MICA Weekly Legislative Update - Issue #7

Legislature passes second deadline with unsure path toward adjournment

With the first and second deadline passing on Friday, committees in both the House and especially the Senate saw agendas with a lengthy list of bills. While the Senate is passing some omnibus bills, the House has not moved many omnibus bills out of committee, with the House Republican caucus committing to move bills individually instead. Omnibus bills are seen as bad process, but lawmakers rely on them as the best way to pass a large number of bills. On Friday Ways and Means co-chair Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) confirmed what many at the capitol had assumed, that the House won’t be setting budget targets for committees. Without budget targets the goal is for committees move more bills individually, but many House committees are struggling with that given the 50-50 split across each committee.

In many ways the process this year stands in strong contrast to how the House operated last year. 2025 was a budget session so it forced the House’s hand to pass budget bills with targets in place to reduce deficit issues the state was facing in future bienniums. House floor sessions were largely perfunctory last year, without having extended debate since the parties were working together to pass budget bills. This year the two parties are frequently trading turns moving to suspend the rules to take up bills that they’re prioritizing, even if they know garnering any votes from the other side of the aisle. Put simply, once the House got organized at 67-67 last year, both parties were acting like the majority. This year, they’re both acting like the minority.

Path toward the end of session

While the outlook for the end of session is murky at best now, it’s important to remember that deals can come together quickly at the Capitol. While those deals will be harder to reach without the traditional structure of committees negotiating large omnibus bills in conference committee, they can still certainly come together. When leaders agree on what legislation to move, the structure of how it moves isn’t as essential. The legislation moves. The question is whether they’ll be able to get that kind of agreement in the current atmosphere at the capitol when there will be less pressure to make deals without the traditional structure in place.

When asked about how legislation would advance in an environment with a fractured approach to how bills move, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said “They (larger senate bills) might not have a corresponding partner but they may have pieces of those bills. We have an uneven path in terms of how we are matching things up.”

House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson didn’t see things immediately turning around once the legislature returns from break but viewed the door as still open to get things done at the end of session. He compared this moment to how difficult it was in 2025. “I don’t know if it’s ever been worse than it was at that point (first day of the 2025 legislative session). And we were able to get a budget done without a shutdown. And that’s why I say this isn’t over and there’s a lot of session left.”

MICA priorities move forward in the Senate

This past week the Senate moved bills through committees regarding IT Modernization, modifying the African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, and addressing the SNAP cost share. The IT modernization moved through both Health & Human Services as well as State and Local Government. In the State and Local Government Committee the bill was amended, creating a Legislative Commission on Human Services Systems. The commission would be composed of six members from each of the House and Senate, evenly split between parties. Sen. Wiklund said that the intent of the commission would be to address the long term issues in addition to the short term issues in the underlying bill that the Human Services Steering Committee composed of county appointees and state agency officials. Sen. Wiklund said that another advantage of the legislative commission is that it could receive reports from the steering committee and improve legislative expertise on the IT modernization issues that the state and counties are facing. Sen. Mark Koran spoke in favor of the amendment and the bill was passed to the Rules committee. There’s been broad bipartisan buy in on IT modernization in the House as well, though different language is under consideration. Language modifying the act was laid over for possible inclusion in the Senate as well as the SNAP cost share language.

Legislative timeline:

• March 28-April 6: Easter/Passover Break
• April 17: Third Committee Deadline
• May 18: Constitutional deadline for adjournment

Ways and Means Co-Chairs appear on Almanac: House Ways and Means co-chairs Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) and Rep. Cedric Frazier (DFL-New Hope) appeared on Almanac to talk about the 2026 legislative session. Not only did Rep. Torkelson mention the House wouldn’t have budget targets, there was extensive conversation about how the partisan divide has created barriers at the capitol. They discussed a “covid hangover” approach to legislating that has made it more difficult, with legislators getting less in person face time with those across the aisle.

Legislative Update timing: With no legislative action this week, next week an abbreviated update will go out on Tuesday previewing the week ahead.

Tax committees which don’t face deadlines continue at a slow pace: Last week the senate tax committee met just once, leaving time open on Tuesday (as it has every week this year) and Wednesday for senators to be in other committees which were feeling the deadline crunch. While some committees were hearing 20 or more bills in one hearing, the House Tax committee heard two presentations this week and just nine bills total. The third deadline (April 17), which applies to major finance bills, does not necessarily apply to the tax committee. There are years where the House tax committee has sent its bill out of committee by the third deadline, but it happens less often during even-numbered years. While the Senate Taxes committee has moved some individual bills to the floor, the House Tax committee hasn’t advanced any legislation out of committee. With tax bills originating in the House, it’s unclear when, or if, the committee will move a package of proposals together. In the meantime, there are still a significant number of bills which haven’t been heard that could receive a hearing.

