Having trouble viewing this email?  [ [link removed] ]View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].






CS




Dear Neighbor,

The 2026 session is heading into the final stretch before our May 17 adjournment, which means we’re spending a lot more time on the House floor debating and voting on bills. With the House tied 67-67, bipartisan support is required for approval of any bill. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s notes:

*Anti-fraud bill passes*

We passed a bill (H.F. 4425 [ [link removed] ]) to strengthen Minnesota’s response to fraud and better protect taxpayer dollars. It extends the statute of limitations for crimes involving theft of public funds – like medical assistance fraud – from six years to 10 years. That gives prosecutors more time to go after complex fraud schemes and makes it harder for bad actors to run out the clock.

*Another anti-fraud bill passes*

The House also approved another bill (H.F. 3496 [ [link removed] ]) focused on accountability in the corrections system. It requires individuals on supervised release to make a good-faith effort to pay restitution before qualifying for reduced supervision. If someone can pay but chooses not to, they won’t be eligible for early release. It’s a straightforward way to support victims and build trust in the system.

*Anti-fraud efforts blocked*

Unfortunately, House Democrats blocked House Republican efforts to address fraud two other ways this week. They blocked action on the Fraud isn’t Free Act, (H.F. 3395 [ [link removed] ]), which provides consequences for state workers who allow fraud, waste, and abuse of tax dollars to take place in state programs either through negligence or misconduct. House Democrats also blocked an amendment that would require annual program site visits to root out scandals such as Feeding our Future.

*DAIRI bill*

We passed a bill (H.F. 3508 [ [link removed] ]) to expand support for Minnesota dairy farmers, especially newer and first-generation operations. It updates eligibility rules in the Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Relief Initiative so farmers aren’t left out due to outdated benchmarks. This fix could help additional farms access support.

*Bill to increase “sextortion” penalties*

The House unanimously passed a bill (H.F. 2358 [ [link removed] ]) to increase penalties for sextortion crimes. This comes after tragic cases like the death of an Olivia teen in 2021, which brought more attention to the issue. He was just 16 years old when he took his own life after becoming the victim of an online sextortion hoax. Sadly, this case is not isolated and a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension official  called it [ [link removed] ] a “pandemic that has taken our country by storm.”

The bill increases penalties depending on the harm caused, including up to 15 years in prison if the crime contributes to a victim’s death. It also adds tougher penalties tied to financial losses. This bill now moves to the Senate, and if approved, would take effect Aug. 1.

*What’s on tap?*

We’re hoping for action on some of the session’s biggest bills before the House is set to adjourn May 17. This includes passing a “real” Office of the Inspector General bill to provide more transparency and accountability in state programs. We also need to provide tax relief for Minnesotans who are struggling after the former trifecta raised taxes by $10 billion despite an $18 billion surplus.

House Republicans continue working to put money back in people’s pockets with nearly $4 billion in relief through commonsense proposals like lowering car tab fees, providing a property tax refund, and more.

Property taxes are skyrocketing across Minnesota after Democrats forced costly, unfunded mandates onto local governments, driving increases of as much as $1 billion statewide. Families are feeling it every time they open their tax bill, and for some homeowners, it’s forcing them out of their homes. Republicans are focused on real relief, including a one-time property tax rebate to help put money back into family budgets.

Watch as these and other issues unfold over the next three weeks. As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions or thoughts.

Sincerely,

Chris






Facebook logo

 

/RepChrisSwedzinski [ [link removed] ]





State Rep. Chris Swedzinski
2nd Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155
[email protected]
(651) 296-5374







________________________________________________________________________

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].

This service is provided to you at no charge by Minnesota House GOP [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota House GOP · 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. · Saint Paul, MN 55155 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]