2026 Legislative Session Is Underway

ST. PAUL – On February 17, state lawmakers returned to St. Paul to begin the 2026 legislative session. The day began with all state lawmakers, the governor, and other dignitaries gathering the House chamber to honor the memory of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.

Committee work began the next day, and State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) said one of the legislature’s top priorities will center on fraud, where at least $9 billion has already been stolen from state government programs.

“As a top line item, the fraud epidemic has been allowed to fester for far too long and legislation needs to be passed to stop this theft,” Torkelson said. “But on an individual level, every representative or senator has priorities they want to move forward, and it will be interesting to see what we can accomplish.”

Torkelson said one of his top local priorities centers on providing counties the opportunity to obtain modernized software so they can reliably implement social programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. Currently, counties are seeing hours of wasted staff time as they are trying to grapple with software that is no longer reliable.

But Torkelson said there is one big problem: money. Minnesota has a looming budget deficit in the next biennium, and increasing taxes and spending will not be on the table. In order to fund any new spending, program reductions will need to be made elsewhere.

As always, Rep. Torkelson invites you to share your legislative thoughts and questions. He can be reached at 651.296.9303 or at rep.paul.torkelson@house.mn.gov.