House hears presentation from counties on local homelessness prevention aid and bill that would eliminate sunset of the program: On Wednesday the House Committee on Taxes heard a combined presentation from counties on the local homelessness prevention aid program. MICA executive director Nathan Jesson presented with George Borrell, Anoka County Community Social Services Director; Dave Dunn, Olmsted County Director of Housing and Planning; and AMC staff. DFLers voiced support for the bill while Republican members had questions about how to make the reporting the program currently requires more comprehensive. The aid is currently scheduled to sunset with the final payments going out in 2028. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Bill introductions of interest:

• HF4561 (Gomez) Modifying reporting requirements of the local homeless prevention aid; allowing for redistribution of unspent money; repealing the sunset of the aid
• HF4604 (Swedzinski)/SF4834 (Weber) Providing an exemption for local governments on the purchase of motor vehicle leases and construction materials when purchased by a contractor or subcontractor
• HF4647 (Coulter) Property tax refunds; excluding scholarships, dependent flexible spending accounts, and health flexible spending accounts from the income definition  used by the homestead credit refund program
• HF4709 (Mueller) Establishing exemption for an electric generation facility
• HF4716 (Swedzinski)/SF4908 (Howe) Providing an exemption for construction materials for certain projects financed through an act relating to capital investment
• HF4780 (Igo) Establishing the Task Force on Housing Taxes and Fees; requiring a report
• SF4840 (Drazkowski) Allowing a reverse referendum for local government levies that increase by a certain amount
• SF4857 (Putnam) Courthouse facility construction materials tax exemption provision
• HF4779 (Rymer) SF4864 (Koran) Authorizing Chisago County to impose a local sales and use tax
• SF4918 (Housley) Criteria modification for an eligible taxing jurisdiction to qualify for aid
• SF4867 (Port) Local affordable housing aid distribution modification

Attempt to Reduce Tab Fees Fails

On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee heard HF3562, which would reduce registration taxes to their pre-2023 levels. As introduced, the bill would not backfill the lost revenue. However, Rep. Patti Anderson (R-Dellwood), the bill’s author, added an amendment to transfer general fund dollars to the highway user tax distribution fund (HUTDF) to make up for the lost revenue.

Rep. Anderson and Co-Chair Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville) read emails from constituents decrying their sticker shock when they renew their tabs. They also criticized the fact Minnesotans are paying taxes on significantly inflated vehicle values since the depreciation schedule changed. While recognizing that tab fees are too high, Co-Chair Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee) argued against taking away HUTDF funds when there’s a massive funding gap in maintaining Minnesota’s roads. He also thought it was disingenuous to use general fund dollars to backfill the loss since the committee has no budget target to spend them and there won’t be any in the out biennium with the state’s looming budget deficit.

No public testimony on the bill was allowed, but numerous organizations, including MICA, submitted comments opposed to the significant loss of constitutionally dedicated funds. After debate, the bill failed on a party-line roll call vote.

Bill Introductions of Interest     

• HF4531 (Jones)/SF4567 (Dibble) Department of Transportation required to modify evaluation and planning process for certain transportation projects.

To see a list of all the transportation bills being tracked on behalf of MICA, click here.

All three county HHS priorities were heard in Senate Health and Human Services on Tuesday evening. All were laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill: Hearing Link

IT Modernization

SF4719 (Wicklund) establishes a Human Services Systems Steering Committee and appropriates funds for county information technology updates. Bill Summary

County Testimony:

• Matt Hilgart testified on behalf of AMC, MICA, and the Rural Counties Association. He noted that several other organizations are in support of the bill, including the Council of Health Plans, the Minnesota Hospitals Association, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and the Minnesota Business Partnership.

County Presentation:

• Zack Wagner, Dakota County, addressed the complex MAXIS system, which is used to determine benefit eligibility.
• Tiffany Miller, Dakota County, who has worked for 20 years in the MAXIS system.
• Scott County Commissioner Barb Weckman Brekke

Modernizing Technology Letter of Support

Counties Modernization Presentation

In response to questions regarding SSIS, Dan Jensen (Olmsted County) indicated that there has been progress. He noted that there are a variety of vendors who have expertise in integration, which is desperately needed so as to allow the various systems to communicate with one another.

Sen. Mark Koran (R-North Branch) talked about the procurement process, reflecting his belief that it should be conducted through an “invitation and negotiate” process.” He stated the need to extract the best knowledge out there and that the state should be able to “test drive” the new system for a period of time before it signs the final contract. He added that nothing should move forward without counties’ approval.

Sen. Liz Boldon (DFL-Rochester) inquired as to whether a typo as a result of information being inputted over and over again would be reflected in the “error rate.” Mr. Hilgart responded in the affirmative.

Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville) thanked both Dakota and Scott Counties, as well as counties as a whole for our efforts to educate the Legislature.

SF4719 Bill Summary

Letter of Support

Counties Modernization Presentation

On Friday, the Senate State and Local Government reviewed SF4719 (Wiklund). Passed as amended and referred to Rules.

Author’s A3 Technical Amendment; adopted

Author’s A6 Amendment; Sen. Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) indicated that she has been working with Sen. Koran regarding creating a legislatively-focused commission that would have an oversight role over human services systems; would be comprised of six members from the Senate and six members from the House. Sen. Koran spoke in support of the amendment. Adopted

MAAFPCWDA

SF4335 (Champion) As introduced, the proposal requires DCYF to conduct the required case reviews and would appropriate money to counties for staffing and services for the statewide implementation of the MAAFPCDWA.

