Stable budget outlook projects $3.7 billion surplus now, no deficit in next biennium
The projected surplus for Fiscal Years 2026-27 is now higher than it was in the November estimate, and no deficit is projected for the next biennium.
“Minnesota’s budget outlook has improved amid significant near-term economic and fiscal uncertainty,” according to the February forecast released Friday by Minnesota Management and Budget.
The 2026-27 biennium projected balance is now $3.7 billion, $1.3 billion higher than November estimates. “A slightly improved economic outlook drives a higher revenue forecast largely driven by more volatile sources of revenue,” according to MMB.
However, spending growth is forecast to outpace revenue growth in the projections through Fiscal Year 2029. The projected General Fund balance for the 2028-29 biennium is now $377 million, but “a significant structural imbalance remains. Shifting policies at the federal level and missing or incomplete data due to recent federal government shutdowns introduce significant uncertainty to the projections,” according to MMB.
Read more at Session Daily.
Session Daily
Week in Review: March 2-6 (3/6/2026 12:09:00 PM) Rural utilities with large-scale users could avoid ECO requirements (3/5/2026 5:07:00 PM) Courts ask for $4.8 million to fund extra security, employer paid leave obligations (3/5/2026 4:59:00 PM) Safe schools funding increase sought for first time in 13 years (3/5/2026 4:19:00 PM) Taxes committee considers creating property tax task force (3/5/2026 3:17:00 PM) Porcupines and bonding and reps, oh my! (3/5/2026 1:06:00 PM) No banning permit to carry holders from having firearm in Capitol Complex (3/5/2026 12:39:00 PM) Commerce committee looks ahead to reinsurance’s future with bill extension (3/5/2026 12:29:00 PM) Public safety panel advances bill modifying rules on Brady-Giglio designations (3/4/2026 6:54:00 PM) Bill aims to curb private equity purchases of single-family homes (3/4/2026 6:19:00 PM) Limiting federal law enforcement access to child care facilities fails along party lines (3/4/2026 6:11:00 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 8:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
Director of Program Integrity presentation.
Periodic data matching reporting requirements.
House Ways and Means Committee
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 10:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
Modernization of state human services technology systems overview and presentations.
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3919 (Cha) Benefits available to veterans of the Secret War in Laos modified, commissioner of veterans affairs directed to establish an eligibility process, and technical changes made.
HF1335 (Tabke) Electronic drivers' licenses authorized, and rulemaking authorized.
HF3864 (Luger-Nikolai) Requirements for validation sticker display on license plates eliminated, and conforming and technical changes made.
HF3916 (Luger-Nikolai) Use of a transponder in aircraft flight required.
HF3728 (Koegel) Requirements on trunk highway system maintenance and expansion established, including to limit trunk highway capacity expansion projects in certain circumstances and to require transportation asset management plans; and technical changes made.
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF2185 (Witte) Flag display residential property rights limits prohibited.
HF1849 (Gordon) Term limits provided for governor and lieutenant governor, and constitutional amendment proposed.
HF3719 (Gordon) Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board required to conduct a study and administer a pilot project related to the use of the campaign finance reporting software by local candidates, and report required.
HF3721 (Altendorf) Student voter registration requirements modified for postsecondary institutions.
HF3845 (Quam) Certain voters who register on election day required to cast provisional ballots, and conforming changes made.
HF3720 (Quam) Eligibility requirements for caucus participation reinstated.
House Health Finance and Policy Committee
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3454 (Hanson) Requirements for the use of social work titles modified.
HF3917 (Mahamoud) Medication repository program procedures modified.
HF2906 (Smith) Psilocybin therapeutic use program established; protections for registered patients, designated cultivators, registered facilitators, and health care practitioners established; rulemaking authorized; civil actions authorized; fees established; advisory council established; and money appropriated.
HF3832 (Zeleznikar) Definition of compounding of a drug amended to exempt the use of a flavoring agent.
HF3769 (Curran) Multiple levels of substance abuse care provided by the commissioner of corrections clarified in law, access to mental health unit beds for incarcerated persons expanded, and mandatory tuberculosis screening in correctional facilities clarified.
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Agriculture Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer Grant Program presentation.
University of Minnesota presentation: Forever Green Initiative.
HF3692 (Smith) Farmer-Lender Mediation Act extended.
Session Daily Update
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 3:25 PM
Watch: Live Event
Updates from the House.
House Floor Session
Monday, March 9 2026 3/9/2026 3:30 PM
Watch: Live Event
House Floor Session.
News and Notes
Bill Introductions: HF3923-HF4046
2026 Legislative Session
The 2026 legislative session must conclude by May 18.
Committee deadlines
First and second: March 27 at 5 p.m.: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin and committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body.
Third: April 17 at 5 p.m.: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.
Members not seeking re-election
The Legislative Reference Library maintains a list of members who are retiring or seeking other offices.
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