Proposed increases to health insurance rates, propane planning, electric school bus grants, and senior consumer protections





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"June 23, 2025"

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Table of Contents

* Proposed health insurance rates on the rise [ #rates ]
* Now is a great time to prepare for propane season [ #propane ]
* [ #bus ]First-round electric school bus grant recipients announced [ #bus ]
* Commerce is committed to protecting seniors [ #elder ]
* Commerce in the news [ #news ]





rates
Proposed health insurance rates on the rise

Health insurers have submitted proposed increased rates to Commerce for 2026 plans available to Minnesotans who buy individual or small group health insurance through MNsure or directly through insurers. Federal policy shifts are contributing to the higher cost of the proposed rates, even as state actions have blunted the impact. Last week, Governor Walz signed into law an extension of the Minnesota Premium Security Plan (MPSP), Minnesota’s reinsurance program, through 2027. Without the extension, individual market premiums would have been 25% higher, on average.

*Learn more* [ [link removed] ]


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Propane
Now is a great time to prepare for propane season

*Buy early for lower prices* 

During the summer and early fall, demand for propane is lower which means prices usually are, too. Fill up now to avoid the high demand prices of the fall and winter months. 

*Consider a budget plan* 

It can be challenging to pay for all your propane at once. That’s why Minnesota law requires that propane distributors offer customers a budget plan. Talk to local service provider to explore options.

*Learn more* [ [link removed] ]






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Electric bus
First-round electric school bus grant recipients announced

We're excited to announce the first-round recipients of the Commerce Electric School Bus Program* - *a $13 million initiative funded by the Minnesota State Legislature. This program is designed to help school districts across Minnesota transition to cleaner transportation by supporting the adoption of electric school buses. It also encourages educators to incorporate vehicle electrification into their curriculum, turning school buses into both transportation and learning tools. 

*See the first-round grant winners on our website.* [ [link removed] ] 

Interested in bringing electric school buses to your district? The next application round opens *Fall 2025*.  

*Learn more* [ [link removed] ]






Elderly
Commerce is committed to protecting seniors

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Day, Commerce is reaffirming its commitment to protect seniors from financial exploitation. Online scams are becoming more common and more advanced. From romance scams to lost UPS packages, and late toll payments to AI voice impersonations of loved ones, it can be hard to know what’s a scam these days. If you know a senior or vulnerable adult who may have been scammed, contact Commerce’s Senior Safe Team at [email protected]. <[email protected]>

*Learn more* [ [link removed] ]






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Commerce in the News

* KSTP: Minnesota’s student loan advocate offers direct assistance to student loan borrowers [ [link removed] ]
* MPR: Minnesota’s clean energy industry fretting about possible rollback of tax credits [ [link removed] ] 





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Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce at mn.gov/commerce [ [link removed] ] or @MNCommerce on social media.

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*Minnesota Department of Commerce*
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101

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