The regular legislative session concluded Monday evening, but critical work remains unfinished. Key budget and policy bills—like education, transportation, health and human services, and taxes—were left on the table. You may recall that session was delayed when House Democrats arrived late to the floor (you can’t elect a representative to a district that they don’t reside in!). While political distractions slowed the process, Minnesotans rightly expect their Legislature to stay focused and finish the job. With standing committees now operating as “working groups,” negotiations are ongoing in anticipation of a special session. Though I’m not part of one of these working groups, I’m following developments closely and stand ready to serve the moment we are called back to the Capitol.
Backroom Decision-Making: Stillwater Prison Closure Buried in Public Safety Bill
The Senate passed a public safety bill last week with zero bipartisan support, raising serious concerns about transparency and public trust. Tucked into the bill was a sudden, behind-closed-doors decision to close Stillwater Prison, Minnesota’s second-largest correctional facility, without any public hearings, legislative debate, or detailed plan for relocating inmates and dedicated staff. This lack of transparency is deeply troubling and sets a dangerous precedent for how major public safety decisions are made.
This decision, made behind closed doors, is both reckless and alarming. As Senator Warren Limmer noted, such a significant change to our public safety infrastructure demands full transparency and thorough vetting. Instead, Minnesotans got none of it.
Minnesota already ranks among the states with the lowest incarceration rates. Despite this, last year’s Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act made 92% of the prison population eligible for early release and reduced the mandatory time served from two-thirds to only one-half. Today’s move only deepens concerns that public safety is being compromised.
To its credit, the conference committee made key improvements to the bill before its final passage:
- Removed changes to felony murder laws that could have led to the early release of over 100 prisoners
- Removed a controversial provision that would have prevented prosecution of pregnant women using illegal drugs
- Scrapped the civil commitment division in the Attorney General’s office, which lacked support from mental health advocates
- Added a mandatory minimum sentence for first-degree criminal sex trafficking
- Extended the statute of limitations for first-degree arson from five to ten years
- Ensured that inmates who assault corrections officers will now serve consecutive—not concurrent—sentences
These changes are welcome. But even so, the bill’s final form also eliminated key bipartisan funding, including $1.75 million for Violent Crime Enforcement Teams and reduced support for law enforcement training programs.
Minnesotans deserve public safety policy that is transparent, thoughtful, and accountable. Decisions as serious as closing a major prison must be brought into the light—not slipped into bills at the eleventh hour. Legislators must do better. Public safety is not a political talking point—it’s a responsibility. And decisions of this magnitude deserve daylight, not secrecy.
Pensions Bill Is a Good Start But Misses the Mark on Promises to Educators and First Responders
The pensions bill presented over the weekend offered a lifeline to teachers and law enforcement officers—but ultimately missed the mark that I believe could and should have been reached.
I encourage you to watch the Senate discussion on this bill, available on the Senate’s YouTube channel (22:00 to 1:35). In that recording, you’ll see Senator Rasmusson offer three common-sense amendments that would have fully funded teacher pensions. One amendment proposed redirecting the pension increase for legislators to the Teachers Retirement Association (TRA). Another would have capped the salary of the Executive Director of Education Minnesota at the same level as the Governor’s salary.
I was eager to support a proposal that truly honored our educators by fully funding their pensions. Unfortunately, each of these amendments was rejected on a party-line vote. Even more frustrating, the bill’s author, Senator Frentz (DFL), stated on the floor that he would not support any amendments—even those that could have improved the bill.
It’s important to remember that Minnesota had a record $18 billion surplus last session. That was a historic opportunity to fully fund teacher pensions! I stood in support of that effort then, and I continue to stand behind it now. Choosing not to act was a missed opportunity to prioritize educators in a meaningful and lasting way.
Additionally, during the Pensions Committee meeting, Senator Seeberger (DFL) introduced what can only be described as a “poison pill” amendment. This provision eliminates current protections that allow duty-disabled Police and Fire professionals to retain employer-sponsored health insurance until age 65. Under the adopted language—despite officers still being responsible for paying their premiums—coverage is now limited to just five years. When Senator Howe attempted to amend this harmful language on the floor, he was quickly shut down by DFL leadership, who refused to accept any changes.
Let me be clear:
I am 100% supportive of Tier II pension reform and the full funding of retirement benefits. But I could not, in good conscience, support a bill that had two major flaws:
- It continues to delay meaningful action to properly fund teacher pensions.
- It breaks a promise to our Police and Fire professionals, putting their health and well-being at risk by stripping away insurance coverage they were told they could rely on.
These decisions put both noble professions—educators and first responders—at risk and threaten our ability to recruit and retain them at a time when Minnesota needs them most. For those reasons, I could not support the pensions bill in its current form.
While I had hoped the House would take a fresh look and pursue a solution that truly delivers for the professionals who serve our state, the bill passed with overwhelming support, 133-1. I remain committed to doing the full job—not just part of it. When we, as legislators, have the opportunity to fully fund pensions and honor the promises made to our public servants, we should take it. Ignoring a fair and responsible approach shortchanges those who dedicate their lives to serving Minnesota.
Bipartisan Human Services Bill Prioritizes Integrity, Access, and Accountability
The Senate recently passed the bipartisan Human Services policy bill (HF 2115) on a strong 55–8 vote. While not perfect, this legislation reflects what’s possible when lawmakers from both chambers work together to find common ground on issues that impact some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations.
This agreement strengthens key aspects of our human services system—focusing on safety, access to care, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. As Senator Jordan Rasmusson, Republican lead on the Senate Human Services Committee, noted, “We have strengthened protections for those in assisted living and reduced burdens on mental health and substance use providers… [while] protecting taxpayers… by strengthening anti-fraud provisions.”
