2026 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
Feature
Sen. Carla Nelson DISTRICT 24
Rep. Kim Hicks DISTRICT 25A
As you reflect on the 2026 legislative session, what legislation will have a significant impact on the Rochester area business community? The sensible, much needed $1.24 billion infrastructure bill will make a real difference
As you reflect on the 2026 legislative session, what legislation will have a significant impact on the Rochester area business community?
Truth be told, the 2026 legislative session was unremarkable. Minnesota Republicans used their power in the tied house to maintain the status quo of inaction. We could have done a lot more, especially around healthcare and human services as devastating cuts are handed down from the Trump Administration, but for the most part, those efforts were met with Republican opposition. What are your takeaways from the 2026 session? Democrats brought forward a slate of bills that were intentional, commonsense, and fiscally responsible. As a caucus, we were determined to move these bills through committee in good faith, always centering the voices of our communities. I successfully passed a bill to amend the Minnesota Human Rights Act to implement a reasonable process requirement for accommodating Minnesotans with disabilities in areas like housing, public services, education, and other public accommodations. Meanwhile, most Republicans refused to even acknowledge the pain and hurt Minnesotans have faced from the actions of the Federal government, and ALL Republicans refused to fall out of line with Republican leadership to actually do something about it.
here. Southeast Minnesota is rapidly outgrowing its roads, so this session was about rightsizing our transportation infrastructure to match how much our region has grown. That includes $8 million for new Highway 14 interchanges, over $3 million for road improvements in Stewartville, and specific funding for local roads, bridges, and township roads that keep rural areas connected. I am also proud that after years of work, we passed a study on lifting Minnesota's nuclear moratorium, which should be part of a safe, reliable, and affordable energy future for our state. What are your takeaways from the 2026 session? Some of our biggest wins, from fraud protections to infrastructure funding, came about because members from both parties were willing to sit down and find common ground. I am hopeful that the legislature can keep building on that bipartisan spirit going forward, because Rochester and the rest of Minnesota benefit far more from cooperation than from division.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the Representative's and Senator’s responses are the sole views of their own. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce or its members. The publication of the Representative's and Senator’s statements therein do not imply the expression of any endorsement whatsoever by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce or its members. At the time of publication, a response was not available from Rep. Andy Smith (District 25B).
AUGUST 2026 — ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE | 13
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