New Laws Now in Effect

July is an exciting time of the year. Not only is it a time for fireworks and barbecues, but it’s also a time to see all the laws passed by the legislature go into effect. Minnesota law dictates that bills containing an item of appropriation take effect on July 1 to correspond with the start of the new fiscal year; many bill provisions that passed this last session have now taken effect. Policy bills with no effective date take effect on August 1. These budget and policy changes include various topics, including:

Elections: 

• The new Minnesota Voting Rights Act provides a mechanism for an individual to bring action against a county or city if the individual believes their vote is being suppressed or diluted.

• Banning the use of “deep fakes” to influence elections and disqualification for candidates found violating the ban.

• Expanding campaign finance laws to increase transparency of money spent to influence elections.

Economic Development: 

• Investments of $24 million for employment and training opportunities and business and community development initiatives.

Transportation:

• New law requiring clear, simplified language on driver’s exams which aims to ensure written driver’s license exams test how well applicants understand the rules of the road rather than their ability to decode complex sentences.

• Provisions allowing registration of roadable aircraft (i.e. flying cars).

• Minnesota businesses will begin to collect a 50-cent retail delivery fee on orders that equal or exceed $100. The revenue will be directed to the Transportation Advancement Account.

Education:

• Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ): The act invests $37.22 million in to support school districts efforts to ensure Minnesota’s students are reading at grade level.

• Annual reviews and revisions of personal learning plans to ensure students are on track to graduate.

• Requiring schools to have a language access plan for students and families who speak languages other than English.

The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget reports that Minnesota’s financial outlook is stable while tax revenues continue to outpace projections.  The report covering the last quarter of the fiscal year showed that tax receipts were about $421 million (1.4 percent) more than anticipated since February’s comprehensive economic forecast. All tax receipts except for the sales tax performed ahead of estimates. There will be an updated economic forecast in November prior to the start of the 2025 Legislative Session, which will help the next legislature develop a new biennial budget.

Here is the full report from Minnesota Management and Budget.

This year voters will head to the polls to vote for several races, including President, United State Senator for Minnesota, all 8 members of Minnesota’s United States House of Representatives delegation, and all 134 Minnesota House of Representatives districts. The Minnesota state senate is not up for election this year, but there will be a special election held for senate district 45, with the departure of Senator Kelly Morrison who is running for U.S Congress in the third congressional district and has resigned from the state senate.

Some important election dates to Remember:

May 15: Applications for Absentee ballots open

June 28: Vote by mail or in person begins for the August 13 primary elections

August 13: Primary Election Day

September 20 through November 5: Vote by mail or in person

November 5: Election Day

For more voting information such as how to vote, where to vote, and other questions you may have you can visit the Secretary of State’s website here.

The Ewald Consulting Government Relations team has compiled a list of state representative races, but to find more detailed information in the races up for election you can visit  candidate filings list.

A few helpful links to follow the action at the State Capitol:

To find your legislators, visit Who Represents Me

For updates on activities at the House of Representatives,
visit the House Session Daily website.

For updates on activities at the Senate, visit Senate Media Services.

For House Committee and Floor Session Video,
visit the House of Representatives YouTube Channel.

For Senate Committee and Floor Session Video, visit the Senate YouTube Channel.