Legislative Update – February 26, 2026
Dear Neighbors,
On February 17, the 2026 Legislative Session officially began, for the first time in 20 years without my friend and our Speaker Emerita, Melissa Hortman. On our first day, we honored Melissa, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert with a remembrance ceremony.
We received seeds to plant in honor of Melissa’s love of gardening. We had a reception with cake and bread because Melissa and Mark loved to bake. And we were joined by a golden retriever service dog to remember the joy Gilbert brought to the Hortman family.
Melissa was the most consequential Speaker our state has ever had. She will be sorely missed, and we will continue to carry her with us in our work on behalf of the people of Minnesota.
2026 Legislative Session Begins
With a full agenda ahead, committees are already debating bills to protect civil rights, prevent gun violence, reform healthcare, lower costs, and prevent fraud.
As co-chair of the Energy Committee, I’ll be pushing for clean energy policies that lower costs and create green jobs. As recent reporting shows that Minnesota is in danger of falling short of our climate goals, I will soon host experts in our committee to discuss how investing in resiliency reduces emissions while saving taxpayers money in the long term.
It’s also been wonderful to see the Capitol bustling again. Recently, I stood with advocates to ensure data centers don't negatively impact our water supply, met with University of Minnesota students, and spoke with our high school pages—including a student from Minnetonka!
Taking Action on Gun Violence
Two empty school desks currently sit in a corridor of the State Capitol. They belonged to Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, whose lives were taken last August during the Annunciation Catholic Church and School shooting. Their families and other survivors are calling for action. While we have enacted red flag laws and expanded background checks in the past, there is clearly more to do.
House DFLers are proposing bills banning assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and binary triggers, requiring safe storage, and mandating the reporting of lost or stolen guns.
To find compromise, Governor Walz has included Republican priorities—like mental health support and school safety—in his gun violence prevention package.
We’re serious about making progress and finding compromise, but we need Republicans to also stand with the families of Annunciation and the nearly 70% of Minnesotans who are calling for action on guns.
With a tied House, all it takes is one person to join us, say “enough,” and advance these and other key solutions that will make a difference in our communities. Fletcher and Harper should still be in school today. We owe it to them and their families to act.
Staying in touch
Please reach out if you have any questions or feedback you would like to share. You can contact me by email at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn.gov or call my office during business hours at (651) 296-9934.
Sincerely,
Patty Acomb
State Representative