Legislative Update – April 1, 2026
Dear neighbors,
We’ve reached the halfway point of the 2026 Legislative Session. This week’s Easter/Passover break gives us an opportunity to look back at what we’ve done so far and prepare for the final sprint before our adjournment date on May 18.
Work in committees is wrapping up as we try to get bills ready to pass on the House Floor. This week I’ve been meeting with members of the Capital Investment Committee as we craft a bonding bill that invests in local infrastructure across the state.
Human Health over Corporate Profits
This week, I signed onto an amicus brief for the U.S. Supreme Court case of Monsanto v. Durnell, a major case on whether Monsanto has a duty to warn its customers of an increased cancer risk from the Roundup herbicide.
The decision could have far-reaching impacts on whether federal laws on pesticides pre-empt state-level laws. That means federal action could erase laws we’ve passed here in Minnesota to protect public health, like the laws we passed in 2023 to ban neonicotinoids and chlorpyrifos on state lands.
It would also threaten bills we’re trying to pass this session, like a ban on paraquat, which has been linked to increases in Parkinson’s rates and is banned by 70 countries around the world. You can read here a Star Tribune commentary by my colleague Rep. Tabke on the need to pass a paraquat ban.
Big Ag is fighting this bill just like they’re fighting in the Supreme Court because they don’t want to put human health over their own profits. We’ll continue working in Minnesota to protect our water, land, and people from harmful chemicals.
Protecting Kids at School
Last Thursday, the House voted on legislation to keep ICE out of schools. This policy was the norm during previous administrations, including the first Trump term, but during Operation Metro Surge we saw our schools targeted, leaving students teachers, and parents fearful and calling on their legislators to act. You can watch our Education Policy co-chair Sydney Jordan’s comments on the bill here.
When we brought the bill forward in committee, House Republicans blocked it. The motion we put forward on the floor was an opportunity for Republicans to show they take the issue seriously and put humanity over politics. Unfortunately, they continued to vote lockstep against it
Our kids deserve to go to school without the fear of federal agents terrorizing their classmates. We’ll continue to use every tool we have to pass this bill and protect Minnesotans.
Stay in Touch!
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-6828.
For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative