2026 Bill Updates
Friends and neighbors,
With less than a month until the end of the 2026 Legislative Session, most committees are done with their work.
The Taxes Committee, on which I serve, is still meeting. The other two committees that I serve on are the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee, as well as the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. Both of these committees passed small bills this year (our primary budget bills were passed last year). These bills will be reconciled with work done at the Senate in their conference committees. I will not see these bills again until we get close to voting on the House Floor, and may never see them again if they are not acted on by the Senate.
Though the State Legislature is technically not required to pass legislation in a non-budget year, there are still many bills that I have been advocating for as I work to uphold your interests at the State Capitol.
Bills that I am optimistic about include:
HF4017: Addresses the infectious waste being delivered to the R&E center in Newport. I am waiting for a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee, and then hopefully it will be sent to the Floor for a vote. The Senate is also working on their version of the bill.
HF3901: Adds investigative powers to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson to protect vulnerable youth. This bill requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to work with the Foster Youth Ombudsperson during investigations addressing foster families and youth. This is a longer shot, but still possible. It is needed badly.
HF4141: Provides a criminal penalty for assaulting Housing and Redevelopment Authority employees. I would love to see this acted on. I do not know if there is a path, but I have learned a bill is not dead until we gavel out.
HF4923: Provides a sales tax exemption for construction materials for clean water infrastructure. Still awaiting a hearing in the Taxes Committee. Why pay taxes on materials purchased using taxpayer money? This is a common request.
Bonding Bills: I am still waiting to see what type of capital improvement bill we may have. Here are the bills I have for Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, and Washington County: HF3989, HF3400, and HF1196. HF1196 is actually Washington County, but they are partnering with Cottage Grove.
HF4072: Bipartisan bill to establish a Local News Talent Pipeline Program grant. Funding provided and money appropriated. Establishes a plan to help with succession and internships. We are lacking local media outlets and Minnesota needs local media — both newspapers and digital.
HF4425: Increases the statute of limitations for crimes involving Medical Assistance fraud and other theft of money belonging to the state government. I recently released a video about this topic, as it is very important. We cannot lose the opportunity to bring fraudsters to justice due to the statute of limitations running out.
Along with authoring and voting on bills, I continue to meet with cities, school boards and school officials, along with constituents. I believe our best ideas come from those who have boots-on-the-ground experience with the issues they are advocating for. With your insight, we can draft legislation that will best address the needs of Washington County and Minnesota at large.
I will continue to meet with constituents and advocacy groups in St. Paul until the 2026 Legislative Session is done, and then I will be in the district. I look forward to listening, learning, and working together on legislation for next year.
Stillwater School Board Members
 Washington County Commissioner Cox and Lake Elmo Mayor Cadenhead
Wishing you a great weekend!
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