AMC MACSSA MICA Letter of Support

MAAFPCWDA Implementation

Author’s A-2 Amendment; adopted

• defines disproportionately represented child
• requires the commissioner to determine the communities that are disproportionately represented in​ Minnesota's child protection system
• requires commissioner to define what constitutes disability and low-income socioeconomic status​
• requires counties to ​document the efforts the agency takes when determining whether a child meets or does not​ meet the definition of disproportionately represented child
• requires DCYF to review ten percent of each county’s child protection cases; first report due October 2029
• prioritizes in-person training for county supervisors, as well as areas of the state with limited attendance or availability
• extends Hennepin and Ramsey Counties‘ appropriations from June 30  to December 31, 2026.
• extends working group until December 2027

County Testimony:

• Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham and Executive Director Stacie Hennen, Western Prairie Human Services, testified in support of the underlying bill.
• Otter Tail County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson testified in support of the bill. He spoke about Scott County as a model for Family Resource Centers (FRCs.) He noted that Otter Tail is in the process of establishing an FRC.
• Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran and Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando both testified from the perspective of the phase-in counties who began their work in 2025.

Member comments:

• Sen. Mark Koran asked Sen. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) whether counties will be funded?

Sen. Champion response: yes, there is a blank appropriation in the bill at this time.

• Koran: How will case reviews work?

Sen. Champion response: DCYF will initially review 10% of the cases.

Stacie Hennen added that the working group continues to have discussions about whether the reviews will be mostly administrative – as opposed to having the families interviewed as part of the process.

• Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids) spoke of unfunded mandates. He asked what will be left to the counties. He suggested a local impact note would be appropriate.

Sen. Champion response: the Legislature “will do its very best” to provide funding for the case review process and to counties to implement the Act.

As previously reported, the companion bill HF4125 (Agbaje) remains in the House Children and Families Committee.

SNAP Cost Shares

SF4359 (Boldon) protects counties from increased administrative costs as a result of “error rates” and a share of the SNAP benefit under HR1. Bill Summary

A-1 Author’s Amendment; adopted

AMC MACSSA MICA

AMC SNAP Document

Pointing out that SNAP is a federal program, Sen. Boldon addressed error rates, stating that they are often the result of the client not updating their financial information or unintentional clerical mistakes. According to DCYF, state cost estimates due to HR1 requirements will be (1) $96 million annually for the new benefit share; and (2) $39 million annually under the current error rate.

County testimony:

• Scott County Health and Human Services Director Barb Dahl addressed error rates and reminded the committee that the 1980s technology counties continue to work with results in time-consuming work-arounds.
• LeSueur County Commissioner David Preisler provided a history of the federal entitlement program and also addressed technology needs. He spoke of his concern regarding increased property taxes and the burden largely placed on homeowners in counties that have little in the way of commercial property.

Discussions of ways to prevent fraud continues to be front and center:

• Office of the Inspector General (OIG): SF856 (Norris) establishes an OIG in the executive branch. Under the current House proposal, the Governor would appoint a qualified individual to serve as Inspector General (IG), subject to supermajority confirmation by the Senate. On Tuesday, the House State Government Committee passed the bill and referred it to Judiciary. Bill Summary

The House Judiciary Committee then reviewed the bill on Thursday and passed it to Ways and Means.

• Tuesday House Human Services: The following bills were all heard and laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill:

• HF4491 (Schomacker) directs DHS to establish prepayment review of MA fee-for-service claims when the commissioner or CMS designate a provider type or a covered service as “high-risk.”
• HF4566 (Franson) relates to monetary recovery and sanctions in the MA program by specifying that a credible allegation of fraud includes an allegation of illegal remuneration (“kickback.”) Session Daily

• Tuesday House Public Safety: HF2354 (Norris) makes changes related to MA fraud. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue subpoenas for certain wage, insurance, and financial information when there is an ongoing law enforcement investigation. Appropriates $1.23 million per year on an ongoing basis to the Attorney General to combat MA fraud. Passed and referred to Ways and Means.
• Wednesday House Public Safety: HF4425 (Myers) increases the statute of limitations for crimes involving MA fraud or other theft of money belonging to the government. Passed and sent to the House floor. Bill Summary

There are several cannabis-related bills moving through the process:

• HF3615 (Hanson, J. / Port) extends the date allowing for testing of lower-potency hemp edibles and hemp-derived consumer products at any accredited laboratory (outside Minnesota) to May 31, 2027. Governor Walz signed the bill into law on March 27, as Chapter 40.

Tuesday Senate Commerce

• Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) bills; OCM 2026 Legislative Policy Proposals
• SF4542 (Dibble) addresses cannabis event provisions. Passed and referred to Finance. Bill Summary

The following bills were all debated and laid over:

• SF4541 (Dibble) streamlines the adult-use and medical cannabis supply chains to ensure continued access to medical cannabis. Under current law, cannabis businesses must keep medical and adult-use business activities and products entirely separate. Alleviates burden on license holders and increases participation in the medical market.

