From Taxes To Voting, Major Minnesota Laws Take Effect Jan. 1

ST. PAUL, MN — A wide-ranging slate of new Minnesota laws takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, bringing changes to elections, employment rules, taxes, environmental fees, public safety, and social services following action by the 2025 Legislature.

While dozens of new statutes were approved, several stand out for their broad impact on everyday Minnesotans:

Election And Voting Changes

Minnesotans requesting absentee ballots online will face new verification requirements. Applicants must provide both a Minnesota driver’s license or state ID number and the last four digits of their Social Security number, unless they certify they do not have one of those identifiers.

New rules also target unofficial election mailings. Any person or group sending absentee ballot applications or sample ballots must clearly state that the mailing is not an official government communication and that sample ballots cannot be used to vote.

Additional election-related changes include faster turnaround times for public information requests, new pronunciation requirements for candidate names, tighter rules on campaign finance reporting, and limits on how candidates may raise and spend money for inauguration and transition expenses.

Workplace And Labor Law Updates

Employers will be required to provide more clearly defined rest and meal breaks. Workers must receive at least a 15-minute rest break, or enough time to use the nearest convenient restroom, for every four consecutive hours worked. Employers must also provide a minimum 30-minute meal break for every six consecutive hours on the job.

The law replaces older language that required only “adequate” or “sufficient” break time.

Other labor-related changes strengthen workers’ compensation rules, tighten requirements around zero-estimated exposure insurance policies in construction, and expand the use of ignition interlock devices for repeat impaired driving offenders.

Taxes, Fees, And Environmental Changes

Several new laws raise fees tied to environmental regulation and outdoor recreation. Watercraft surcharges used to fund aquatic invasive species prevention will increase, with rates now tied to boat size, type, and use. Water-use permit application and processing fees are also increasing.

A separate tax bill raises Minnesota’s cannabis tax rate and eliminates a long-standing electricity sales tax exemption for data centers.

Hunters will see a notable policy shift as the state repeals the “shotgun zone” in southern Minnesota, allowing the use of all legal firearms for deer hunting statewide unless local counties adopt restrictions.

Health, Human Services, And Public Safety

A major human services funding law allocates nearly $17 billion to support programs administered by the Department of Human Services, while other health and human services legislation aims to slow spending growth while maintaining service levels.

Adult undocumented noncitizens will no longer be eligible for subsidized health insurance under a separate law taking effect in the new year.

Public safety and judiciary legislation funds courts, law enforcement, and corrections while also updating policies related to restitution, restorative justice confidentiality, and financial exploitation protections for vulnerable adults.

Housing, Infrastructure, And Capital Spending

Several large omnibus bills authorize billions in spending for housing, transportation, clean water projects, higher education, broadband expansion, energy programs, and veterans services.

Among them is a $700 million capital investment package funding roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and public facilities across Minnesota, along with additional housing and economic development investments.

What’s Next

Not all of the new laws take effect immediately, but many of the most consequential policy and funding changes begin Jan. 1, 2026. State agencies are expected to issue guidance in the coming months as implementation moves forward.

Minnesotans can find full summaries of all laws passed during the 2025 regular and special legislative sessions through House Public Information Services.