Legislative Update: Session Begins, Upcoming Town Hall

Dear Neighbors,  

On February 17, the 2026 Legislative Session officially began, for the first time in 20 years without our Speaker Emerita, Melissa Hortman. On our first day, we honored Melissa, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert with a remembrance ceremony.  

Melissa was a dedicated public servant who led with care, civility, and compassion, and the legislation she helped pass will forever be her legacy. 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 health care, lower costs, and prevent fraud. 

My priorities for our district are clear: respond to ICE’s lawlessness and ensure Minnesotans rights are protected, reform our health care system, and build an economy that works for families and working-class Minnesotans. 

This week in the Health Committee, I presented my bill banning prior authorization for lifesaving medication to treat opioid use disorder. Dr. Kelly from Community-University Health Care Center joined me, as he gave heartbreaking testimony showing how this bureaucratic red tape can lead to relapse and potentially death. You can watch the full hearing here. 

Right now, our health care system is failing those who need it most, and this bill will ensure more patients receive timely treatment for opioid use disorder. I’ll continue pushing for this bill to become law this session. 

March 24 Town Hall

Join Rep. Aisha Gomez, Sen. Omar Fateh, and me at our District 62 Town Hall on Tuesday, March 24, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. We’ll provide an update on state policy issues for this legislative session, and take questions from neighbors, which you can submit here. 

Please RSVP using this link. Everyone is welcome, and light refreshments will be provided. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to my legislative assistant, Saynab, at Saynab.Jama@house.mn.gov.  

Community at the Capitol

Finally, I want to highlight some recent constituent visits to the Capitol! It’s been great to see the Capitol bustling with energy, and Minnesotans making their voice heard. Recently, I met with Amy and Christy from Hennepin County Library, and with constituents from my old union, AFSCME Council 5, about the importance of protecting the State Board of Civil Legal Aid. 

Stay In Touch!

Hearing from constituents like you is a key aspect of my job as a state legislator. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. You can email me at rep.anquam.mahamoud@house.mn.gov or call my office at 651-296-0294. You can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Anquam Mahamoud
State Representative