SF4541 Streamlining One Pager

• SF4540 (Dibble) modifies cannabis business license and endorsement provisions
• SF4519 (Dibble) makes various changes to provisions related to local units of government and cannabis businesses, including interim ordinances, retail registration, and compliance checks. Bill Summary

Wednesday Senate Judiciary and Public Safety:

• SF4402 (Dibble) clarifies that data reported to the Office of Cannabis Management through the statewide monitoring system is not public data provision. Passed and referred to Commerce.

Wednesday House Judiciary

• HF4200 (Hanson, J.) clarifies that data reported to Office of Cannabis Management through statewide monitoring system is not public data. Passed as amended and referred to Ways & Means.
  Bill Summary
  A1 Amendment; adopted

Thursday House Commerce

• HF4203 (Hanson, J.), the Omnibus Cannabis policy bill, passed and was referred to Ways and Means.

Friday Senate Commerce

• SF4401 (Dibble); vehicle for Omnibus Cannabis Bill. Passed and sent to Finance.
  Bill Summary

OCM 2026 Legislative Policy Proposals

Streamlining One Pager

Housing Stabilization Services
HF3379 (Schomacker/Hoffman) repeals the HSS program established by the 2025 Legislature; clarifies  the commissioner’s authority to terminate MA benefits without legislative directive; and directs the commissioner to develop recommendations for a new service to support individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in obtaining and maintaining safe, stable housing.
Passed the House on a unanimous vote (134-0) and awaits final action on the Senate floor. Bill Summary

Monday House Health Finance
The following bills passed and were sent to the House floor:

• HF4438 (Bierman) Department of Health Policy Bill. Bill Summary
• Modifies suicide prevention plan and 988 Lifeline reporting provisions.
• Exception to the Contract Term Limit for the WIC Program: The WIC program relies on complex Management Information Systems (MIS) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) systems to deliver supplemental nutrition benefits to eligible families. Current state law limits professional and technical contracts to a maximum of five years, requiring near-constant reprocurement of these mission-critical systems. Conforms with federal USDA guidance by providing an exception to the contract term limit for WIC, MIS, and EBT services, allowing an initial five-year contract with extensions up to a total of ten years. Promotes service continuity, reduces administrative burden, and supports more competitive pricing for the state’s WIC program, while ensuring uninterrupted access to essential nutrition benefits for Minnesotans.
• Option for Tribal Governments to participate in the State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC).
• HF4467 (Bierman) DHS Health Care Administration Policy Bill. Bill Summary; Bill Index

Co-Chair Backer presented the A1 Amendment which addresses “CARMA” enrollment - bringing it in line with recent litigation. Adopted.

• HF4379 (Bierman) an initiative of Aspire Minnesota, establishes and codifies an early childhood mental health consultation grant program, provides additional rights to children receiving home and community-based services under chapter 245D; modifies requirements for children’s therapeutic services and supports (CTSS) day treatment services; and for intensive nonresidential rehabilitative mental health services (IRMHS), removes age categories and modifies core team requirements. Bill Summary
  A1 Technical Amendment; adopted

A3 Amendment; addresses CCBHC rebasing; adopted

HF4379 Combined Testimony

• SF3402 (Virnig) modifies the definition of “medical consultant” in Chapter 145A (Community Health Boards) by expanding those professionals who may act as medical consultants for community health boards: doctors of osteopathic medicine, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurse certified to practice as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner.

Lisa Brodsky, Scott County Public Health, testified in support of the bill, pointing out the workforce challenges due to physicians being stretched thin.Bill Summary

Tuesday House Human Services
The following bills were all heard and laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill:

• HF4491 (Schomacker) directs DHS to establish prepayment review of MA fee-for-service claims when the commissioner or CMS designate a provider type or a covered service as “high-risk.”
• HF4288 (Franson) reenacts framework rates for family residential services. Bill Summary
• HF4566 (Franson) relates to monetary recovery and sanctions in the MA program by specifying that a credible allegation of fraud includes an allegation of illegal remuneration (“kickback.”)

Session Daily

Tuesday Senate Health and Human Services:

• SF4604 (Mohamed) requires compliance training for high-risk MA providers. Passed and referred to Human Services. Bill Summary
• SF4551 (Utke) requires  proof of operation and finances prior to receiving public money. Passed and referred to Human Services. Bill Summary
• SF4611 (Wiklund) MNsure easy enrollment. Laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.
• SF4486 (Hoffman) authorizes pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill. Bill Summary
• SF513 (Mann) requires the Commissioner of Health to establish and maintain an office dedicated to preventing gun violence. Laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.
• SF4187 (Pappas) requires notice of unlawfully transported infectious waste or pathological waste. Passed and referred to Environment.
• SF4581 (Oumou Verbeten) allows a child care provider that receives funding from CCAP to apply for an absent days limit exemption when an extraordinary event causes substantially less than normal attendance or closure for the child care program. Laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.
• SF4545 (Boldon) allows paid break time, professional development or training hours, and paid vacation time to count as qualifying hours towards a child care program’s reporting of eligible full-time equivalent staff for the purposes of the Great Start Compensation Support Payments Grant Program. Laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.

