Minnesota Legislature
Week in Review: Feb. 17-21
By Lisa Kaczke
Lawmakers debated, rejected and tabled their first bill on the House Floor this week. HF20 would make data collected by the attorney general’s office classified as private only if it were truly data “on individuals.” After it failed to receive the 68 votes needed to pass, a motion to reconsider the bill prevailed and the bill was then tabled on a split-voice vote.
Crowds showed up to testify in several committee hearings this week. It was standing room only in the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday when a bill to ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports in Minnesota was sent to the House Floor on a party-line vote.
Have a restful weekend before another busy week next week.
Here’s a look back at what happened over the last few days.
Recent Dailies
Commerce officials review budget needs for upcoming biennium
By Lisa Kaczke Many of the proposed changes to the Department of Commerce’s budget for the 2026-27 biennium are expected to be cost-neutral. Commissioner Grace Arnold walked the House Comm...Legion halls across Minnesota could face closure without relief, House panel hears
By Mike Cook Many American Legions across the state, including in Coon Rapids, Marshall, Northfield, Stillwater and Waite Park, have had to sell their post to survive. More may not be fa...Property tax relief could increase for some veterans with disabilities
By Mike Cook
A veteran close to dying is fearful his spouse will not be able to keep their longtime home that was purchased when he returned from Vietnam.
“It’s where they raised their f...
Wide-ranging crime bill would boost penalties, establish new crimes
By Tim Walker A plethora of changes could be coming to public safety laws, including identifying new crimes and increasing penalties for existing crimes. HF7 would boost penalties on sex ...Walz budget proposes education funding cuts amid predicted deficit
By Brian Basham
Education Commissioner Willie Jett asked the House Education Finance Committee an important question Tuesday.
“How do we maintain our priorities to fund Minnesota’s public e...
Energy committee approves measure lifting MN nuclear moratorium, delaying renewable standards
By Rob Hubbard Rep. Chris Swedzinski (R-Ghent) is clearly not happy with the direction of state energy policy over the past few years. That’s why he’s sponsoring HF9. “House File 9 is real...House higher ed panel OKs bill to restrict state aid for undocumented immigrants
By Todd Abeln
A plan to prohibit immigrants living illegally in the United States from accessing several state programs is moving forward, despite some lawmakers’ concerns there wasn’t enough...
Should state's constitution be amended to return budget surpluses to taxpayers?
By Rob Hubbard
While economic forecasts have state budget surpluses shrinking by the year, some legislators nevertheless argue that being in the black means that taxpayers should be getting so...
Stronger protections proposed for state employees reporting waste, fraud
By Mike Cook Current state statute provides protections for so-called “whistleblowers” who report a violation or suspected violation of law or refuse to participate in an activity they belie...Taxes committee approves expanded exemption for baby products
By Rob Hubbard Hey, baby. Did you know that pacifier in your mouth was a tax-free purchase while those wipes your caregivers use during a diaper change require a little extra money to be sent ...Session Daily Home
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Full House convenes for first time in 2025, elects Demuth speaker
By Tim Walker
DFL, Republicans convene with a quorum for the first time in 2025 session after agreeing to a power-sharing deal.
Walz proposes slimmed-down 2026-27 state budget, sales tax changes
By Tim Walker
This is an odd-numbered year, and so the Legislature is constitutionally required to craft a budget to fund the state government for the next two fiscal years.
Gov. Tim Walz...
