Legislative Session Begins
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Minnesota Legislature gaveled in and kicked off the 2026 legislative session. They met in an uncommon joint session to memorize the late Speaker Emerita, Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark following their murder last June. Legislators also honored Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) who survived an assassination attempt that same evening and recognized the unexpected passing of Sen. Bruce Anderson last fall. No legislative committees met on Tuesday in recognition of the tribute to Rep. Hortman and Sen. Hoffman.
However, the next day legislative activity kicked off in full force with committees hearing reports from state agencies, 2025 legislative implementation update, and recommendations from the governor related to a capital investment proposal. As the week progressed, two clear themes emerged as primary topics of discussion. Republican legislators continued their push for greater program integrity and fraud-prevention matters with multiple bills that would create a new, independent Office of the Inspector General being discussed in committee and on the floor of the House of Representatives. At the same time, Democrats introduced and began holding hearings on nearly a dozen bills that would seek to prohibit certain immigration enforcement activities or create new forms of civil liability for federal agents in response to recent federal activities in Minnesota.
The Week Ahead
As the legislature heads into its second week of session, committee hearings are in full swing. Committees in both chambers are expected to continue to hear overviews and presentations from state departments this week. However, some committees have already pivoted to hearing high profile legislation, including:
Important Dates
Deadlines are as follows:
Legislative leaders also announced the schedule for legislative breaks, including:
The legislature must adjourn no later than midnight on May 18, 2026.