Tuesday House Children and Families

• HF3831 (Altendorf) would modify income and asset requirements for SNAP benefits. Motion to pass and refer the bill to Ways and Means failed on a tie vote of 7-7; bill was laid over. Bill Summary

Author’s A1 Amendment; adopted

• HF1900 (Nadeau) modifies actions an MFIP or SNAP applicant or recipient is subject to if that recipient has been convicted of a felony level drug offense in the previous ten years; and repeals a provision related to General Assistance applicants and recipients who have been convicted of drug offenses. Passed and referred to the House floor. Bill Summary

Wednesday Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

• SF3704 (Mann) establishes the legal age of possession of kratom as 21 years of age or older. Passed and sent to the Senate floor.
• SF4293 (Westlin) clarifies commissioner of corrections substance abuse care clarification;  tuberculosis screening. Passed and sent to the Senate floor.

A-2 Amendment; deletes language related to screening procedures without detainee consent and screening of employees; adopted

Wednesday House Children and Families

• HF4174 (Hanson) appropriates ongoing money for the Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) under DCYF. Passed to Ways and Means. Bill Summary

Suzanne Arntson, Scott County Health and Human Services, testified in support of the proposal, indicating that the program fills a critical gap in Minnesota’s continuum of care. It  helps prevent families from entering the child protection system, avoids more costly interventions, and supports healthier family functioning.

• HF4195 (Kotyza-Witthuhn) establishes grants to youth intervention programs under DCYF. Passed to Ways and Means. Bill Summary
• HF4432 (Pérez-Vega) permits a child care provider who receives funding from the CCAP program to apply for an absent days limit exemption when an extraordinary event results in substantially less than normal attendance or closure. The bill was laid over to continue work on the language. Bill Summary

A2 Amendment; West; adopted

A3 Amendment; Nadeau; adopted

• HF3024 (Hanson, J.) establishes a Foster Youth Bill of Rights. Passed on a unanimous vote and was sent to the House floor. Bill Summary
• HF3773 (Lee) would establish a Minnesota SNAP safety net program. The bill failed to advance on a party-line vote. Bill Summary

Session Daily

Thursday Human Services
HF729 (Noor) Omnibus Human Services bill; passed on a voice vote and was sent to Ways and Means.

The following bills are included in the package:

• HF3378 (Schomacker) requires DHS to release the unredacted initial Optum report and prohibits dissemination and publication of data
• HF3379 (Schomacker) repeals housing stabilization services
• HF3520 (Gillman) modifies IRTS and intensive non-residential rehabilitative mental health services requirements; and clarifies that certain room and board services are eligible for Behavioral Health Fund payment
• HF4068 (Noor) recodifies MA sanctions and monetary recovery provisions and clarifies DHS’ authority to impose sanctions against individuals or entities that receive payments from MA or
• HF4491 (Schomacker) establishes requirements for MA prepayment review

Friday Senate Commerce

·         SF4419 (Wiklund), an MDH bill, aligns electronic drug prior authorization standards with the federal government; modifies prescription drug price transparency reporting by changing quarterly reporting to at least annually; and ensures continued coverage of vaccinations by health insurance plans based on guidance from public health and medical professionals. Passed and referred to Health and Human Services. Bill Summary

MDH Summary Handout

Friday Senate Human Services:

• SF476 (Hoffman) Omnibus Human Services bill. Includes policy regarding Continuity of Care, Aging and Disability Services, Substance Used Disorder Treatment, Direct Care and Treatment, and Department of Health Long-Term Care. The bill passed and was referred to Finance. Bill Index
• SF4222 (Hoffman) addresses authority of DHS to impose sanctions on MA providers; and modifies MA provider enrollment. Advanced to Finance without recommendation.

Friday Senate Judiciary and Public Safety:

• SF4531 (Wiklund) appropriates money for mental health grants, including School-Linked Behavioral Health, Family Peer Specialist Start-Up Grants, Mobile Crisis Grants, and Mental Health Grants for Health Care Professionals. The bill passed and was referred to Finance.

• SF4691 (Oumou Verbeten) Direct Care and Treatment Agency bill; laid over as amended.

A-4 Amendment – adopted

Bill Introductions of Interest:

