Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4824: Locations where certain arrests can be made restricted.

This bill restricts civil arrests against individuals attending state court proceedings, including parties, witnesses, and their supporters, while they are traveling to, inside, or returning from a courthouse. It defines "civil arrest" as any detention that is not for a criminal offense, a probation violation, or based on a court warrant, and it extends protection to areas within 1,000 feet of the courthouse. If someone violates this rule, they can be sued for damages of up to $10,000 plus legal fees, though criminal arrests and court orders to maintain safety remain unaffected. The law applies to all state courts and does not allow lawsuits against court staff acting to preserve order.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4962: Certain timber permits extensions requirement provision

This bill modifies Minnesota's timber permit laws to improve transparency and provide flexibility for landowners. It requires the state to include a specific assessment of frozen ground access needs in timber sale lists and mandates that permits for such tracts last at least four years, ending on May 31 of the fifth year. Additionally, the legislation creates a new process allowing holders of existing unexpired permits to request a one-year extension without penalty or interest, provided they are not delinquent on payments or have active trespass violations. These changes directly affect state timber purchasers and the Department of Natural Resources by altering permit duration requirements and extension procedures.

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4839: Commissioner of health directed to join World Health Organization Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network.

This bill directs the Minnesota Department of Health to join the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. The commissioner must identify the necessary application process by September 1, 2026, and submit the application by December 1, 2026. This action aims to integrate the state's health response capabilities with a global system for monitoring and addressing disease outbreaks. The legislation does not alter existing funding or staffing but establishes a specific timeline for this international partnership.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Liz Reyer (D) · 34 co-sponsors

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4795: Motor vehicle registration tax modified.

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 applied to the manufacturer's suggested retail price from 1.54% to 1.25% for cars registered before November 2020, and from 1.575% to 1.285% for newer vehicles, while also removing destination charges from the calculation for most cars. The legislation adjusts the percentage of the vehicle price used for tax purposes as the car ages, reducing the rate each year until it reaches a flat fee in the eleventh year. These tax changes are scheduled to take effect for registration periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4959: State-paid free school lunches limitation to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines provision, school wellness and resiliency aid establishment, school-linked behavioral health grants expansion provision, and appropriation

This bill modifies Minnesota's school lunch funding and policies by restricting state-paid free meals to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. It establishes a new "enhanced school meals program" that provides additional state funding for students whose family income falls between 185 and 500 percent of the poverty line, effectively creating a tiered payment structure for schools. The legislation also updates rules to prevent "lunch shaming" and requires schools to have clear policies regarding unpaid meal debts and third-party meal vendors. Additionally, the bill allocates money for school wellness, resiliency aid, and behavioral health grants, with specific funding amounts changing for the fiscal years 2025 through 2028.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4794: Farmed Cervidae fencing requirements modified.

This bill updates Minnesota's fencing rules for farmed deer and elk to better prevent them from escaping or interacting with wild animals. It mandates that all perimeter fences be at least 96 inches tall and made of high-tensile material, while requiring two redundant gates at every entry point. Owners must immediately fix any fence defects that allow animals to enter or exit, with other repairs due within 14 days, and facilities found with violations face additional reinspection fees. The legislation also gives animal health officials the power to revoke a farm's registration and order the removal or destruction of animals if the facility has multiple escape incidents or fails to correct identified safety issues.

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4865: Northfield; marked Trunk Highway 19 intersection roundabout funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the issuance of up to $4,070,000 in state bonds to fund the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Trunk Highway 19 and Armstrong Road in Northfield. The appropriated funds will be used by the commissioner of transportation to design and build the traffic circle, with money drawn from the trunk highway fund's bond proceeds account. Once enacted, the commissioner of management and budget will sell the bonds to generate the necessary capital for the project. The legislation directly affects the city of Northfield by improving traffic flow at the specified location and involves state transportation and budget officials in the funding process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4983: City of Jordan SCALE regional public safety training facility burn structure and system upgrades appropriation and bond issuance authorization

This bill authorizes the issuance of up to $1,788,000 in state bonds to fund upgrades at the SCALE regional public safety training facility in Jordan. The funds will be used to replace aging burn structures with a new, compliant fire training tower and to modernize the technical systems for both Class A and Class B burn structures. The money will be provided as a grant to the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency Joint Powers Board, which manages the facility. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4967: Special purpose credit loan program appropriation through Build Wealth MN

This bill appropriates $2 million from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to support the Build Wealth MN program. The funds will be used to expand a special credit loan program that provides affordable mortgages to underserved borrowers, particularly in communities of color. The money is designated as a one-time grant to the Housing Finance Agency commissioner for administering the program. This legislation directly affects the state's housing finance operations and the specific group of borrowers targeted by the loan pool.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4990: Minnesota Public Safety Radio Communications Funding and Interoperability Act establishment and appropriation

This bill creates a new state funding program to support the expansion and maintenance of Minnesota's public safety radio network, known as ARMER. It removes the requirement for counties to pay for this network using local taxes while allowing them to voluntarily contribute up to 25% of specific project costs through a new state-managed account. The legislation also establishes a framework for different agencies, such as police and fire departments, to communicate with each other effectively during emergencies. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on how the state funds are used and gives officials the authority to create rules for managing these communications systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4809: Levy limits for local governmental units established.

This bill updates the rules for calculating property tax levy limits for local governmental units in Minnesota, taking effect for taxes payable in 2027 and later. It changes how the base amount for these limits is determined by using the final tax levy from the previous year instead of the prior year's levy aid base. Additionally, the bill modifies how the base is adjusted to account for inflation and population changes, removing previous caps on inflation adjustments and eliminating the factor for new construction growth. These changes aim to provide a more flexible framework for local governments to set their future property tax collections.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4977: Clemency Review Commission and Board of Pardons procedures expansion and clarification

This bill expands and clarifies the procedures for the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission and Board of Pardons to improve how clemency applications are processed. It establishes new panels of three members to prescreen applications, allowing them to recommend denial or referral for a hearing without requiring the applicant to attend the initial review. The legislation also modifies eligibility rules for pardons and introduces a mechanism for waiving waiting periods in cases of unusual circumstances, while granting governors the authority to waive hearing requirements for specific petitions. Additionally, the bill sets a minimum frequency for board meetings and outlines how victims, law enforcement, and prosecutors may provide input during the review process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results