Week in Review Feb. 16-20

Phew, we made it to the end of the first legislative week.

The House began the 2026 session Tuesday with a somber remembrance of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids), House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul), along with Gov. Tim Walz, shared their memories of the late leader before the full legislative body. Legislators then placed a flower on Hortman’s desk as they proceeded out of the chamber.

Regular session activity began on Wednesday with both parties hitting the ground running with their priority bills.

A DFL-backed bill to prohibit federal immigration officers from entering schools unless certain criteria are met failed on a tie vote along party lines Wednesday. A dispute in the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee Thursday on a bill to establish an Office of the Inspector General spilled over into the floor session later in the day, concluding in a failed vote on Republicans’ attempt to suspend the rules to take up the bill.

Enjoy the weekend before a full legislative week begins on Monday. Here’s a look back at the week:

BONDING

House Capital Investment Committee previews governor’s $907 million bonding recommendation

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18876

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Claims from scam victims coming in for new restitution fund

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18869

Panel hears bill to ban AI denials of health insurance prior authorizations

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18878

Victims ask lawmakers to ban nudification technology for photos

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18880

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Fallout from federal action having statewide economic impact

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18882

EDUCATION

Educators detail impact of Operation Metro Surge on students, schools

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18881

EMPLOYMENT

Idea to extend unemployment benefits to Iron Range workers advances through workforce committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18870

ENERGY

Energy panel hears the reasons for the rising price of power

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18884

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Environment panel debates upcoming deadline on banning ‘forever chemicals’

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18885

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Bill to add Minnesota to Nurse Licensure Compact fails along party lines

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18871

Department of Human Services official talks program integrity updates

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18877

HIGHER EDUCATION

Lawmakers hear recommendations to exorcise ‘ghost students’ from college, universities

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18883

HOUSING

Bill to formally end housing stabilization services program gets panel OK

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18868

Proposal for emergency rental aid stalls in housing committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18875

STATE GOVERNMENT

Proposed DFL legislation to take aim at ICE tactics and accountability

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18865

Republican leaders say fraud, affordability remain priorities in 2026

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18866

Melissa Hortman remembered for leadership, legislation as House speaker

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18867

Debate on when to vote derails potential new-look Office of Inspector General bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18879

TRANSPORTATION

Panel addresses the metro’s most expensive transit routes

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18872