Minnesota Memo - Minnesota Legislative Update

By Cora Hoffer on
Beige graphic that says "Center for Rural Affairs 2026 Minnesota Memo Legislative Update" with an outline of the state of Minnesota and a photo of the state capitol building
Policy

Minnesota Memo: 2026 legislative session concludes

May 21, 2026

Minnesota’s 94th legislative session concluded on May 17. A divided House and one-seat Democratic majority in the Senate proved difficult to come to bipartisan agreement. Gov. Walz has until May 31 to sign or veto legislation.

The legislature was able to pass a $1.24 billion capital investment bill, which was a high priority for legislators this session. Since this is the second year of the biennium, any legislation that did not pass this year must be reintroduced next year to be considered.

Below is a summary of legislation the Center closely monitored this session. We tracked these bills based on alignment with our legislative priorities.

Final status of bills we were following

SUPPORT - HF 3802 (Rep. Hollins) / SF 3760 (Sen. Frentz): These companion bills exempt certain smaller transmission projects that are upgrading or rebuilding existing transmission lines from the Certificate of Need process at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. At least 80% of the project has to be located along an existing electric line right-of-way. This legislation was approved by the Governor and signed into law on April 21.

SUPPORT - HF 3555 (Rep. Kraft) / SF 3873 (Sens. Kupec and McEwen): These companion bills establish regulations for the installation and operation of household plug-in solar panels that meet strict safety codes. In the Senate, the bill language was amended to SF 4504, an omnibus policy bill which passed the full Senate, but failed to pass through the House and died.

SUPPORT - HF 2103 (Rep. Anderson P. H.) / SF 1710 (Sen. Putnam): These companion bills proposed appropriating $8 million to encourage local investment in fertilizer production that would use curtailed wind energy for production. The language was amended to HF 2433 but failed to pass through either chamber and died.

Click here to read more about other bills we tracked this legislative session and where they ended up.

With elections on the horizon, next year will bring a new class of state leaders, including a Governor, Senators, and Representatives, who will lead a new biennium in 2027.

Thank you for staying engaged in the 2026 legislative session and contacting your representatives! Citizen awareness and participation of our legislature promotes transparency and better ensures that rural communities’ priorities get attention.

If you have questions or comments to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 507.513.8545.

Less than 2 weeks of session remain

May 5, 2026

Legislators continue to work hard to pass bills before session ends on May 18. With a split House and near split Senate, bipartisan support is crucial to push legislation past the finish line.

One success we are celebrating this session was the passage of House File (HF) 3802 / SF 3760, companion bills to streamline the process for upgrading certain existing transmission lines in the state. These were signed into law on April 21.

Take action

  • Contact your Senate representative to support SF 4504, an omnibus policy bill from the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee, which includes a provision for plug-in solar.
  • Track legislation affecting rural communities by following priority bills and staying informed throughout the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker.
  • Continue to let your legislators know how proposed bills may impact your community by calling, emailing, and/or writing them.

What we’re following

SUPPORT - SF 4504 (Sen. Frentz): This is the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee omnibus finance and policy bill.

The bill was heard on April 30 by the Senate Finance Committee. An amendment was adopted to separate the policy and finance provisions of the bill. SF 4504 is now the vehicle for policy-only items, including language originally in SF 3873 (a bill for plug-in solar), and is expected to head to the Senate floor this week.

The remaining finance-related items were amended to HF 2433, which was laid over to consider future amendments. The finance package includes language originally found in SF 1710, a bill appropriating funds from the Renewable Development Account to invest in the study of and establishment of local fertilizer production. Future hearings related to HF 2433 are expected in the Finance Committee.

SUPPORT - HF 3802 (Rep. Hollins) / SF 3760 (Sen. Frentz): These companion bills exempt certain transmission projects that are upgrading or rebuilding existing transmission lines from the Certificate of Need (CON) process at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Projects a capacity of less than 100 kilovolts (kV) to a line with a capacity of 115 kV will be exempt if at least 80% of the project is located along an existing electric line right-of-way.

This legislation was approved by the Governor and signed into law on April 21.

If you have any questions or would like to share the rural issues important to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 507.513.8545.

Senate energy omnibus includes important provisions

April 21, 2026

The legislature passed its third committee deadline on April 17, marking the finalization of omnibus finance bills. Bills can still move after the third committee deadline, though it becomes significantly harder. Session is scheduled to conclude on May 18.

The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee has moved a package of bills and appropriations forward (Senate File [SF] 4504). Included in this package is SF 3873, a bill for plug-in solar, and SF 1710, a bill appropriating funds from the Renewable Development Account to invest in the study of and establishment of local fertilizer production. The bill passed out of committee, and was referred to the Finance Committee.

Take action

  • Contact your Senate representative to support SF 4504, an omnibus policy and appropriations bill from the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate.
  • Contact your representatives on the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee asking for their support on House File (HF) 3555, a bill that would allow for the installation and operation of household plug-in solar panels.
  • Contact your legislators to oppose HF 4290 / SF 4479, companion bills that would allow counties to designate certain agricultural lands as unsuitable for electric power facilities.
  • Track legislation affecting rural communities by following priority bills and staying informed throughout the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker.

