2026 Minnesota Legislative Session

The Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce's annual trip to St. Paul on March 5, 2026, included many first-time visitors who advocated on local issues.

Abbey Mulcahy, Kendra Mobilia, Shay Scanlan and Eleanor Steffen are reporting on the Legislature. New this year, intern Karina Kafka is also producing photojournalism.

On Feb. 24, 2026, Gov. Tim Walz announced a 15-point package that includes a ban on assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines and additional school safety measures.

Republicans in the Minnesota House have been trying to force a vote on a bill that creates a new inspector general to oversee public programs.

The bill would implement an intelligent speed assistance program, or ISA, installed on a repeat offender's vehicle to prohibit driving above the speed limit in a given area.

Each school district would be in charge of creating, implementing and enforcing a policy that meets these standards for the 2026-27 school year.

The package has 18 proposals, including prohibiting legislators from making direct appropriations to nonprofits and establishing a centralized Office of Inspector General.

Tim O'Malley said in a Feb. 23, 2026, news conference that lawmakers and administrations were made aware of vulnerabilities in the state's social safety net since the 1970s.

Advocates said housing instability has intensified in recent months amid the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota.

To enter the building, visitors and employees need to pass through a body scanner and put large items through a conveyor belt scanner.