2026 Policy Agenda

The Star ACT (Senator Omar Fateh and Rep. Sandra Feist)

The STAR Act, which stands for "Safety, Trust and Respect," advocates for strong prohibitions on state resources being used to perform federal immigration duties and put limits on how federal agents, like ICE, can operate in Minnesota to ensure that places like schools, courthouses, and hospitals remain safe for our immigrant neighbors. With all the terror and trauma caused by Operation Metro Surge and the continuing Operation PARRIS, this will be a vital legislative session for our state lawmakers to stand up for the rights of noncitizen Minnesotans.  

One of the bills in the STAR ACT would prohibit state, county, and local government units from entering into certain immigration enforcement agreements; and termination of certain existing immigration enforcement agreements required (Senator Clare Oumou and Rep. Athena Hollins). This bill would stop state and local governments from partnering with the federal government to enforce civil immigration laws. That includes formal agreements where local officers help carry out federal immigration duties.

Repeal the Anti-Boycott Laws passed in 2017 (Senator Sandy Pappas and Rep. Kristi Pursell) 

This bill will repeal two Minnesota laws passed in 2017 that require anyone who wants a contract with the state (whether a small business, a nonprofit, or an independent contractor) to sign a pledge saying you are not boycotting Israel and that you will not in the future. If you do not sign that pledge, you are denied the contract.

Constitutional Amendment for Housing (Senator Zaynab Mohamed and Rep. Michael Howard) 

This bill will give Minnesotans the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to establish dedicated predictable funding for homes. The amendment would increase the sales tax rate by three-eighths of one percent, with funds dedicated to homeownership, rental opportunity, and household stability. 

Minnesota Constitutional Remedies Act (Senator Omar Fateh, Senator Bobby Joe Champion, and REp. Jamie Long)

This bill will establish a state-level legal right for Minnesotans to sue federal officials in Minnesota state court if those officials violate their constitutional or civil rights. Under current Minnesota law there is not a clear path for suing federal agents for rights violations in state court since federal immunity doctrines often make it difficult or impossible. This bill essentially gives Minnesotans a way to seek monetary damages and legal remedies in state court for harm caused by unconstitutional federal conduct. 

Possession of Semiautomatic Military-style Assault Weapons Banishment (Senator Zaynab Mohamed & Rep. Emma Greenman)

This bill is essentially a statewide ban on possessing certain semiautomatic guns that have military-style features or large capacity magazines. If the firearm meets the bill’s definition of a “semiautomatic military-style assault weapon,” you could not legally own or possess it in Minnesota after the law takes effect, unless you fall under an exemption. 

Communities across Minnesota are demanding action to address the epidemic of gun violence, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines is a critical step forward. These weapons of war are designed to inflict maximum harm in seconds, turning everyday places like schools, workplaces, houses of worship, and neighborhood gatherings into scenes of tragedy. High-capacity magazines only amplify that danger by allowing shooters to fire dozens of rounds without reloading, increasing casualties, and limiting opportunities for victims to escape or for bystanders to intervene.

The Equal Rights Amendment Act (Senator Mary Kunesh & Rep. Leigh Finke)

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Act would guarantee equal rights under Minnesota law for everyone, leaving no one behind. It would ensure that decisions about pregnancy and healthcare are protected from government interference, guarantee that Minnesotans with disabilities receive equal protection under the law, and combat racial discrimination by offering stronger legal recourse against state-sanctioned racial injustice and inequality.

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