in Minnesota, preventing their construction until a comprehensive report is completed. The Public Utility Commission is required to submit this report by July 1, 2027, or January 1, 2028, if an extension is granted, to state legislative committees. The report must analyze energy, water, and materials usage; environmental and cultural impacts on Tribal Nations; local and state economic effects; and suitable locations that minimize disruption to communities and infrastructure. Additionally, the commission must consult with Tribal governments and hire a third-party contractor who has no financial ties to data center developers to ensure the report's objectivity.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment ✗ Technology

signed · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 4133: Homeowner's insurance policies specified exclusions prohibited when damage is done by a peace officer.

This bill requires homeowner's insurance policies in Minnesota to cover damage caused by peace officers using chemical irritants, smoke screens, or diversionary devices when the homeowner is entitled to compensation from the government. Effective January 1, 2027, insurers cannot exclude coverage for this specific type of damage and must allow homeowners to select their own mitigation contractors and industrial hygienists to address the harm. The law also permits insurers to require homeowners to transfer their right to claim compensation to the insurance company, while maintaining the government's obligation to pay just compensation for such incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 3844: Optometrist clarified to be able to prescribe certain window glazing materials for motor vehicles.

This bill clarifies that optometrists, in addition to physicians, can issue prescriptions for tinted vehicle windows when medically necessary. It directly affects drivers and passengers who need specific window glazing materials to address vision-related medical conditions. The key provision allows optometrists to specify the minimum light transmittance percentage and expiration dates for such prescriptions, with provisions for relying on prescriptions issued to family members or dependents. The changes apply retroactively to July 1, 2025, and update Minnesota's vehicle safety statutes regarding tinted windows.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results