What we’re following

OPPOSE - HF 4290 (Rep. Schultz) / SF 4479 (Sen. Kupec): These companion bills allow counties to designate certain agricultural lands as unsuitable for electric power facilities. The bill proposes limiting development on land with a crop productivity index rating of more than 75, or alternatively, land designated as prime farmland.

The Center believes that renewable energy and agriculture does not require an either/or approach. Incorporation of low-impact management or dual-use practices at a solar site can offer opportunities to combine solar and agriculture. This bill could restrict landowners from taking advantage of the economic benefits of solar development and limit their right to decide what is best for their land.

In the Senate, the bill received an informal hearing in the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. During an informal hearing, testimony is heard, but no decisions are made on the bill. It is laid over in the committee for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. In the House, the bill was introduced and assigned to the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, but has not received a hearing.

SUPPORT - HF 2103 (Rep. Anderson P. H.) / SF 1710 (Sen. Putnam): These companion bills appropriate $8 million to encourage local investment in fertilizer production and reduce costs for farm businesses. In addition, they prioritize using energy that would otherwise be curtailed, which can limit renewable energy output and reduce production tax revenue that can be used by counties to support local schools, emergency services, and local infrastructure. These bills were highlighted in our last update.

In the Senate, the bill language was amended onto the energy omnibus bill (SF 4504), which passed out of the Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate committee on April 13 and was referred to the Finance Committee. 

SUPPORT - HF 3555 (Rep. Kraft) / SF 3873 (Sens. Kupec and McEwen): These companion bills establish regulations for the installation and operation of household plug-in solar photovoltaic panels or devices that meet strict safety codes. These bills were highlighted in our last update.

In the Senate, the bill language was amended onto the energy omnibus bill (SF 4504), which passed out of the Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate committee on April 13 and was referred to the Finance Committee. 

If you have any questions or would like to share the rural issues important to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 507.513.8545.

46 days of session remain

April 2, 2026

Last week marked two key legislative deadlines requiring lawmakers to decide which bills would advance out of their respective committees. Any bills that cleared committee remain viable this session. 

Legislators are on the annual Easter/Passover break until April 6. They will face a third and final deadline on April 17, where they must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.

Take action 

What we’re following

SUPPORT - HF 2103 (Rep. Anderson P. H.) / SF 1710 (Sen. Putnam): These companion bills appropriate $8 million to encourage local investment in fertilizer production and reduces costs for farm businesses. In addition, it prioritizes using energy that would otherwise be curtailed, which can limit renewable energy output and reduce production tax revenue that can be used by counties to support local schools, emergency services, and local infrastructure.

The legislation would fund research on renewable-energy-produced hydrogen and ammonia energy systems, identify sites for ammonia production near curtailed energy facilities, develop at least two production facilities, and ensure that production uses renewable energy.

The Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee heard the bill on March 23, where it was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The House bill was introduced to the Energy Finance and Policy Committee, but because no hearing was scheduled before the committee deadline, the House version of the bill is dead.

SUPPORT - HF 3802 (Rep. Hollins) / SF 3760 (Sen. Frentz): These companion bills would exempt certain transmission projects from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Certificate of Need (CON) process. The exemption would apply to projects that upgrade or rebuild existing transmission lines with a capacity of less than 100 kilovolts (kV) to a line with a capacity of 115 kV, if at least 80% of the project is located along an existing electric line right-of-way. These are strips of land that an electric utility uses to construct, maintain, or repair a power line. 

The House bill passed on March 23. The Senate bill received its second reading on March 18, then has been referred to the Rules and Administration Committee for comparison with its House companion bill. After bills are compared, if they are identical, the Senate file is typically substituted for the House file, and the House file is withdrawn. If differences exist, a conference committee brings select House and Senate members together to reconcile the versions before final passage.

SUPPORT - HF 3555 (Rep. Kraft) / SF 3873 (Sens. Kupec and McEwen): These companion bills establish regulations for the installation and operation of household plug-in solar photovoltaic panels or devices that meet strict safety codes.

These bills were laid over in their respective House and Senate committees, which means they are still viable and could be added to a larger omnibus bill.

If you have any questions or would like to share the rural issues important to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 507.513.8545.

First and second deadlines near

March 20, 2026

The fifth week of legislative session concludes today. In just one week, legislators will be faced with two deadlines, both with a March 27 due date.

  • First deadline: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin.
  • Second deadline: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body. 

If a committee does not make a decision on a bill by the deadline, the bill remains in that committee's possession and expires when the session ends. In addition, the annual Easter/Passover break is scheduled to begin on March 27 and end April 7.

