Legislative Update – June 11, 2026

Legislative Update - June 11, 2026

Dear neighbors,

Our community, state, and country are still deep in grief and mourning after the loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman, whose lives were taken in a senseless act of political violence one year ago this Sunday. 

Melissa was a force for good in Minnesota, working with Senator Kari Dziedzic in dedicating their careers to improving the lives of her neighbors and people she would never meet. Mark Hortman was an amazing person and always supportive of Melissa, and you can read more about his life here. It’s hard to believe all three are gone.

I was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004, the same year as Melissa. I served alongside her for over 20 years as she became the most consequential Speaker in Minnesota history. 

In remembrance of Mark, Melissa, and Gilbert, and to honor John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman, I’ll be lighting a candle at dusk Sunday. I hope you’ll join me.

Melissa’s legacy also includes the trees that dot the Capitol complex—including some she even planted herself. Melissa loved trees, and I'm forever grateful that when I served as Environment Committee Chair, we worked to pass the largest investment in the environment in state history, including huge investments in tree planting at the Capitol, in our state parks, and across Minnesota. 

In the Community

During the legislative interim, I’ve been spending the bulk of my time in the community. Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Newport Mayor Laurie Elliott and City Administrator Joe Hatch to discuss the 2026 legislative session.

This week I also joined fellow legislators from Minnesota and Wisconsin, the DNR of both states, Army Corps of Engineers, and local conservation leaders for a pontoon tour of Lake Pepin hosted in partnership with the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance and view constructed artificial islands. The event provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about the challenges facing Lake Pepin and the broader Upper Mississippi River watershed. Protecting our rivers, lakes, and wildlife habitat requires collaboration across state lines and communities.

This tour underscored the importance of continued investment in the local and regional systems that keep Minnesota communities strong. Across our state, more than 600 special districts help provide essential services including clean water, transportation, public safety, housing, and public health. These investments matter; special districts play a vital role in communities large and small. It's important that we continue to support smart, accountable investments that strengthen local services and protect Minnesota’s natural resources.

Screwworm Detected

For the first time since 1966, Screwworm, a devastating livestock pest once eradicated from the United States, has been detected again. This parasite infests cattle, wildlife, pets, and other animals, causing severe injury, even death.

Protecting our food supply and agricultural economy requires competent government, strong scientific expertise, and robust monitoring systems. Unfortunately, years of attacks on the public workforce, cuts to agency capacity, and a group of unqualified federal appointees have weakened confidence in the federal government's ability to respond to emerging threats before they become crises.

States cannot afford to sit back. Minnesota has been working with livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, and wildlife managers to strengthen preparedness, improve surveillance, and ensure rapid response plans are in place should Screwworm move northward.

Minnesota farmers, processors, and consumers deserve proactive planning, science-based decision-making, and the resources necessary to protect their livelihoods.

Government has a responsibility to protect our natural resources and the wildlife that depend on them. The federal government is failing. But as I found during last week’s NCSL Wildlife Tour in Colorado, states are investing in wildlife connectivity projects that help animals move safely across landscapes while reducing conflicts with people and transportation infrastructure.

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