• SF4626 (Lieske) County cost-share requirements modification for economically distressed counties
• SF4635 (Wiklund) Trust establishment for current and recent foster youth receiving benefits and other income
• SF4645 (Howe) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program governing provisions modification
• SF4663 (Hoffman) Medical assistance prepayment review requirements establishment provision
• SF4710 (Abeler)/ HF4634 (Frederick) Behavioral health fund payments for uncollectible withdrawal management debt provided, span of eligibility for behavioral health fund services extended, pilot program established, and other behavioral health provisions modified.
• SF4742 (Frentz)/HF4523 (Virnig) Human services systems modernization pilot projects establishment
• SF4752 (Kunesh) Parent whose parental rights are terminated must remain liable for child support obligations provision
• SF4719 (Wiklund)/HF4675 (Nadeau) Human Services Systems Steering Committee establishment
• SF4788 (Abeler)/HF4636 (Hicks) Medical assistance eligibility redetermination timelines modification for employed persons with disabilities
• SF4827 (Lieske)/HF4669 (Roach) Local government noncompliance allowance with unfunded mandates
• SF4879 (Hoffman) Enrollment and eligibility priority modification for children in foster care for community education programs, school readiness programs, early learning scholarships, and basic sliding fee child care assistance
• HF4561 (Gomez) Local homeless prevention aid reporting requirements modified, redistribution of unspent money allowed, and aid sunset repealed.
• HF4566 (Franson) Suspension of medical assistance payments during investigation of kickback fraud permitted, and rulemaking required to include kickbacks in the definition of fraud.
• HF4570 (West)/SF4876 (Port) Cannabis microbusiness outdoor cultivation limit increase
• HF4577 (Rymer) Psilocybin therapeutic use program establishment
• HF4593 (Robbins) Statute of limitations increased for crimes involving medical assistance fraud or other theft of money belonging to the government.
• HF4632 (Curran) Waiver reimagine individualized budget requirements modified.
• HF4684 (Robbins) Nonemergency medical transportation providers required to operate vehicles equipped with a global positions system and rear-facing camera, compile information for each trip, and retain recordings for two years.
• HF4688 (West) Cannabis license holders allowed to transport products to testing facilities.
• HF4705 (Nelson) Certain intended parents required to adopt child.
• HF4714 (Warwas) Legislative working group on intellectual and developmental disabilities created, appointments provided, report required, and money appropriated.
• HF4715 (Dippel) Comparison of actual expenditures in forecasted programs to projected spending from prior forecasts required, notice to legislative auditor when actual expenditures deviate required, other budget oversight and accountability provisions modified, and money appropriated.
• HF4719 (Bierman) Medical assistance reimbursement rates increased for mental health services.
• HF4759 (Hudson) Unfunded mandates by the state to local governments prohibited, and constitutional amendment proposed.

On Thursday, the updated battery product stewardship bills were each heard in the House and Senate.HF1426 (Hollins) was heard in the House Environment and Natural Resources committee, where the committee adopted a DE amendment to limit the scope of the bill to just loose or easily removed batteries. Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St Paul) noted the new bill language was informed by ongoing stakeholder discussions over the interim and more work was being done to address industry concerns on a few remaining provisions in the bill. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Testimony in support of the bill was provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), environmental groups and counties, including the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA), the Partnership on Waste and Energy, and Olmsted County. Industry opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA), Battery Council International (BCI), Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA).

Member discussion largely centered around the need for more resources to support county solid waste management efforts, with Co-Chair Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa) highlighting the work of Crow Wing County. He and Rep. Isaac Schultz (R-Elmdale Township) both questioned whether solid waste management tax (SWMT) revenue going to the environmental fund was well-spent by the MPCA. In their response, the MPCA said they were supportive of county efforts to pass a SCORE bill to redirect 100% of SWMT collections to support county recycling and solid waste management activities.

Rep. Hollins also called out strong support from counties for this bill, noting that previous versions of this legislation had given more control to counties but also received significant pushback from industry. A testifier from Recycling Electronics for Climate Action (RECA) also spoke to the cost effectiveness of establishing a uniform statewide product stewardship program, rather than having each county establish their own program.

SF1690 (Kupec) was heard in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection committee. They adopted a DE amendment to limit the scope to loose batteries, as well as an additional A7 amendment to address industry concerns around recalled and lead acid batteries. There was minimal member discussion on how this approach differs from other states’ battery recycling programs.

Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham testified in support of the bill, along with the same groups identified in the House hearing above. MICA’s letter of support is linked here. The bill passed on a 6-4 vote and was referred to the Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy committee.

On Wednesday, the House Legacy committee heard a presentation from the Clean Water Council. A handout on projects supported by the Clean Water Fund was provided to the committee, as well as an overview of Minnesota’s water management framework. 

There was extensive discussion around the constitutional and policy guidelines governing how Clean Water funds can be used, with several committee members asking why infrastructure projects to mitigate water contamination aren’t prioritized when the Council chooses to fund projects. Much of this conversation was focused on PFAS contamination of water in the east metro.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) attempted to address some of the policy questions tied into questions related to appropriate or best use of the Clean Water Fund, “polluter pays” approaches to addressing contamination, and how using funds for remediation would limit their ability to support other projects. Additionally, the Clean Water Fund cannot be used to supplant existing programs and funding sources that exist, but they can supplement. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) spoke to some more recent projects addressing PFAS contamination, including testing and mitigation activities. 

Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St Paul) asked the Council to focus more on water quality across the state, particularly when it comes to aquatic invasive species (AIS), noting that funding for those activities is often left to small local organizations. The Clean Water Council noted that the topic of AIS comes up in many of the projects they fund, even if it’s not the primary focus (gave the examples of shoreline restoration, research on wake boats, etc.). 

On the topic of PFAS, HF4257 (Heintzeman) was heard in the House Environment committee on Tuesday. As amended, the bill extends the reporting timeline for reporting PFAS in products from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. The MPCA shared that they've continued to address issues regarding the PRISM reporting system brought to them by manufacturers and does not feel that a one-year extension is necessary. DFL members used their discussion questions to question MPCA and highlight their belief that a delay is not needed; Republican members spoke in favor of the bill and business interests. The bill was laid over. 

