Final Capitol Watch Update

June 13th, 2025

Session Overview

The 94th Minnesota Legislature concluded its 2025 session with a complex and intensive finale, successfully averting a potential state government shutdown slated for July. Following negotiations, a special session convened on June 9–10, 2025, and several critical budget and policy bills were passed. The Minnesota House of Representatives adjourned shortly after 11:00 p.m. on June 9, while the Senate concluded proceedings at approximately 2:00 a.m. on June 10, formally closing the legislative session. 

Legislative Outcomes

The following budget and policy bills were enacted during the special session:

• HF1: Repeal of MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented adults.

• HF2: Health, children, and families finance and policy bill.

• HF3: Human services finance bill.

• HF4: Commerce finance and policy bill.

• HF5: K-12 education finance and policy bill.

• HF9: Tax finance and policy bill.

• HF14: Transportation finance and policy bill.

• HF16: Data center regulatory bill.

• HF17: General fund cash bonding bill.

• HF18: Capital investment bill.

• SF1: Omnibus higher education policy and appropriations bill.

• SF2: Omnibus energy, utilities, environment, and climate policy and appropriations bill.

• SF3: Omnibus environment and natural resources appropriations bill.

• SF9: Legislative corrections bill.

• SF17: Omnibus jobs, labor, and economic development policy and appropriations bill.

K-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill (HF5)

The K-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill excludes the provisions that could have negatively impacted homeschooling. The bill also preserves funding for nonpublic pupil aid. Key provisions include:

• The permanent establishment of the short-call emergency substitute teacher pilot program, enhancing flexibility in addressing teacher shortages.

• Authorization for school districts to commence the academic year on or after September 1 for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years, accommodating late Labor Day occurrences.

• Permission for high school students to possess and administer opiate antagonists to peers.

• Allowance for substitute teachers to serve up to 10 consecutive days in a single assignment, with modified compensation requirements.

• Reductions in funding for transportation services for students with disabilities and library aid, reflecting budgetary adjustments.

Looking Ahead

Thank you to all who supported our advocacy efforts by calling and emailing your legislators to ensure the preservation of homeschooling freedoms in Minnesota. We will resume our Capitol monitoring and reporting for the 2026 session when the legislature convenes on February 17, 2026.