Legislative Update – June 23, 2026

Legislative Update -

Dear neighbors,

Here’s what to know about this week:

2026 Veterans Bill

One bright spot during this year's divided legislative session was our work to support Minnesota veterans, service members, and their families.

The Veterans and Military Affairs supplemental budget bill included several important provisions, including long-overdue recognition for Hmong veterans who served alongside the United States during the Secret War in Laos. This legislation allows Minnesota to formally recognize these veterans and honor their sacrifices after decades of advocacy from the Hmong community.

We also increased state active-duty pay for National Guard members called upon during emergencies, ensuring those who serve Minnesota in times of crisis receive fair compensation. In addition, we expanded eligibility for burial in Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries to include certain National Guard members and reservists who may not meet the federal definition of a veteran but nevertheless served our state honorably.

Other measures approved this session strengthen oversight of veterans grant programs, expand educational benefits for the families of veterans who are missing in action or prisoners of war, and allow the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to work more closely with community organizations addressing veteran homelessness, food insecurity, mental health challenges, and suicide prevention.

These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring Minnesota veterans and military families receive the recognition, support, and services they have earned through their service to our state and nation.

Pollinator Week

It’s Pollinator Week here in Minnesota! As you likely know, I’ve devoted a significant part of my political career to enhancing protection for these critical workers for our shared environment. In Minnesota we’ve taken strong action to help our pollinator friends. While there’s always more to do I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished:

• Lawns to Legumes continues to transform lawns across our state! By switching over to pollinator gardens from turf laws we are making every neighborhood biodiverse and healthy for all pollinators! Watch a fun documentary on this program here.
• In 2019 we designated the Rust Patch Bumble Bee as our state bee. This endangered species is a critical pollinator that we must protect. Learn how you can help here.
• We have put hundreds of thousands of dollars into groundbreaking research for pollinators through the state LCCMR program. This means we are learning more about pollinators and how best to help them recover. Learn about various projects and how to apply for funds here.
• The U of M Bee Lab continues to lead the way in bee research across the globe. The Legislature played a key role in funding this critical research and I’m proud to have supported it. They have a whole lot of valuable resources like choosing “slow mow” summer over “no mow May.” Learn about that here.
• The DHS is taking stronger enforcement action on pesticide spray drift which is when improperly applied pesticides cause harm to nearby land. Haphazard application of pesticides is a leading cause of pollinator destruction. Spray drift resources can be found here.

Funding to Replace Lead Lines

I’m pleased to report that nearly $3.5 million has been awarded to South Saint Paul to replace 1,040 lead service lines. This funding comes from federal and state sources and is critical as we work to remove lead from our water systems!

Kaposia Days

As a reminder, Kaposia Days is next weekend, from June 25-28. Whether it’s the parade, bingo, fireworks, or the pancake breakfast, there are so many great events happening in South Saint Paul that weekend.

You can find more information about the event on their website or Facebook page. I’ll be there throughout the weekend’s festivities, and I hope to see you there too.

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