Minnesota Legislature
Stable budget outlook projects $3.7 billion surplus now, no deficit in next biennium
The projected surplus for Fiscal Years 2026-27 is now higher than it was in the November estimate, and no deficit is projected for the next biennium.
“Minnesota’s budget outlook has improved amid significant near-term economic and fiscal uncertainty,” according to the February forecast released Friday by Minnesota Management and Budget.
The 2026-27 biennium projected balance is now $3.7 billion, $1.3 billion higher than November estimates. “A slightly improved economic outlook drives a higher revenue forecast largely driven by more volatile sources of revenue,” according to MMB.
However, spending growth is forecast to outpace revenue growth in the projections through Fiscal Year 2029. The projected General Fund balance for the 2028-29 biennium is now $377 million, but “a significant structural imbalance remains. Shifting policies at the federal level and missing or incomplete data due to recent federal government shutdowns introduce significant uncertainty to the projections,” according to MMB.
Read more at Session Daily.
Session Daily
Week in Review: March 9-13 (3/13/2026 12:59:00 PM) House passes bill to rename community solar program in Hortman's honor (3/12/2026 5:53:00 PM) Bill to expand crossbow hunting heads to House Floor (3/12/2026 5:12:00 PM) Lawmakers support their access to full Optum report, but not the public (3/12/2026 5:01:00 PM) Bill would extend in-state tuition to families relocating for full-time jobs (3/12/2026 4:54:00 PM) Briefings highlight workforce strengths, areas of possible concern (3/12/2026 3:00:00 PM) Bill to ban corporate campaign donations stalls in commerce committee (3/12/2026 2:45:00 PM) 'Melissa Hortman State Office Building' gets overwhelming committee approval (3/12/2026 2:18:00 PM) Will livestreamed government proceedings be coming to your Facebook feed? (3/12/2026 1:52:00 PM) Tax panel considers expanding refunds for big property tax hikes (3/12/2026 12:54:00 PM) Public safety committee rejects bill to increase penalties for misconduct by public officials (3/11/2026 7:16:00 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 8:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
Office of the Legislative Auditor presentation: Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Administration Grants Performance Audit.
Department of Human Services presentation: Behavioral Health Administration Grant Program.
Rep. Cedrick Frazier Press Conference
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 9:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
Economic impact of Operation Metro Surge.
House Ways and Means Committee
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 10:15 AM
Watch: Live Event
Economic impact of Operation Metro Surge presentations.
HF3298 (Mekeland) Reimbursement program established for underground petroleum storage tank systems with pressurized single-walled steel piping.
House Health Finance and Policy Committee
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3769 (Curran) Multiple levels of substance abuse care provided by the commissioner of corrections clarified in law, access to mental health unit beds for incarcerated persons expanded, and mandatory tuberculosis screening in correctional facilities clarified.
HF3978 (Reyer) Protections provided to participants in and employees and operators of a health care provider wellness program.
HF3476 (Liebling) Patient-Centered Care program established, direct state payments to health care providers authorized, contracting with administrative services organizations authorized, conforming changes made, and money appropriated.
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3919 (Cha) Benefits available to veterans of the Secret War in Laos modified, commissioner of veterans affairs directed to establish an eligibility process, and technical changes made.
HF3791 (Greene) Security and protective services of certain state officials provided, report required, and money appropriated.
HF1781 (Tabke) Various policy changes made, including authorizing aircraft electronic attestation, defining terms, modifying injury crash reporting, modifying legislative routes, and updating yellow traffic signal indications.
HF3908 (Kraft) Ignition interlock program license revocation requirements modified, driver's license indicators classified as private data, and technical corrections made.
HF4233 (Kraft) Requirements governing the excavation notice system, including to require electronic positive response modified.
HF3966 (Jones) Transit and bicycle related parking enforcement through use of transit obstruction camera systems authorized, penalty established, data practices provided, and money appropriated.
HF3430 (Kraft) Surcharges for all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles modified, and vehicle weight surcharge established.
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF4085 (Anderson, P.H.) Biofuel sales volume incentive program established, rulemaking authorized, and money appropriated.
Center for Rural Policy and Development update: State of Rural.
Department of Agriculture update: Farm safety, mental health and farm advocates.
HF4134 (Hansen) Provisions for importing, stocking, and transferring fish eggs in aquaculture modified.
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF3571 (Bakeberg) Watershed districts allowed to self-insure for certain employee health benefits, and technical changes made.
HF2526 (Duran) Exceptions to prohibition against gifts to local officials expanded.
HF3722 (Quam) Removal of deceased voters from statewide voter registration system required.
HF3723 (Quam) Voter verification required before mail delivery of an absentee ballot.
Session Daily Update
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 3:25 PM
Watch: Live Event
Updates from the House.
House Floor Session
Monday, March 16 2026 3/16/2026 3:30 PM
Watch: Live Event
CALENDAR FOR THE DAY.
HF2169 (Schwartz) Unintentional murder in the second degree offense modified to include cases involving violation of protective orders issued in additional jurisdictions.
HF3379 (Schomacker) Housing stabilization services repealed.
HF3615 (Hanson) Cannabis laboratory testing requirements extended.
News and Notes
Bill Introductions: HF4147-HF4289
2026 Legislative Session
The 2026 legislative session must conclude by May 18.
Committee deadlines
First and second: March 27 at 5 p.m.: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin and committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body.
Third: April 17 at 5 p.m.: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.
Members not seeking re-election
The Legislative Reference Library maintains a list of members who are retiring or seeking other offices.
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