Below are highlights from this year’s legislative session which adjourned Sunday, May 19 at midnight. The Legislature will convene for the 2025 session at noon on Tuesday, January 14.

 

Taxes Committee Highlights:

Conferees on the 2024 Tax bill (HF5247 – Representative Gomez and Senator Rest) met to resolve differences between the two bills. Unlike most other conference committees, Tax conferees meet in public although private discussions also took place. Although many provisions were acceptable, there was wide disagreement on others. The final language found here in the H.F. 5247 – A24 amendment included proposals offered by the Senate to the House concerning  Minnesota’s Child Tax Credit creating a permanent safety net for taxpayers who opt to take advantage of the advanced payment program. The Senate also urged the inclusion of proposals that made investments in Iron Range cities. Additional funding for taxpayer outreach and taxpayer grants were included as well as taxpayer assistance grants. The conferees also accepted policy provisions relating to tax-forfeited lands and the managerial compensation plan for a class of state employees. The bill was signed by Governor Walz. (Chapter 127)

​

The following bills were included in the Taxes Conference Committee report but also passed separately. (Note: only Senate authors are named below. When the House passes a bill first, the Senate file is set aside and the conference committee report is only known by the House File number. The same procedure is followed when the Senate passes a bill first.) Click on the links provided to read the language of the individual bills:

 

Higher Education Omnibus Bill (Chapter 124):

S.F. 5326, authored by Senator Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis), ensures the Office of Higher Education can deliver financial aid awards to students and adds funding for new childcare options on campuses as well as preserves grants for foster children attending college. 

 

Human Services Policy Bill (Chapter 125):

S.F. 4399, authored by Senator John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin), makes improvements to disability services across the state and requires nursing homes to report how they use Medicaid reimbursement dollars for resident care.

 

Agriculture and Energy Omnibus Bill (Chapter 126):

Senator Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato) authored S.F. 4942 addressing Minnesotans’ energy costs while working toward 100 % clean energy by 2040. A bill authored by Senator Rest includes a provision for a $250,000 grant from the RDA to produce ultra-efficient vehicles. The proposal was brought to her by a Golden Valley resident and inventor. The agriculture provisions renewed the state’s commitment to Minnesota farmers, funding the Farm to School Program and addressing contamination in Southeast Minnesota. Senator Westlin’s Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act was also included in the Energy and Agriculture Omnibus Bill and gives consumers control over how companies can acquire and use their data.

                                      

The following conference committee reports did not pass both bodies independently and were included in the Conference Committee Report for H.F. 5247:

 

Transportation Omnibus Bill:

Senator Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) authored H.F. 5242, which includes the agreement to keep Uber and Lyft in Minnesota while increasing driver pay by 20%. Funding is also allocated for affordable housing and small businesses in communities along the Blue Line LRT and helps counties, cities, and townships with road infrastructure needs. The bill disallows both the Southwest LRT and the Blue Line Extension from receiving funds from the transit tax and redefines the relationship between the Department of Transportation and Met Council concerning the Blue Line Extension.

 

Health and Human Services Appropriations and Policy Bill:

Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) authored S.F. 4699 which increases mental health reimbursement rates and expands health coverage to include wigs for cancer patients, prosthetics, and treatment for sickle cell disease.

 

Paid Family Medical Leave:

H.F. 5363, authored by Senator Alice Mann (DFL-Edina), made modifications to the Paid Family Medical Leave law passed last year to ensure the program is ready to launch in 2026.  The program will now be referred to as the” Paid Leave Policy.” 

 

Straw Purchases/Binary Triggers Ban:

Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL-Vadnais Heights) authored H.F. 2609 strengthening penalties for straw purchases and outlawing binary triggers for guns.

                             

The following conference committee reports were passed during the last three days of the legislative session:

 

Education Finance Omnibus Bill (Chapter 115):

H.F. 5237 authored by Senator Kunesh (DFL-New Brighton) created 5,200 more voluntary pre-K spots for Minnesota’s youngest learners and passed teacher curriculum to improve literacy rates. The bill also prohibits book bans and establishes training protocols for school resource officers.

 

EMS Funding (Chapter 122):

H.F. 4738, a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) and Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) will provide $30 million in funding for EMS systems across greater Minnesota. This legislation will help address the critical need for ambulance services.

 

Judiciary and Public Safety Omnibus Bill (Chapter 123): 

Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) authored H.F. 5216, increasing investments in cybersecurity and Minnesota’s judicial system. It also includes pay raises for corrections officers and court translators, as well as measures to prevent copper wire theft.

 

Consumer Protection Legislation:

The legislature passed multiple consumer protection-oriented bills this session. Senator Lindsey Port authored H.F. 3438 (Chapter 111) which will protect consumers from hidden fees. Senator Klein authored  H.F. 1989 (Chapter 94) which ends deceptive practices in online ticket marketplaces.

 

Environment Finance Omnibus Bill (Chapter 116): 

H.F. 3911, authored by Senator Foung Hawj (DFL-Saint Paul), allocates funding for the Department of Natural Resources and establishes the Packaging Waste & Cost Reduction Act, to collect, recycle, and reuse packaging and paper products.

 

Elections Omnibus Bill (Chapter 112):

Senator Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan) authored H.F. 4772 which provides funding for local election administration and expands deepfake protections to keep Minnesota’s elections fair and transparent.