SF 5052 is a comprehensive tax bill that modifies Minnesota's individual, corporate, and property tax systems while introducing new levies such as a social media tax and a Hennepin County health care tax. The legislation primarily affects taxpayers, businesses, and local governments by updating state tax laws to align with recent federal changes and establishing new revenue sources. Key provisions include creating a tax on amounts acquired through fraud, adjusting various tax exemptions, and setting up seasonal tax base replacement aid for local areas. The bill also authorizes local sales taxes, modifies existing tax credits and definitions, and includes technical corrections to current statutes.
HF 4949 establishes a new state program to provide financial reimbursement for hosting major sports and events in Minnesota. The bill defines eligible events to include high-profile competitions such as the Super Bowl, NCAA championships, World Cup matches, and various All-Star games. Funding is intended for local organizing committees that successfully attract these events to the state, with money drawn from a newly created account in the state treasury. The legislation also requires the commissioner of revenue to submit reports regarding the program's operations.
This bill requires a ten percent reduction in state aid to any Minnesota county or city that displays a state flag different from the design certified by the State Emblems Redesign Commission. To enforce this penalty, local governments must notify the commissioner of revenue by December 31 each year if they have used the incorrect flag, and the aid reduction applies to payments made in the following year. The law takes effect for aid distributed in 2027, directly impacting local municipalities that choose to fly a flag other than the officially certified version.
This bill modifies how the state of Minnesota calculates registration taxes for passenger automobiles and hearses, directly affecting vehicle owners and dealers. It lowers the tax rate from 1.54% to 1.25% for cars registered before November 16, 2020, and from 1.575% to 1.285% for newer vehicles, while also reducing the percentage of the vehicle's price charged in subsequent years of ownership. The changes take effect for registration periods starting on or after January 1, 2027, and include rules that prevent the total tax paid on a vehicle from exceeding the amount originally due.
This bill allows housing and redevelopment agencies in Minnesota to invest their funds in specific types of long-term equity investments, including index mutual funds and shares of companies focused on local multifamily housing development. The legislation modifies existing state investment rules to expand the range of approved investment options while requiring agencies to adopt formal resolutions acknowledging the risks involved before making any investments. Local government bodies must also certify that funds designated for investment meet all state requirements and established policies. The changes take effect immediately upon final enactment of the bill.
This bill directs approximately $189 million from Minnesota's outdoor heritage fund to support conservation projects for prairies and wildlife habitats over the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. The funding is allocated to specific initiatives including the RIM Grasslands Reserve, wildlife management area acquisitions, and land purchases for the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Money will be distributed to state agencies and partner organizations like Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and The Nature Conservancy to acquire land, establish conservation easements, and restore native habitats. The bill prioritizes acquiring lands eligible for the native prairie bank or those adjacent to protected prairie areas, with some funds designated for monitoring and enforcement.
This bill modifies how disability benefits are reduced for Minnesota police, firefighter, and paramedic members who started receiving disability payments before July 1, 2023, when they return to work. It changes the calculation method for reducing disability benefits when these members earn income from other employment, ensuring the reduction applies consistently to those who began disability before the specified date. The legislation updates existing rules to clarify how much disability benefits decrease based on reemployment earnings, using a dollar-for-dollar reduction ratio for certain service levels and a tiered approach for others. This change affects only current disability recipients who started their benefits prior to the July 1, 2023 cutoff, while members who began receiving benefits on or after that date remain subject to previously established reduction rules.
This bill prohibits businesses and individuals from operating prediction markets in Minnesota that allow wagers on outcomes related to sports, politics, people, catastrophes, or death. It makes it a felony to run platforms where participants place bets on these specific future events, with exceptions for private social bets and licensed horse racing. The law also criminalizes advertising these prohibited products during certain times, in media likely to reach minors, near schools, or on public property. Financial institutions and payment processors that continue to process payments for these activities after receiving a cease and desist order from the attorney general would also face felony charges.
This bill authorizes the state to issue up to $2 million in bonds to fund infrastructure improvements for the city of Tamarack. The funds will be used to design, build, and replace aging wastewater treatment and collection systems, as well as reconstruct streets. The money comes from the bond proceeds fund and is administered through the Public Facilities Authority. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.
This bill allocates $350,000 from the state's general fund to provide a one-time grant for a pilot program supporting families affected by substance use disorder. The funding will enable Thrive Family Recovery Resources to offer peer services, education, resource navigation, and general support to these families. By January 20, 2027, the commissioner of human services must submit a report evaluating the pilot program's results and recommending whether to continue funding through an ongoing grant. The legislation is a one-time appropriation that does not establish permanent funding for the program.
This bill adjusts the forecasted budget for Minnesota's Department of Human Services and Department of Children, Youth, and Families for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It modifies existing appropriations by adding or subtracting specific amounts from various funds, including the General Fund and Health Care Access Fund, to reflect updated financial projections. The changes primarily affect programs such as General Assistance, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, Housing Support, MinnesotaCare, and Medical Assistance, with significant increases planned for several of these services. The bill provides updated funding figures that state agencies will use to plan and administer human services programs over the next two fiscal years.
This bill prohibits the operation of online sweepstakes games in Minnesota, which are defined as internet-based games that use a dual-currency system allowing players to exchange virtual currency for prizes or cash equivalents while simulating gambling. The law directly affects game operators, payment processors, financial institutions, and other entities that support these games by banning them from conducting or promoting such activities within the state. Key provisions require the commissioner of public safety and attorney general to deny licenses to anyone knowingly accepting revenue from these prohibited games and to enforce penalties for violations. The bill also establishes clear definitions for terms like "dual-currency" and "online sweepstakes game" to ensure consistent enforcement.