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Cracking down on fraud in state programs by penalizing illegal kickbacks in the Child Care Assistance Program, aligning enforcement with state theft laws, and prohibiting duplicative billing
- Improving care and oversight in long-term care and hospice facilities through balanced, bipartisan regulation
- Reducing red tape for mental health and substance use treatment providers to better serve Minnesotans in need
- Ensuring patients in assisted living and health care settings can designate a support person who may be present when needed
- Preserving the role of the Special Review Board in discharge decisions within the Minnesota Sex Offender Program
This bill is an example of what responsible policy can look like—protecting the public, supporting care providers, and respecting taxpayer investment. I was proud to support this bipartisan effort to strengthen services and safeguard Minnesotans who rely on them.
Bipartisan State Government Bill Delivers Election Integrity Wins, Holds State Agencies Accountable
This week, the Senate passed a bipartisan agreement on the State and Local Government and Elections budget (SF 3045) by a vote of 36–31. While the final bill isn’t perfect, it includes several important provisions that improve election administration, reduce government overreach, and hold state agencies to a higher standard of accountability.
As Senator Andrew Lang noted, “It’s not the bill I would’ve written, but there are some wins in it.” With Minnesotans already being asked to absorb cuts, it’s only fair that state agencies face the same scrutiny. Unfortunately, operating increases for agencies remain higher than many of us believe is appropriate.
One key improvement comes in the area of elections. I emphasized the importance of protecting election fairness—a concern shared by many Minnesotans. The final bill addresses that concern with the following notable provisions:
- Absentee ballot deadline change: Moves the polling place absentee ballot deadline from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Election Day, helping counties process ballots more efficiently and reducing the risk of late-count controversies.
- Business filing fee elimination: Cuts unnecessary Secretary of State filing fees—lightening the burden on Minnesota businesses and guarding against excessive government costs.
- Strengthened accountability for audits: Requires Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) to submit annual updates on the status of Legislative Auditor recommendations, improving transparency and oversight.
- Reduced general fund appropriations: Key agencies like the Attorney General’s Office and Secretary of State received lower-than-requested appropriations, reflecting a commitment to fiscal restraint.
While there’s still work to be done to rein in spending and fully restore public trust in government operations, this bill marks a step in the right direction.
Agriculture Budget Bill Supports Rural Communities, But Delays Needed Reforms
The Senate gave final approval to the Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development budget and policy agreement (HF 2446) with strong bipartisan support. While the final package includes valuable investments for Minnesota’s agricultural economy and rural communities, it also reflects some missed opportunities for more meaningful reform.
Notably, the bill takes long-overdue steps to modernize Minnesota’s cottage food laws, which help small food entrepreneurs thrive. Unfortunately, broader updates—such as expanding shipping options for cottage food producers—were delayed until 2027. I share the disappointment of many rural business owners who were hoping for quicker action on these commonsense changes.
Republicans also pressed for greater accountability in food assistance programs in light of concerns over excessive executive salaries at Second Harvest Heartland. I’m encouraged that the final bill ends direct appropriations to the organization and moves this funding into a competitive grant process, bringing greater transparency to how these dollars are used.
Another concern involved fee increases on grain buyers and storers, which would have imposed a significant burden on our agricultural producers. While those increases remain in the bill, we were able to secure a cap to help limit their impact.
Other highlights of the bill include:
- Additional funding for farmers affected by livestock or crop damage caused by wolves or elk
- Expanded support for Farm to School and Early Care programs through AGRI funding
- Continued investment in voluntary environmental programs that promote sustainability without imposing mandates
This bill represents progress in several key areas for rural Minnesota, and I remain committed to pushing for stronger reforms and greater accountability as we move forward.
Bottom Line
Minnesotans expect their elected officials to show up, work hard, and complete their work on time. Unfortunately, this session ended without key pieces of legislation finalized—meaning we’re now headed toward a special session that will come at additional cost to taxpayers.
While the Senate stayed focused on delivering results, the first several weeks of session in the House were consumed by political distractions that delayed meaningful progress. These lost weeks set the tone for a session that ultimately ran out of time.
Even as DFL legislator budget priorities shifted toward expanding costly programs—like government-funded health insurance for individuals living here illegally—we also saw proposals to cut nursing home funding by $220 million. Don’t let the federal funding messaging by the DFL fool you! The federal funding will continue with a 50% match for nursing homes. When our own state government cuts funding, it will dramatically impact the TOTAL funding we receive. So, with that funding tied to a federal fund match, that means we will be shorting our nursing homes and elder care by $440 million per biennium. That’s not a responsible or compassionate approach. Our focus should be on protecting vulnerable seniors, preventing property tax hikes, and helping Minnesotans afford their everyday lives.
As we head into a special session, I remain committed to doing the job the voters of Chisago and Isanti Counties sent me here to do: standing up for hardworking families, restoring common sense to budgeting decisions, and ensuring we prioritize the needs of the people over political agendas. When we receive our call back to the Capitol, you can bet I’ll be ready to do the work of the people.
Contact Me
Please don’t ever hesitate to contact me! I truly believe keeping in touch with constituents helps me be a better legislator. You can contact me directly through email at sen.mark.koran@mnsenate.gov or by calling 651-296-5419. My legislative assistant, Melissa Field, is also a great source for information. She can be reached at melissa.field@mnsenate.gov or by calling 651-296-6200. Take care and I look forward to seeing you in the community soon!
