Legislative Update – May 22, 2026
Dear neighbors,
The 2026 Legislative Session came to an end this week, and I'm proud of the work we accomplished in a tied House to help our hospitals, deliver property tax cuts, protect taxpayer dollars, get much-needed compensatory aid funding to schools in our district, and invest in local jobs and infrastructure projects.
In a tied House, with 67 DFLers and 67 Republicans, there was always bound to be some compromise and some disappointment. As your legislator, I worked to find compromise wherever possible without jeopardizing our core values.
We successfully passed solutions to combat and prevent fraud, protecting Minnesotans' state dollars and keeping them out of criminals' hands. We also provided funding to stabilize Hennepin County Medical Center, the state’s largest safety net hospital, which serves patients from across the state.
In a tied House, we came together to act on many good proposals that found support across the aisle. This term, I worked on bipartisan suicide prevention measures alongside SAVE and constituent MJ Weiss. We funded suicide prevention barriers for the Washington Ave Bridge and passed a long-term plan for future prevention measures.
I’m glad to report that we passed a significant Local Jobs and Infrastructure package, and as a member of the Capitol Investment Committee, I worked hard to ensure we got it done. It’s the first time we’ve successfully passed a bonding bill in a bonding year since before 2020. You can watch my comments about the bill here.
We secured $4.125 million for the South St. Paul pool project, $4 million for inflow and infiltration work in Newport, $2.25 million for a public works building in South St. Paul, $400,000 to help St. Paul Park with design and pre-design to fix the interchange at Trunk Highway 10 and 61, and $300,000 for improvements and signage on the Heroes and Heritage Trail in Dakota County.
It’s a big win for our district, and I was proud to vote ‘Yes’ on this package that will update our infrastructure, create new jobs, and help people across the state of Minnesota.
Despite the challenge of an even partisan split in the House, my DFL colleagues and I worked every day to make life better for Minnesotans. We fought for bills that take on corporate and monopoly power and lower the cost of groceries, energy, health care, and child care.
I authored legislation to stop vertical integration in the meat industry and make polluters pay for the cleanup caused by their actions. We also proposed bills stopping unfair practices such as surveillance pricing that hurt consumers and taking on the insurance industry to lower health care costs.
In the Minnesota Senate, DFLers took action on many of these priorities, but House Republicans refused to join us. Whether it was standing up to Trump, lobbyists in the Capitol, or the billionaires who are doing better than ever, Republicans failed to meet the moment.
In Minnesota, you should be able to afford your life, and I will continue standing up for Minnesotans. I’m committed now more than ever to building a future where hard work is rewarded, families have a real chance to get ahead, and communities can thrive.
With Senator John Hoffman on the last day of session!
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