Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 27, 2026

HF 5089: Chokio; bridge replacement funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $290,000 in bonds to fund the replacement of the Chokio Bridge in Stevens County. The appropriated funds will be given to the commissioner of transportation to design, build, and equip the new bridge on State-Aid Highway 13. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SF 5229: St. Paul local sales tax use modification

This bill modifies how the City of St. Paul can spend money collected from its local sales tax. It directs that tax revenues be used to pay for street and bridge improvements totaling $738 million, as well as capital upgrades to parks and recreation facilities worth $246 million. To proceed with the park and recreation funding, the city must pass a specific resolution and submit it to the state auditor by August 31 of the election year; if this step is missed, that portion of the funding cannot be used. The changes apply retroactively to May 24, 2023, allowing the city to use the funds for these projects without needing new voter approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 27, 2026

HF 4939: Belle Plaine; public safety facility improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the state to issue up to $3.5 million in bonds to fund improvements for the public safety facility in Belle Plaine. The funds will be used for site preparation and to renovate, expand, furnish, and equip the existing building to address safety, security, and operational needs. The state commissioner of management and budget is responsible for selling the bonds and distributing the money to the city through a grant. The legislation becomes effective the day after it is fully enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 27, 2026

HF 4812: St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association provisions modified, Independent School District No. 625 pension adjustment revenue increased, and money appropriated.

This bill modifies the rules for the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association and adjusts pension funding for Independent School District No. 625. It increases the pension adjustment rate for ISD 625 to 5.95% for fiscal year 2027 and later, while setting a lower rate of 1.25% for other districts starting in 2025. Additionally, the legislation raises employee contribution rates for the basic program to 11.25% in 2026 and 11.5% thereafter, and adjusts employer contribution rates for coordinated members. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, with specific provisions for pension revenue calculations beginning in fiscal year 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 27, 2026

HF 5079: Interstate licensure compact established for athletic trainers.

This bill establishes an interstate licensure compact for athletic trainers in Minnesota, allowing licensed professionals to practice in other member states without obtaining a separate license for each location. The legislation creates a shared data system to track licenses and disciplinary actions, ensuring that information about a trainer's qualifications and any adverse actions taken against them is accessible across all participating states. To qualify for this cross-state practice privilege, athletic trainers must hold a current, unrestricted license in their home state and meet specific requirements regarding criminal background checks and continuing education. The bill also defines key terms such as "compact privilege" and "adverse action" to standardize how licensing authorities handle issues like suspensions or monitoring programs when a trainer moves between states.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SF 5216: Chokio bridge replacement bond issue and appropriation

This bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $290,000 in bonds to fund the design, construction, and equipment of a replacement for the Chokio Bridge in Stevens County. The appropriated funds will be granted to the county to address infrastructure needs on State-Aid Highway 13 within the city of Chokio. The legislation directs the commissioner of management and budget to handle the bond sale according to existing state laws and constitutional requirements. It becomes effective immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SF 5032: Tax establishment on certain individuals and organizations convicted of and benefiting from fraud and certain data sharing and disclosure provisions

This bill creates a new tax on individuals and organizations convicted of fraud who continue to benefit from those illegal gains. It establishes a penalty of up to 100% of the fraudulent amounts received if no criminal conviction has occurred yet, while also increasing existing penalties for false returns to 50% of the tax involved. To support enforcement, the legislation allows the Department of Revenue to share confidential tax data with the Financial Crimes and Fraud Section to investigate these cases. Additionally, the bill mandates that tax return information be shared with state auditors and the inspector general to facilitate oversight of public funds. These measures are set to take effect for fraud convictions occurring after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SF 5224: Disorderly house crime expansion provision

This bill expands the legal definition of a "disorderly house" in Minnesota to include locations where high-risk sexual activities regularly occur with the owner's or manager's knowledge. It specifically defines high-risk sexual conduct as activities likely to spread diseases through bodily fluid exchange, such as anonymous sex or sex with multiple partners. The changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026, and do not alter the existing definitions for disorderly houses involving alcohol, gambling, prostitution, or drug sales.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SF 4263: Biofuel sales volume incentive program establishment

This bill creates a financial incentive program for Minnesota retail gasoline stations that sell specific biofuel blends containing 11 to 15 percent ethanol. Starting in 2028, eligible stations that have not previously sold these blends can receive up to five cents per gallon in payments, with a total annual cap of $50,000 per station. The program requires stations to submit monthly sales reports and verify their volumes against existing fuel sales records, with funding of $5 million appropriated from the general fund. Only stations operating in Minnesota that are not fleet operators and have not received money from the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program qualify for these payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 27, 2026

HF 3898: Pesticide provisions modified to protect wild-rice water.

This bill modifies Minnesota pesticide regulations to specifically protect wild-rice waters from harmful pesticide impacts. It directly affects agricultural operations, state agencies, and communities near designated wild-rice habitats by requiring the Department of Agriculture to include wild-rice waters in environmental impact assessments and pesticide management plans. Key provisions define wild-rice water as any body of water supporting wild rice, mandate that pesticide violations harming these waters be treated as serious rather than minor offenses, and require the state to use integrated pest management techniques on public lands to prevent pesticide runoff into wild-rice waters. The bill also expands pesticide education requirements to include training on wild-rice water protection and establishes a $100,000 annual funding limit for expert consultation on pesticide-related issues affecting these waters.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 27, 2026

HF 3906: School districts that provide digital instruction allowed to administer state assessments remotely.

This bill allows Minnesota school districts that offer full-time digital instruction to administer state assessments remotely to their enrolled students. The key provisions require students to take tests during scheduled windows, attend live sessions managed by district staff, use video monitoring by proctors, and follow specific device and supervision rules to ensure test integrity. The law applies to regular state assessments but excludes college and workforce readiness tests provided by national organizations. Funding of $200,000 is allocated in fiscal year 2027 to support the implementation of remote assessment systems. The changes take effect starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 27, 2026

HF 3897: Wild rice protected by requiring a wild rice risk justification before authorizing certain activities.

This bill requires state and local agencies to prepare a detailed risk assessment before approving any projects in Minnesota waters that support wild rice. The assessment must identify potential threats to wild rice, evaluate the likelihood and scale of damage, and explain why the public need for a project justifies the risk. Agencies must also allow at least 30 days for public comment, respond to substantive feedback, and consult with Tribal governments when requested. If 100 or more residents request a hearing, the agency must hold one near the affected water. The final risk justification must be published online and in the State Register before permits are issued.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results