Legislative Update
Friends,
It’s been another eventful week at the Capitol, with significant developments across multiple areas. We saw a powerful rally in support of our state’s young female athletes, discussed a bill to return excess tax revenue to the people of Minnesota, heard legislation that would protect employees that report fraud, held a press conference on a bill that clarifies the right to self-defense, and witnessed the release of a state budget with far-reaching implications.
Preserving Girls’ Sports Act
On Monday, I stood in support of the Republican-led Preserving Girls' Sports Act, a bill aimed at ensuring fairness and safety in young girls' athletics by prohibiting biological males from competing against girls. Unfortunately, House Democrats unanimously voted against it. As a father of a competitive swimmer, I know firsthand how hard these young girls have worked to get where they are, and they deserve the same level of fairness and opportunity in athletics that we give to young men. Following the vote, the legislation was tabled for future consideration. I will continue to fight for common sense to be applied to this issue and update you on any new developments.
Combating Fraud
During a hearing on HF 23 in the Workforce, Labor & Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, House Democrats once again rejected efforts to enhance whistleblower protections for state employees. HF 23 seeks to broaden protections for state workers by ensuring that employees who report waste, fraud, or abuse in state programs or agencies are shielded from retaliation. The bill also extends these protections to reports made to law enforcement officers. HF 23 has been heard by two committees and is expected to continue through the legislative process.
Minnesota Tax Relief Account
House Republicans have proposed a constitutional amendment to create a "Minnesota Tax Relief Account" in the state treasury. The account would be funded by any projected budget surplus exceeding 105% of projected expenditures. The funds in the account would be used to return excess tax collections to property and income taxpayers through refunds or to offset the cost of one-time tax reductions. This legislation is about fiscal responsibility, integrity, and a government that receives no more than what it needs and returns every additional penny back to the taxpayers.
Self Defense in Minnesota
HF 13 – Eliminating the Duty to Retreat
On Wednesday, members of the House Republicans held a press conference to discuss HF 13, a bill aimed at removing the duty to retreat.
Under current Minnesota law, individuals are required to make every effort to flee from an assailant before resorting to self-defense or coming to the defense of others. HF 13 seeks to eliminate this obligation, allowing individuals to use reasonable force to protect themselves or others from immediate harm.
The duty to retreat was established following a split decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court last summer. In his dissent, former DFL House Speaker and current State Supreme Court Justice Paul Thissen argued that the ruling was "completely divorced from state statute," "flies in the face of human nature," and is "without precedent in the United States."
HF 13 is another example of commonsense legislation that seeks to make Minnesota a safe place to live and work with reasonable laws that discourage criminality and protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
February Forecast
On Thursday this week, the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget released its highly anticipated February Budget Forecast which estimates how much the State of Minnesota expects to receive in revenue and dish out in spending.
Thursday’s report surpassed the grim outlook of the last forecast in November. The projected general fund shortfall for the FY 2028-29 biennium has worsened to $5.995 billion, $852 million more than earlier forecasts.
The forecast reveals that Minnesota’s revenues are expected to fall far behind the state’s escalating spending, especially in areas like health care, human services, and education. With state spending continuing to rise, revenue will have to increase, forcing the taxpayer to shoulder an already unreasonable burden.
This should be seen as a wake-up call for Minnesotans and the Walz administration. Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for government waste, overspending, and loss due to excessive fraud.
This level of irresponsibility is unacceptable, and I will do my part to ensure that only fiscally responsible legislation is passed in the House. We’ve all learned how to balance a checkbook; it’s time for the government to do the same.
Let's Stay in Contact
As we continue through the 2025-2026 session, I’d appreciate your input. If you have any thoughts or concerns, please reach out to me at 651-296-7065 or at my email, rep.terry.stier@house.mn.gov.
Thanks,
Terry