MASE Legislative Update - May 11, 2026

With just a week before adjournment, the legislature still has significant ground to cover. The progress of budget negotiations remains undetermined across most areas, and while conference committees are beginning to meet on a few bills, much remains outstanding. How, and if, the remaining pieces come together by the end of the session is very much an open question.

 

Last week, the Senate passed its Supplemental Finance Bill. This bill spans multiple areas of the state budget, including K12 education. The key education provisions include $24 million for a one-time compensatory revenue hold-harmless, extending operating capital uses for utility costs, permitting four school district fund transfers, and directing the Legislative Budget Office to annually survey school districts and charter schools on information about school health insurance plans.

 

The bill's path forward, however, is uncertain. There is no House companion, and with the two chambers divided, it's difficult to know how budget differences will be resolved.

 

The Senate also passed legislation outlining the Senate DFL gun violence prevention priorities. The bill includes a ban on semi-automatic weapons and several education-related provisions, including $19 million for school safety aid for public schools.

 

Like other bills, the prospects for this bill in the House are uncertain, given the divide over gun control.

 

The House and Senate passed the constitutional amendment on the Permanent School Fund distribution last week. The House bill passed unanimously with no amendments, but the Senate bill had a different outcome. The Senate bill was amended to require any future statutory changes to the distribution formula be approved by a two-thirds vote in both bodies. The Senate then passed the bill 59-8. Because the House and Senate versions differ, the two chambers will need to reconcile the differences before final passage.

 

May 18: Adjournment of Legislative Session

 

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

To follow committee hearings, visit the Combined Committee Schedule

To watch House committee and floor sessions, visit the House of Representatives YouTube Channel

To watch Senate committee and floor sessions, visit the Senate YouTube Channel

Current list of Legislative Retirements