Legislative Update – June 6, 2025
Dear neighbors,
This morning, legislative leaders and the Governor agreed to an agreement for a special session to pass the remainder of the state’s budget. The regular rules of the House will be suspended to allow the legislature to pass all bills in a single legislative day, beginning on Monday, June 9, at 10:00 am. All bills must be passed before 7:00 am on Tuesday, June 10.
We still need to pass a K-12 Education budget, as well as our Health and Human Services budgets. Together, this represents more than three-quarters of our entire state budget. We will also pass our budgets for Higher Education, Environment, Energy, Jobs and Labor, Transportation, Commerce, and Taxes, as well as a few other standalone bills agreed upon by all sides.
In these last days before the special session, I’m working with my colleagues to ensure the budget we pass will strengthen our district and state.
Mississippi River Basin Legislative Cohort
I’m proud to be participating in the National Conference of State Legislatures’ meeting of the Mississippi River Basin Legislative Cohort this weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bringing together legislators from across the region to discuss the issues that are affecting our water and infrastructure, and how we can protect the basin from pollution and flooding.
One highlight from the conference so far: Minnesota has invested the most funding in geological surveys of the Mississippi River and the surrounding area. As the home of the headwaters, the actions we take to protect the river and water quality have huge impacts downriver. That’s why I have and will continue to advocate for science-based solutions to ensure the river is protected for future generations.
Other News
The Office of the Legislative Auditor has released the limited special review report, MINNCOR Industries’ Contracting Practices for Interstate Commerce. You can read the report here.
The report shows that MINNCOR’s contracts for two private companies were less profitable than they could have been had MINNCOR adopted a more appropriate approach to cost accounting. As a member of the Legislative Audit Commission, I’ll be reviewing the report and taking steps to ensure that these practices are improved in the future.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will hold virtual meetings this month to get public input on draft rules on the cumulative impacts of pollution and air toxics regulations. These rules are required because of legislation passed by the Environment Committee in 2023 and 2024.
The meeting on cumulative impacts analysis will be held on June 25 from 6 – 7:30 pm, and you can find more details here. The meeting on air toxics regulations will be held on June 26 from 6 – 7:15 pm, and you can find more details here. I hope you’re able to attend and make your voice heard.
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