Legislative Update Dear friends and neighbors, With just three weeks remaining in the 2026 legislative session, the pace at the Capitol has shifted from a jog to a sprint. The Public Safety Committee has officially wrapped up its work for the year, but the Taxes Committee will continue meeting right up until we adjourn sine die on May 17th… so there's no slowing down just yet! Last Friday marked our third and final policy deadline, meaning every bill we hope to see included in the final budget has now made its way through each respective committee. From here on out, it’s all about refinement, negotiation, and making sure the priorities Minnesotans care about stay front and center as decisions are finalized. Even though the third deadline has passed, my door is still wide open. So don't be shy, reach out! The work doesn’t stop when the deadlines do. During the interim, I’ll be meeting with our community's leaders, listening to neighbors’ concerns, and shaping the next wave of legislation for the upcoming budget cycle; the best ideas always start at home. It’s been a very productive (and very busy) week at the Capitol—so let’s dive into some of the highlights! Turning the Tide on Fraud I’m excited to share that my bill, House File 3826, cleared the Minnesota House on Thursday with a unanimous 134-0 vote and is now headed over to the Senate. At its core, this is a fraud prevention and identity theft crackdown that strengthens tools for prosecutors and investigators while modernizing how we define and prosecute emerging forms of fraud. A few bill highlights: - Gives the Attorney General and county attorneys stronger subpoena authority to access critical records when investigating fraud and financial crimes
- Updates and expands definitions around identity theft—because fraud in 2026 is much more sophisticated than fraud in 2006
- Recognizes and defines “forged digital likenesses” (deepfake-style impersonation is officially on the radar)
- Extends and adjusts statutes of limitations from 6 to 10 years for certain fraud-related offenses so cases don’t expire before justice can be served
- Tightens tools across a wide range of financial crime investigations—from wage theft to insurance fraud to public assistance fraud
In short: if you’re doing honest work in Minnesota, nothing here changes your day. However, if you’re trying to scam, steal, impersonate, or manipulate systems; you’re going to find the state a lot less accommodating. What I’m especially proud of is the strong bipartisan support. In a time when agreement isn’t always the easiest thing to come by, this was a clear message from the House: fraud prevention isn’t partisan—it’s practical. Now the bill moves on to the Senate for a final vote. More updates to come, but for now, I’ll take a moment to appreciate a rare and refreshing thing in politics: a 134–0 vote that actually means something for Minnesota. Strengthening 911 Response Across Minnesota Another really strong piece of legislation that saw movement this week is my bill, House File 4597—this one is a big deal for how we handle emergencies across Minnesota. House File 4597 proposes funding for the development and implementation of a unified 911 center awareness platform. This bill will help our 911 centers by enabling real-time information sharing between dispatch centers and across jurisdictions. This is a major step toward modernizing emergency communications statewide. Real-time information sharing between dispatch centers means better situational awareness, faster response times, and stronger coordination during complex, rapidly evolving incidents. Emergencies don’t stop at jurisdictional lines—and this system helps ensure our response doesn’t either. I also want to extend a sincere thank you to my testifiers: Dave Beer, Scott County Commissioner and Metropolitan Emergency Services Board member; Nancie Pass, Director of the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center; and Tony Martin, Director of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center. Your expertise, perspective, and advocacy made a real impact on this discussion. On behalf of more than 300 police chiefs across Minnesota, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) has also expressed strong support for House File 4597 and House File 4810. Together, these bills represent practical investments in public safety infrastructure, coordination, and the tools our first responders need to effectively and efficiently serve our communities. And fittingly, this week is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. To all of our telecommunications professionals and dispatchers—thank you! Your work is the calm in the chaos, and it quite literally saves lives every day. I’m honored to carry legislation that supports your work and helps make an already challenging job a little more connected, and a little more efficient.  Thank You, Paul: A Career Built on Service and Heart I would like to give a shoutout to someone I have been incredibly fortunate to call my colleague and friend over my four years here at the Legislature. Representative Paul Novotny (R - Elk River) has announced that he will not seek re-election this November. He has been an incredible force here at the Minnesota House, serving the people of Minnesota for 40 years—first as a law enforcement officer for 33 years, and then as district 30B's voice in the Minnesota Legislature for the past seven. That kind of dedication is rare, and it speaks volumes about the kind of person he is: consistent, committed, and deeply rooted in his service to others. When I first stepped into this role in the Legislature, Paul was an incredible mentor to me. He took the time to share his experience, offer guidance, and help me find my footing in a new and challenging environment. I will always be grateful for that. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to partner on many bills together, especially those focused on strengthening and supporting our law enforcement community—work that has always been close to both of our hearts. Paul leads with integrity, shows up for people when it matters most, and has spent his career doing the kind of work that makes communities safer and stronger. I’ve learned a great deal from him, and I know I’m not alone in that. Congratulations, Paul, on an incredible career—and thank you, truly, for your friendship, your mentorship, and your lifelong service to the great State of Minnesota. Building Safer Communities with Minnesota’s Law Enforcement Leaders It was a pleasure to join the police chief and leadership team from the Lakeville Police Department for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association’s Day at the Capitol today! The MCPA represents more than 500 current and retired law enforcement and public safety leaders, all working to provide strong, professional policing across our state. As a former officer, I’m always grateful for the chance to connect with our law enforcement partners. These conversations matter—they help us craft thoughtful policy, close gaps in the system, and make sure we’re supporting those who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. Proud to play a part in building a safer Minnesota. Aging Well in Minnesota; Because “Golden Years” Should Actually Shine It was great to sit down this week with representatives from LeadingAge—alongside Senator Zach Duckworth—to talk about something that impacts every single one of us: how we care for and support our aging population. If you’re not familiar, LeadingAge is a nationwide community of more than 5,300 nonprofit providers and mission-driven organizations, all focused on serving older adults with dignity, innovation, and compassion. During our meeting, we covered everything from strengthening long-term care options to making sure seniors can stay safe, independent, and connected to their communities. Here’s the bigger picture: every family, at some point, is touched by these issues; whether it’s helping a parent, a grandparent, or planning ahead for ourselves. The goal? Keep Minnesota not just a great place to grow up or raise a family—but a place where you can age with dignity, support, and maybe even a little peace of mind (and yes, we’ll keep working on the “affordability” part too). Conversations like this matter. They’re where good ideas start, and where meaningful policy begins to take shape. And if we do it right, the results won’t just look good on paper… they’ll show up in every MInnesotans lives. Bringing A Little Wild Pride to the House Floor It’s always a treat having the Minnesota Wild’s very own anthem singer John deCausmeaker in the House! You can watch the clip from Thursday's floor session by clicking the photo above. Always great to see him bring that same energy and pride we feel across the State of Hockey. Wishing the Minnesota Wild a victory over Dallas tomorrow night Go Wild! Until next time, — Representative Jeff Witte |