Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4990: Criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers modified, data centers' electricity sales exempted in calculating a utility's solar energy standard, other data center exemptions provided, and data center energy generation redundancy provided.

This bill modifies how Minnesota evaluates water usage for large data centers and provides specific financial and operational exemptions for them. It requires facilities that consume over 100 million gallons of water annually to submit detailed preapplication information to help state agencies assess local water availability, while exempting "qualified large-scale data centers" from these requirements if they meet certain filing deadlines or location criteria. Additionally, the legislation exempts electricity sales from these data centers when calculating utility solar energy standards and removes sales tax on their electricity purchases. The bill also defines requirements for emergency backup generators and establishes a new clean energy tariff option for public utilities.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 5007: St. Paul; prior appropriation for Neighborhood House capital improvements modified.

This bill modifies a previous appropriation to provide a $2.15 million grant to the city of St. Paul for renovating The Wellstone Center at Neighborhood House. The funds are intended to reimburse the city for costs incurred between June 2, 2023, and the date a formal grant agreement is signed. The legislation amends existing state law to update the project name and clarify the timeline for using the money.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4983: Limitation on number of electronic pull-tab and electronic bingo devices increased, electronic pull-tab games and electronic bingo games allowed to be played simultaneously, and maximum bet and prize award for electronic pull-tab games increased.

This bill allows Minnesota licensed organizations to increase the number of electronic gambling machines and permits players to use both electronic bingo and pull-tab games on the same device. It raises the maximum limit for these devices to 50 at bingo halls and 12 at bars or smaller venues, while also increasing the maximum amount a player can bet and win on electronic pull-tab games. The legislation maintains existing rules requiring players to show ID for large payouts and restricts game hours, ensuring that these changes apply only to specific licensed premises.

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4970: Transparency regarding immigrant detention flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport required, and reports required.

This bill requires the Metropolitan Airports Commission to increase transparency regarding flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that transport detained immigrants. Specifically, it mandates that the airport operator notify the commission whenever U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrives or departs with passengers being held in restraints. The legislation also requires the commission to install a live-streaming camera to record these flights and to submit monthly reports detailing the number of detained individuals, including minors, on each trip. These measures are designed to provide the public and state officials with real-time data and regular updates on immigration-related air traffic at the airport.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Kaela Berg (D) · 33 co-sponsors

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4956: Interchange fees on state and local taxes prohibited.

This bill prohibits banks and payment networks from charging interchange fees on state and local sales taxes or gratuities added to credit and debit card transactions. To qualify for this protection, merchants must clearly separate tax and tip amounts from the purchase price when processing payments or provide proof of these amounts within 180 days if they were initially included in the total. If a merchant submits the required documentation after the fact, the law mandates that any interchange fees wrongly charged on the tax or tip portion be refunded within 30 days. The legislation also prevents payment processors from manipulating fee calculations to increase charges on these specific transaction components.

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4971: Individual income and gross receipts tax; tax return checkoff provided, lodging and pay television services tax imposed, and conforming changes made.

This bill introduces new gross receipts taxes in Minnesota on lodging services and pay television services sold by facilities within the state. Hotels, motels, and other lodging operators will be required to report and pay these taxes based on the total sales price of their services, with provisions for collecting the tax separately from customers if they choose to do so. The legislation also establishes a credit system to prevent double taxation for businesses that have already paid similar gross receipts taxes to other states. Additionally, the bill includes a tax return checkoff option and makes various administrative adjustments to align the new taxes with existing state tax collection procedures.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4938: Employers prohibited from requiring implantation of a microchip.

This Minnesota bill prohibits employers from asking, requiring, or forcing employees to have a microchip implanted under their skin. The law defines a microchip as a device containing personal information that can be read by an external scanner, while explicitly excluding medical implants used for health diagnosis or treatment. Employees who feel they were coerced into such implantation can file a lawsuit to seek damages, court orders, and legal fees. The rules apply to all types of employers in the state, including government agencies and municipalities, as well as job applicants.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 5001: Restrictions on use of Minnesota investment fund local government loan repayment funds temporarily modified, and report required.

This bill allows Minnesota cities, counties, and towns to temporarily relax rules on how they must use money from local government loan repayments. Under the new provision, eligible local governments can transfer up to 20 percent of these funds to the state's general treasury by June 30, 2027, while keeping the remaining 80 percent for any legal local spending. In exchange for this flexibility, any jurisdiction that chooses to move funds must submit a detailed report explaining how the money was used by February 15, 2028. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and are intended to provide a one-time opportunity for local entities to redirect uncommitted repayment funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4977: Oakdale provided refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials for government facilities.

This bill grants the City of Oakdale a refundable sales tax exemption for materials and equipment used in its Police Expansion and City Hall Remodel Project. Under the legislation, the city would initially pay the standard sales tax on purchases made between April 30, 2026, and January 1, 2029, but would receive a full refund of those taxes from the state's general fund. The refund process is scheduled to begin after June 30, 2026, allowing the city to access funds for the project while still receiving the tax benefit. This measure directly affects the city's budget for the construction project and requires state funding to cover the refunded tax amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 5010: Pilot program established for delegation of authority for licensing and inspection of food, beverage, and lodging establishments; Shakopee delegation authorized; statewide expansion provided; and reports required.

This bill creates a five-year pilot program allowing the city of Shakopee to take over state responsibilities for licensing and inspecting food, beverage, and lodging establishments. To qualify, the city must hire qualified health professionals, follow state standards, and set up its own data systems while paying for the program through local fees. The state health commissioner will keep the power to monitor the city's work and can cancel the agreement if standards are not met. If the pilot is successful, the commissioner will be authorized to allow other cities to take on these duties statewide without restrictions based on population size. The bill also requires the state to submit annual reports to lawmakers detailing inspection numbers, compliance results, and costs to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 4979: Delivery of professional services through artificial intelligence directly to consumers precluded, and enforcement and penalties provided.

This bill prohibits artificial intelligence models from directly providing licensed professional services to consumers in Minnesota. It requires that any AI delivering such services must be actively operated by a licensed human professional at the time of service. The law allows licensed professionals to use AI as a tool to assist their work but forbids the AI from acting independently. Violations of these rules can be enforced by the state attorney general under existing penalty statutes.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 5004: Penalties for certain uses of public land by homeless individuals prohibited, affirmative defense in criminal proceedings provided, and civil remedies provided.

This bill prohibits local governments in Minnesota from penalizing homeless individuals for specific activities on public land, such as sleeping, eating, storing belongings, or occupying parked vehicles. It establishes a legal defense for homeless people who engage in these behaviors when no adequate alternative indoor shelter is available, defining such shelter as accessible, free, and capable of accommodating family and pets. The legislation also grants the state attorney general the power to enforce these rules and allows individuals to sue for damages or court orders if their rights are violated. Furthermore, the law overrides any conflicting local ordinances and ensures that municipalities cannot use these provisions to discriminate against homeless people or impose cruel punishment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Bill results