This bill allocates $10.9 million in state funding to the City of Oakdale for replacing its municipal water main infrastructure. The money will be used to design, construct, and equip the new water system, as well as for associated street reconstruction and improvements. To generate the necessary funds, the state authorizes the sale and issuance of bonds up to the full appropriation amount. The appropriation and bond authorization take effect immediately upon the bill's final enactment.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to stop the state of Minnesota from requiring local governments to implement new programs or rules without providing the money needed to pay for them. Under the plan, any state law or agency rule that forces local units to spend more on compliance would be unenforceable unless the legislature first appropriates full funding based on objective cost estimates. The amendment includes exceptions for criminal laws, federally mandated requirements, emergency measures passed by a two-thirds legislative vote, locally approved ordinances, and rules with a fiscal impact under one percent of a local budget. If voters approve this change at the 2026 general election, the new restrictions on unfunded mandates would take effect on January 1, 2027.
This bill prohibits the Minnesota Department of Public Safety from accepting any private money, including donations, nonfederal grants, bequests, or gifts, for any purpose. The law requires that the department cannot use such funds to carry out its duties or for any other activity, effectively banning all private financial contributions to the agency. Additionally, the bill removes previous reporting requirements that allowed the department to disclose how it used accepted private funds. This change directly affects the Department of Public Safety by restricting its ability to receive and utilize external private funding.
This bill modifies the Minnesota Department of Education to strengthen the Office of the Inspector General, which is responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, theft, waste, and abuse in state education programs. It grants the office expanded authority to access confidential records and defines specific actions, such as submitting false information or causing unnecessary costs, as fraud or abuse. The legislation also establishes rules for protecting investigative data, outlines procedures for reporting misconduct, and clarifies the inspector general's role in cooperating with law enforcement. These changes directly affect the department's internal oversight structure and the individuals involved in managing or receiving state education funds.
This bill prohibits the sale and possession of lead ammunition in Minnesota to protect public safety and the environment. It establishes a phased ban where manufacturers and wholesalers cannot sell lead ammo starting August 1, 2027, while retailers are banned from selling it beginning August 1, 2028. By August 1, 2028, individuals are also prohibited from using or possessing lead ammunition, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for violations. The law includes exemptions for peace officers and government employees performing official duties, and it requires a public buyback program to help residents dispose of or exchange existing lead ammunition. Additionally, the bill mandates that shooting ranges and hunting programs incorporate education about the dangers of lead and the benefits of nontoxic alternatives.
This bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for treating or slowing dementia, including necessary diagnostic tests. It specifically prohibits these plans from using step therapy protocols, which would otherwise force patients to try cheaper or alternative treatments before accessing the most effective options for dementia care. The legislation also modifies rules on prior authorization for certain drugs, ensuring public input and limiting how quickly new medications can be restricted. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to any health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.
This bill updates Minnesota drivers' licenses and identification cards to show when a holder has a lifetime permit to hunt from a stationary vehicle. It applies specifically to individuals with permanent physical disabilities who qualify for this special hunting permit under existing state laws. The legislation requires the Department of Public Safety to receive electronic notifications from the Department of Natural Resources when such lifetime permits are issued, suspended, or revoked. Once notified, the department must add a specific graphic or written mark to the affected driver's license or ID card to indicate the permit status. These changes are designed to ensure that law enforcement and other officials can easily identify permit holders while the bill itself takes effect on June 1, 2027.
This bill authorizes licensed pharmacies in Minnesota to operate remote pickup sites where patients can collect their prescribed drugs and medical devices. Under the new rules, these remote locations do not need their own separate pharmacy license as long as they are managed by an existing licensed pharmacy. The legislation defines a remote pickup site as any location other than the main pharmacy where a patient or their representative can pick up medications dispensed by a pharmacist at the managing pharmacy. This change aims to provide more flexible options for patients to receive their prescriptions while maintaining oversight through the managing pharmacy's existing license.
This bill creates a new legal option for perishable food producers in Minnesota to sue individuals who knowingly make false claims about their products. It specifically targets people who falsely state that a food item is unsafe or that farming methods used to create it make it unsafe, provided the speaker intended to harm the producer's reputation. If a court determines these false statements caused harm, it can order the speaker to pay damages. The law sets a one-year time limit for filing such lawsuits and defines "agricultural practices" to include farming, feeding, and livestock care methods.
This bill requires the Metropolitan Airports Commission to increase transparency regarding flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that carry passengers being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Specifically, it mandates that the airport operator notify the commission of these flights and provides details on the number of detained passengers, including minors, along with flight schedules and routes. To further ensure public oversight, the commission must install a live-streaming camera at the relevant terminal to broadcast the loading and unloading of these flights and submit monthly reports to state legislators. These provisions apply directly to the airport authority and the specific terminal handling private and business flights, aiming to make the presence and movement of detained individuals more visible to the public.
This bill appropriates $5.5 million from the Clean Water Fund in fiscal year 2027 to support a demonstration project in Lyon County. The funds will be used to construct a treatment system at the Lyon County Regional Landfill that targets contaminants such as PFAS, chloride, and other pollutants in landfill leachate. The primary goal of the project is to protect groundwater from potential contamination. This is a one-time appropriation directed to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for distribution as a grant to the county.
This bill grants the City of Oakdale a refundable sales and use tax exemption for materials and equipment used in its Police Expansion and City Hall Remodel Project. Purchases made between April 30, 2026, and January 1, 2029, will initially be taxed as usual, but the city will receive a refund of those taxes from the state's general fund. The legislation requires that refunds for these eligible purchases cannot be issued until after June 30, 2026, and it appropriates state funds to cover the cost of these refunds.
