Legislative Update Dear neighbors, With just three weeks remaining in the 2026 legislative session, the pace at the Capitol has officially shifted from a jog to a sprint. The Human Services Committee, Environment Committee, and Health Finance Committee's have all wrapped up their work for the year, but our House 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 Governor’s 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 was a very productive (and very busy) week at the Capitol, so let’s dive into some of the highlights! Fraud Isn’t Free, But Apparently Accountability Is? Last week, House Democrats voted against adding Representative Harry Niska’s Fraud Isn’t Free Act as an amendment to a bill this week; for Minnesotans who have been demanding accountability from their government, this is essentially a slap in the face. This bill enforces accountability to the highest degree. And under the Walz administration, we’ve seen a clear need to hold departments and employees accountable for their failures. The Fraud Isn’t Free Act begins to close the gap. We have seen proof that passing this legislation is necessary, because the administration itself has admitted it! In the O’Malley Report issued last February, officials acknowledged a “compassion over compliance” culture that has existed for years in the Walz administration, describing it as 70 percent compassion and 30 percent compliance. That is completely unacceptable. Here's the kicker: compliance isn’t supposed to be optional or partial, it’s supposed to be the baseline. All of it. Every time. And unfortunately, we’ve seen real-world examples of what happens when that standard slips. A compliance lead—someone whose job was literally to ensure accountability—was shown on video committing felonies while on the clock and still remained employed. DHS employees were found backdating documents to conceal their own failures from auditors. And the only state worker fired in connection with fraud? That happened the day before he was scheduled to testify before a House committee on fraud. That’s a system in need of serious reform. Representative Niska’s Fraud Isn’t Free Act would start to closing those loopholes. It imposes a five-year ban on state employment for negligent staff and reduces salary for agency heads when oversight failures occur. Essentially: if you’re responsible for managing public dollars, accountability isn’t optional. Right now, it too often feels like failure is rewarded. That has to change. Minnesota’s government should be held to the same standard as everyone else—no exceptions, no double standards. Minnesotans expect oversight to mean something. And I’ll keep working hard every day to ensure we can make that a reality. You can watch my comments from the discussion by clicking on the photo above! Parks, Trails, and Local Control in Action It was so great to have Glencoe City Administrator Mark Lemen at the Capitol this week to testify on my bill, House File 4663! This bill is all about local control, giving the people of Glencoe the opportunity to vote on a 0.5% local sales tax dedicated to something we can all get behind: improved parks and trails. If approved by voters, this would generate about $300,000 annually over 15 years. Real investment in the spaces where families gather, kids play, and communities grow. Parks and trails aren’t just “nice to have,” they drive tourism, support local businesses, and improve quality of life in a big way! And what I appreciate most about this proposal is simple: it puts the decision exactly where it belongs, with the voters. Thoughtful, transparent, community-driven solutions like this are what good governance looks like. Proud to support efforts that invest in our communities from the ground up. You can view my full bill introduction by clicking on the photo below!  Safe At Home: Protecting Minnesotans Where It Matters Most Another very exciting update from this week—House File 3676, authored by Representative Jim Nash and of which I am proud to be a co-author, passed the House with a unanimous vote, 134-0! The Safe at Home program is a critical tool for protecting victims and survivors of domestic violence and other threats. It allows participants to use a state-assigned P.O. box as their legal address, which must be accepted by both public and private entities. This helps ensure that a survivor’s real address remains confidential, reducing the risk of being located by an abuser. This legislation is about supporting people who have made the incredibly brave decision to leave unsafe situations. By strengthening this program, we are taking an important step to ensure their safety doesn’t end once they walk out the door—and that their privacy and security are protected in everyday life. I’m grateful to see this bill pass with unanimous support. It’s an excellent example of what we can accomplish when we find common ground around priorities that truly matter. When it comes to protecting Minnesotans, we should always be on the same team! 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! Small-Town Talent, Big-Time Wins I want to give a huge shoutout to the Dassel-Cokato High School Speech Team for bringing home the gold and earning the title of Minnesota State High School League 5A South Subsection Champions! What an incredible accomplishment. These students have worked hard, shown up for each other, and represented our community with heart. Our district schools continue to make me so proud—this is what dedication and teamwork truly look like in action. Keep on shining, kids! And while we’re celebrating, I also want to wish all of our spring athletes the very best as the season moves forward. From softball and baseball to track and field and trap shooting, your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed. Here’s to strong finishes, personal bests, and making the most of every moment of the season. Until next time, — Representative Dawn Gillman |