Take Action

  • Contact your representatives on the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee & Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate asking for their support on HF 3555 / SF 3873, companion bills that would allow for the installation and operation of household plug-in solar panels.
  • Contact your House and Senate representatives to support HF 3802 / SF 3760, companion bills that would streamline the process for upgrading certain existing transmission lines in the state.
  • Track legislation affecting rural communities by following priority bills and staying informed throughout the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker.
  • Continue to let your representative and senator know how proposed bills may impact your community by calling, emailing, and/or writing them.

What we’re following

SUPPORT - HF 3555 (Rep. Kraft) / SF 3873 (Sens. Kupec and McEwen): These companion bills establish regulations for the installation and operation of plug-in solar photovoltaic devices that meet strict safety codes. We highlighted these bills below.

In the House, the Energy Finance and Policy Committee heard the bill on Feb. 24 and laid it over. When a committee "lays over" a bill, it is temporarily postponed, typically for future consideration or inclusion in a larger "omnibus bill." The bill remains in the committee's possession, allowing for further revisions, public testimony, or negotiation without a final vote on whether to move it to the floor.

In the Senate, the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee heard the bill on March 16, where it was laid over.

SUPPORT - HF 3802 (Rep. Hollins) / SF 3760 (Sen. Frentz): These companion bills exempt transmission projects that are upgrading or rebuilding existing transmission lines with a capacity of less than 100 kilovolts (kV) to a line with a capacity of 115 kV from the Certificate of Need (CON) process at the MN Public Utilities Commission, if at least 80% of the project is located along an existing electric line right-of-way.

Currently, all transmission projects are required to go through the CON process, which takes about a year. This exemption will help streamline the transmission permitting process and help maintain grid reliability and flexibility by increasing the grid's capacity to move electricity in a timely manner. The proposed bill does not impact the route permitting process, which would maintain the opportunity for public input.

The House Energy Finance and Policy Committee heard the bill on March 5, where the bill was referred to the General Register, awaiting potential action by the full House. The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee heard the bill on March 16, where it was recommended to pass and sent to the Senate Floor.

If you have any questions or would like to share the rural issues important to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 507.513.8545.

Week three concludes

March 6, 2026

As week three of Minnesota’s legislative session concludes, we have seen 574 bills in the House and 528 bills in the Senate be introduced. 

Those are on top of the near 6,900 that were introduced last year, which was the first half of the current biennium. Of those, bills that remained on the General Orders, Consent Calendar, or General Register at the end of the first year of the biennium are still considered alive. 

The Center for Rural Affairs continues to monitor policies that affect the rural quality of life and intersect with our goal of building vibrant rural communities.

Take Action

  • Contact your representatives on the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee asking for their support on HF 3555, a bill that would allow for the installation and operation of household plug-in solar panels.
  • Track legislation affecting rural communities by following priority bills and staying informed throughout the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker.
  • Continue to let your representative and senator know how proposed bills may impact your community by calling, emailing, and/or writing them.

What we’re following

SUPPORT - HF 3555 (Rep. Kraft) / SF 3873 (Sens. Kupec and McEwen): These companion bills establish regulations for the installation and operation of plug-in solar photovoltaic devices that meet strict safety codes. Plug-in solar systems are portable solar systems that can be set outside a home and then safely plugged into an outlet. Once plugged in, the solar electricity immediately flows through the home to power appliances and lights, thereby reducing the amount of electricity a consumer would otherwise buy from the utility. The proposed legislation would eliminate barriers for adopting plug-in solar, allowing Minnesotans in all housing types to cut a portion of their energy bills. 

These bills are just two of many being introduced across the country to foster a nationwide marketplace. The bill was introduced and laid over in the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee. Future hearings for these bills have not yet been scheduled.

If you have any questions or would like to share the rural issues important to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 507.513.8545.

2026 “non-budget” year kicks off

Feb. 20, 2026

The second year of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature gaveled in on Feb. 17. It is a "non-budget" year (following the 2025 biennium budget passage), typically focused on bonding, or capital investments, and election-year issues. Session is scheduled to run until May 18.

The Center for Rural Affairs will be tracking policies that affect the rural quality of life and intersect with our goal of building vibrant rural communities. Our monitoring will include:

Energy and environment: With wind and solar projects on the rise in Minnesota, we support renewable energy siting standards that encourage development but also take into account the needs and concerns of communities.

Economic and community development: We are committed to ensuring that rural communities have every opportunity to thrive. We support policies that help provide small businesses and rural families the tools and services they require for success.

What can you do?

  • Track legislation that affects rural communities by following priority bills and staying informed throughout the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker.
  • Contact your state legislators and share your perspective by calling, emailing, or writing to let them know how proposed bills impact your community. In addition, subscribe to your state legislators newsletter to receive insights on policy initiatives and opportunities for civic engagement.
  • Participate in public hearings or submit written testimony at the Minnesota State Capitol or online on issues that matter most to you. Email addresses can be found here by clicking on the specific committee within the House or Senate.

We look forward to communicating with you during the legislative session and welcome your input. Feel free to be in touch about issues you feel are important to rural communities. I can be reached at [email protected] or 507.513.8545.