Legislative Update
Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’ve had a wonderful first half of your summer! After a brief post-session recovery period I’ve been out and about in our community enjoying everything Minnesota has to offer. But there is still so much more to look forward to, including the State Fair which is just around the corner. The mad scientist new food concoctions look as wild as ever!
Here’s a brief update from the Capitol:
New Laws
On July 1st, many new laws from the 2026 legislative session took effect. Some highlights include helping schools establish anonymous threat reporting systems so students and families can safely report concerning behavior, implementing a mandatory social media mental health warning, and more. You can find a list of the new laws and summaries here. There will also be a new set of laws coming into effect on August 1st, so be sure to visit House Information services to learn about those !
I’d also like to update you on two grants that Oakdale received as a result of the 3M settlement. One for improvements to Passages of Oakdale, a park in the city of Oakdale, and a second grant for habitat restoration in nine city parks. There is still more need to make up for the harm 3M caused but I’m happy that our district will see these improvements.
Pension Bill Signed into Law
The Governor recently signed another bill boosting pensions for those that dedicate their careers to serving Minnesotans. Pensions are about keeping promises - promises to the teachers, first responders, 911 operators, and public employees that the state has their back. House the House DFL author I worked hard to secure these wins for works and am proud to see them signed into law.
Session Wins and Looking Ahead
I worked with my colleagues to pass laws around gun violence prevention, housing protections and affordability measures, protections against federal overreach, resources for our schools and so much more. Unfortunately we will have to return next year to take a shot at passing these pieces of legislation. In my conversations with you all it’s clear that your representatives must do more to make this economy work for hard working Minnesotans. I will continue to fight for change so you can afford to live and thrive!
Last Update for A Bit
Lastly, I also wanted to let you know that this will be my final newsletter until November. Mid-July marks our 60-day deadline since the end of the legislative session, when Minnesota law requires unsolicited official communications to stop until after the 2026 election. This is so that an unfair advantage is not given to incumbents. As a result, this will likely be the last newsletter you receive from my office until later this year.
This is the only notable change - I want to emphasize that my office is available to constituents year-round to assist you with your needs. As always, you can reach me at 651-296-1188 or rep.leon.lillie@house.mn.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.
Keep in Touch!
If you have any questions, ideas, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to email me at rep.leon.lillie@house.mn.gov or give me a call at (651) 296-1188.
Sincerely,
Leon Lillie
State Representative