What To Expect in the Final Three Weeks of Legislative Session

There is no requirement to pass a budget this year, so what does the Legislature need to accomplish before adjournment?

With less than three weeks remaining in the 2026 legislative session, the House and Senate are working through a range of proposals. Still, there is widespread speculation about what will pass before final adjournment on May 18.

Legislative leaders say negotiations are focused on three areas: support for Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), fraud prevention measures, and a bonding bill.

How those efforts will shake out remains unclear. The Senate has been moving quickly, passing omnibus policy bills, and assembling an omnibus supplemental budget bill. Typically, the House would advance parallel or competing proposals. This year, however, few omnibus bills have emerged from the House. With the an even split of DFL and Republican members in that chamber, and no requirement to pass a budget, it is uncertain how the House will respond to the Senate’s work.

Funding proposals for HCMC

Lawmakers are considering multiple proposals to fund Hennepin County Medical Center.

One proposal, HF 4841/SF 4986, would increase a Hennepin County sales tax created for the development, construction, and public infrastructure of Target Field. Sponsored by Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL- Minneapolis) and Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), the plan would direct a portion of the revenue to grants for HCMC in downtown Minneapolis as well as North Memorial Health hospitals in Robbinsdale and Maple Grove.

The House proposal would raise the tax from .15% to 1%, generating an estimated $340 million annually. The Senate version would increase the tax to .25%, raising about $85 million per year.

Supporters argue HCMC serves as a statewide asset. The Senate has also proposed $300 million in hospital stabilization funding, with $150 million designated for HCMC and the remainder available for hospitals across the state.

Fraud prevention efforts continue

Last year, the Senate passed SF 856 (Sen. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights), which would create an Office of Inspector General.

This bill has bipartisan support, though lawmakers continue to debate details. It remains in the  committee process and is awaiting a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee.

Bonding bill still taking shape

Even-numbered years are typically bonding years, when the Legislature passes a capital investment bill — though, lawmakers approved a $700 million bonding package last year.

This session, both the House and Senate capital investment committees have heard proposals from local communities and state agencies. However, legislative leaders have not set a budget target, and the neither chamber has released a bonding proposal yet.

A bonding bill is often the last bill passed by the Legislature before adjournment.

Timeline to adjournment

So far in the 2026 session, the Legislature has sent 12 bills to Gov. Tim Walz.

The final day of session is May 18, though all legislation must be passed on or before May 17. Because there is no requirement to pass a budget this year and it is an election year, a special session is unlikely.

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