Two other bills of note were heard last week. SF4187 (Pappas), which establishes regulations and penalties regarding the unlawful shipment of infectious or pathological waste, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services committee on Tuesday. Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham testified in support, and the bill passed and was referred back to the Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy committee. 

SF3852 (Johnson Stewart), which would require large volume water users to apply for their own water-use permit instead of modifying an existing municipal permit, was heard in the Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy committee on Thursday. The committee adopted a DE amendment and a fiscal note is linked here. The bill was laid over.

Maintenance and preservation plans for bonding projects: On Tuesday the House Capital Investment committee heard HF2418 (Tabke), which would require political subdivisions that bring forward capital project requests answer whether the political subdivision has a plan for maintenance and preservation of the​ project. It would not require new work on the part of counties, merely give the Governor and legislature information about whether local governments have a maintenance and preservation plan or not. Earlier versions of this bill required local governments set up capital replacement accounts and have funding ready for replacement, but after MICA and other local government officials worked with the author the language was changed to this much narrower approach. The bill was referred to the general register on a voice vote. The bill has not received a hearing in the senate, though Sen. Ann Johnson-Stewart (DFL-Minnetonka) was recently added as the chief author, replacing Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St Paul).

Subcontractor bill moves through House and Senate committees to the floor: SF1714 (Johnson-Stewart) which would require a public contracting agency to provide the amount of payment; the date the payment was made or approved; and a copy of the payment application to a contractor or subcontractor regarding payment by the agency, upon written request from the contractor or subcontractor. The information must be provided by the public contracting agency within seven calendar days of receiving the request. An A7 author’s amendment was adopted, though Sen. Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) voiced concerns, saying that it made too many concessions and would make it more difficult to get invoices submitted. The original language prior to adopting the A7 would have required public agencies to notify every subcontractor of every payment. Sen. Johnson-Stewart said she would revisit that portion of the language again in 2027. The bill was passed to the floor as amended. In the House the bill HF1234 (Scott) was heard in the State Government Finance committee on Tuesday, and an identical A4 author’s amendment was adopted. The bill was passed as amended to the Ways and Means committee.

Elections omnibus moves out of senate committee: On Thursday the Senate Elections committee heard SF4223 (Westlin) which is the elections omnibus bill. A summary of the bill can be found here. MICA submitted a combined letter with AMC and the Minnesota Association of County Auditors dealing with the added work from the bills to address security provisions, and support for increasing penalties for making threats to election judges. Republican senators on the committee voiced concerns with the committee’s work and the bill, saying that it was a partisan process. An amendment was offered by Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville) which clarified that for future elections whether a municipality is open for 18 or 46 days of absentee voting lies with the municipality, with the exception of the 2026 state primary which would require cities and counties to come to an agreement. The amendment was adopted. The bill was passed as amended to the senate floor. Its House companion is HF4243 which is a largely technical bill from the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. That bill has already been moved to the House floor.

Bill allowing social media platforms to broadcast meetings: On Monday, March 23 the House Elections and Government Operations committee heard HF3295 (Gordon) which would modify the open meeting law to allow social media platforms as a tool to broadcast meetings. It would not require meetings be broadcast via social media. Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-Saint Paul) offered an amendment which would ensure that people are not required to have an account to watch the meeting. She also voiced concerns about local governments using this tool as a way to incorporate participation from the public, due to the difficulty in verifying that any participants are actual constituents. The bill was laid over and brought back two days later, when the bill was heard again. An amendment was added to exclude state agencies and another amendment was added to remove the comment features during those meetings. Its senate companion has not received a hearing.

More action on non-disclosure agreements at the capitol: This past week the House referred HF4077 (Greenman) from the House floor to Judiciary committee. It had previously passed the Elections Finance and Government Operations committee. In the Senate, the State and Local Government Committee heard SF4548 (Hauschild) which would prevent elected officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements related to the development of data centers. Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley) said she preferred the broader approach included in her bill, SF4379 which applied to staff and other types of economic development projects and offered an oral amendment to expand the prohibition of NDAs from elected officials to also include staff. That bill was passed as amended to the Judiciary committee. SF4548 (Hauschild) does not yet have a House companion. On Friday the Senate Judiciary committee heard SF4379 (the senate companion to HF4077) from Sen. Maye Quade. An author’s amendment was adopted which exempts municipal power agencies and clarified the definition of when NDAs would not be allowed. The bill was passed and referred to the senate floor.

Bill introductions of Interest

• HF4512 (Smith) Requiring public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development
• HF4514 (Lillie) Local government correctional service retirement plan; employee and employer contribution rates reduced, and postretirement adjustments increased
• HF4527 (Hicks) Proposing a constitutional amendment allowing state debt authorized for digital infrastructure.
• HF4536 (Jones) Prohibiting use of generative artificial intelligence in official records
• HF4543 (Frazier) Requiring creation of a centralized certified payroll reporting portal and database for all state projects covered by prevailing wage requirements
• HF4630 (Cha) County commissioners authorized to participate in health care savings plan
• HF4631 (Johnson, P.) Decreasing employee contributions for school employees in the PERA general plan and increasing employer contributions for those employees
• HF4659 (Roach) Prohibiting the state and municipalities from entering into nondisclosure agreements
• HF4762 (Mueller) Providing a definition of misuse of earned sick and safe time
• HF4763 (Mueller) Allowing employers to front-load a prorated amount of earned sick and safe time to an employee

The Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement heard the report from the Probation Officer and 911 Telecommunicator Task Force on Tuesday as well as the corresponding bill language. The hearing started with a presentation from Pensions Commission staff and then public testimony. MICA Executive Director Nathan Jesson testified that many counties have unique opinions on this topic but if the Commission decides to move forward with an early retirement proposal for these groups of employees that MICA and AMC recommend the approach recommended by the task force. MICA and AMC also submitted a combined letter with comments on the proposal.

