2026 Legislative Session

The legislature adjourns on May 18, and with split government being the name of the game, movement on major bills has been slow.  Only bipartisan deals are making any progress. Major remaining issues include:

• Fraud prevention and oversight
• Public safety/gun control
• A rescue plan for Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and North Memorial
• Seeking reparations for the federal I.C.E. Metro Surge
• A bonding bill

Housing Results:

CMBA and Housing First Minnesota scored one notable victory as Governor Tim Walz this week signed into law Home Owners Association (HOA) Bill of Rights legislation. The new law places limits on HOA fines, bans HOA retaliation against homeowners, and requires greater transparency in HOA operations. The legislation is intended to protect homeowners and improve governance within HOAs across Minnesota.

The Starter Home Act, which we continue to promote, stalled again this year due to stiff opposition from the League of Minnesota Cities, and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, who insist on strict local control, even though that is not helping produce enough housing to address growing housing shortages across Minnesota.  We will continue promoting this package of zoning and incentives reforms. 

Since this is a non-budget year, there is little negotiating pressure to get anything done, and observers have increasingly low expectations of what will actually make it across the legislative finish line. Legislators cannot pass any legislation after May 17, and so the last day of session (May 18) will feature a record number of farewell speeches from more than 42 legislators who have announced they are either retiring or running for another office. View a full updated list of legislative retirements in 2026.

CMBA will provide a more complete summary following the close of the 2026 legislative session.  For more information, contact:  Steve Gottwalt, steve@cmbaonline.org, 952-923-5265.

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