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
Transportation panel discusses, holds over expanded security for legislators, others (3/2/2026 4:38:00 PM) No harvester hijinks; panel lays over bill to raise penalties for intentionally damaging farm machinery and equipment (3/2/2026 4:13:00 PM) Proposed gun violence prevention office gets hearing, no action (3/2/2026 3:48:00 PM) House panel approves bill limiting local governments from mandating HOAs (3/2/2026 3:41:00 PM) Week in Review: Feb. 23-27 (2/27/2026 3:24:00 PM) Stable budget outlook projects $3.7 billion surplus now, no deficit in next biennium (2/27/2026 9:44:00 AM) More fishing lines per angler is under consideration to lure more young Minnesotans into the sport (2/26/2026 4:12:00 PM) Law enforcement asks legislators to ban cryptocurrency kiosks to curb scams (2/26/2026 4:07:00 PM) Tax credits go under the microscope in commission report (2/26/2026 3:19:00 PM) Bill aims to expand attorney general’s power to prosecute Medicaid fraud (2/26/2026 2:40:00 PM) Judiciary panel hears pros and cons of changing laws on private data in property tax assessments (2/26/2026 1:54:00 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 10:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
HF3661 (Gomez) Acquisition and use of facial recognition technology by government entities prohibited.
HF2380 (Hicks) Discrimination based on disability status prohibited.
HF3468 (Huot) Civil action against a person for failure to render aid in certain circumstances permitted.
HF3483 (Feist) Trespass offenses modified to require a warrant signed by a judicial officer for immigration enforcement, and detention of persons subject to civil immigration detainers issued by the federal government prohibited.
House Capital Investment Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 10:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
Presentation: PFAS Chemicals Up Close and Personal
House Taxes Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 10:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
HF3127 (Davids) Expiration of the pass-through entity tax modified.
HF3524 (Robbins) Federal individual income tax deduction for qualified overtime compensation adopted.
HF3525 (Robbins) Federal individual income tax deduction for qualified tip income adopted.
HF3754 (Joy) Internal Revenue Code conformed to the federal exclusion from gross income for employer contributions to Trump accounts.
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3426 (Jordan) Funding provided from environment and natural resources trust fund, and prior appropriations extended.
HF3428 (Jordan) Requirement for commissioner approval of certain land acquisitions repealed.
House Education Finance Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Department of Education overview: organization and funding.
Perpich Center for Arts Education overview: program activities and funding.
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Chair remarks (if necessary).
Minnesota State:.
- Ghost students.
- Bemidji State University storm damage.
- Minnesota State bonding request.
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3556 (Acomb) Community solar garden program named for Melissa Hortman.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency presentations.
Rep. Nolan West Press Conference
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 2:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Presenting “Harvey’s Law” legislation.
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 3:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3902 (Igo) Eligible recipients for Minnesota housing tax credit contributions modified, and credit sunset repealed.
HF3895 (Igo) Zoning authority of local governments over certain housing types limited.
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 3:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3768 (Curran) Department of Corrections licensed juvenile and adult community-based residential correctional facilities responsibilities clarified.
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.
HF3405 (Moller) Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Use of Force Investigations Unit required to conduct investigations of incidents involving federal agents.
HF3413 (Hollins) State, county, and local government units prohibited from entering into certain immigration enforcement agreements; and termination of certain existing immigration enforcement agreements required.
HF3465 (Liebling) Enhanced penalties for theft from a vulnerable adult established.
HF3771 (Johnson, P.) Reporting date on the disaster assistance contingency account.
House Education Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 3:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board overviews:.
- Educator licensing.
- Current and anticipated rulemaking.
- Teacher preparation program.
HF3635 (Hill) Interstate teacher mobility compact established.
HF3638 (Hill) Provisions for educator licensing and standards modified, rulemaking authority for paraprofessional credentials modified, additional data sharing agreements provided, professional development requirements for mental health modified, and appropriation extended.
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 3 2026 3/3/2026 3:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3542 (Hudson) Disclosure of certain investigations and withholding of payments required within 30 days of a request.
HF3819 (West) Licensing inspection requirements for child care providers modified, program integrity requirements for child care assistance program established, and report required.
THURSDAY: Session Daily Update
Thursday, March 5 2026 3/5/2026 3:25 PM
Watch: Live Event
Updates from the House.
THURSDAY: House Floor Session
Thursday, March 5 2026 3/5/2026 3:30 PM
Watch: Live Event
House Floor Session
News and Notes
Bill Introductions: HF3814-HF3922
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
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