The bill language keeps the employer rate constant at 7.5%. The definition of probation officer included in the language requires that the employer certifies that the employee is a probation officer that provides supervision services with direct offender contact or directly supervises employees that are probation officers that provide direct offender contact. The commission members were generally supportive of the bill, though Rep. Danny Nadeau (R-Rogers) had concerns with the plan starting out at an initial deficiency. PERA Executive Director Doug Anderson did not testify in favor or opposition to the bill. He did clarify that while the plan would start out at an initial deficiency given that its forecasted to trend to sufficiency in the coming years the task force opted for the 8.82% employee contribution rate rather than a variable rate that would change in the early years. Rep. Nadeau moved an amendment to increase the employee contribution rate to 9.36% so the plan would start at an initial sufficiency, and schedule future decreases in law starting in 2037, eventually down to 6.8%. He ended up withdrawing the amendment when the decision was made to lay the bill over rather than vote to move it forward. Pensions Chair Sen. Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato) noted that the bill would pass the committee when it came back, though it appears the soonest that will be is April 14.

As legislative deadlines approached, public safety committees entered crunch time, with marathon hearings and extended agendas focused on advancing priority bills for inclusion in omnibus packages. Last week, both the House and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committees heard a high volume of proposals, reflecting the final push to move policy language forward before committee deadlines. The pace and volume of hearings underscored the continued focus on assembling comprehensive policy and finance bills ahead of floor action.

In the House, this work culminated in the advancement of the Public Safety Policy Package HF3990, which brings together proposals heard and laid over throughout the session into a single omnibus vehicle. The package reflects a broad range of policy areas including victim rights, criminal penalties, corrections operations, and law enforcement practices, and signals the House’s priorities as negotiations begin to take shape. With policy deadlines largely met, attention now shifts to floor debate and eventual reconciliation with Senate proposals as part of the broader end of session process.

The House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee has advanced its 2026 Public Safety Policy Package, HF3990. The omnibus policy bill compiles a wide range of public safety proposals heard throughout the session and is now moving to the House floor.

The package reflects a broad set of statutory changes across victim rights, criminal penalties, corrections, and law enforcement practices. It expands victim participation in the court process by allowing victims to object to plea agreements and ensuring their presence at both plea and sentencing hearings. The bill also establishes new criminal penalties and modifies existing statutes, including creating a felony offense for threats to disseminate private sexual images, expanding organized retail theft statutes to include gift card-related theft, and increasing the legal age to purchase and possess kratom from 18 to 21.

Several provisions directly impact correctional operations and supervision. The bill requires that individuals with the ability to pay complete court-ordered restitution prior to being eligible for supervised release and mandates tuberculosis screening within 14 days of intake and annually thereafter for individuals in custody. The package also includes updates to the licensing and oversight of local correctional facilities, including inspection requirements, reporting standards, and expanded authority for the commissioner.

Additional provisions impact law enforcement practices, including requirements to provide notice when chemical irritants are used in a building, along with guidance on cleanup and potential health impacts.

The following bills were included in the House Public Safety Policy Package:

HF2169 (Schwartz)

HF2358 (Van Binsbergen)

HF3155 (Tabke)

HF3453 (Hanson)

HF3496 (Harder)

HF3768 (Curran)

HF3769 (Curran)

HF3771 (Johnson, P.)

HF3782 (Moller)

HF3825 (Repinski)

HF3826 (Witte)

HF3827 (Duran)

HF3868 (Curran)

HF3870 (Curran)

HF3946 (Moller)

HF3990 (Novotny)

HF4151 (Witte)

The Senate Judiciary committee worked late hours again Friday hearing the following agenda of bills. A number of bills focused on firearm policy and public safety, including proposals to modify extreme risk protection orders, increase penalties for transferring firearms to ineligible individuals, and enhance penalties for unlawful possession. Additional proposals would require prompt reporting of lost or stolen firearms and establish clearer statewide processes for firearm prohibitions tied to court orders.

The committee also heard multiple bills related to criminal penalties and system accountability. These included establishing a stand-alone crime for theft of public funds, modifying penalties for fleeing a peace officer, and clarifying penalties for assaulting certain workers such as transit employees. Other proposals aimed to address system-level oversight, including changes to false claims statutes and the creation of additional enforcement or reporting mechanisms tied to fraud and misuse of public dollars.

In the courts and family law space, several bills proposed changes to parenting time determinations, temporary orders, and guardian ad litem participation. These proposals reflect ongoing efforts to refine court processes and clarify standards in family law proceedings.