[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6088858,"mediaKeyId","2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924","parentId",2878970,"title","Panel advances broad HOA reform bill after months of stakeholder work; lawmakers keep negotiating key details","audioSeconds",1685,"startMs",8193000,"endMs",9878000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924&start=8193&end=9878","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924/thumbnail_8193000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088858/Minnesota/Panel-advances-broad-HOA-reform-bill-after-months-of-stakeholder-work-lawmakers-keep-negotiating-key-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088858-d0d7de5471c85cc82ea64ec6ba86e883/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443516&Signature=StU8Mqw57xZDaCDhAX1sPSNvSUlg4UFoEGxgvMja8Kpma~u8aBilBwaOB-sa~sOyZmHECfWIb7x3bGpbSbmuk43fscPEjpXd3Ss0~LA1zFBh4Z18ktequD98gXjRiWxX94tVAhaOiTIk4J~WglodIvpp9I98uhyf~phzpUpcubDDyUQAq6A7Tnq9z8sWbNUAM30vzU51LH2D07S4WSC549IjmLUPI4lGXwf6ZOL6QRFimg5eXBhFVBGvz39wu4pUPCQn~xxEAGAnC5BFPcoE0kyqZnf2LtlFMxYk1EpWIhdnt5QPNqqnbewAB9kbGhSOtGQzJIu6xZoM1p97q6~E-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Senate","date","2025-04-03T18:55:28Z","article","Senators advanced a comprehensive bill on common‑interest communities and homeowners associations that committee authors said is the product of a yearlong bipartisan, bicameral work group and multiple public listening sessions.

Senate File 1750 (first engrossment with A12 amendment) would make a wide range of changes to Minnesota’s Common Interest Community (CIC) law: require annual disclosure of board contracts, tighten board‑member residency requirements, require elections at least every three years, create clearer meeting-notice rules for small associations, and expand homeowner remedies and fines procedures in some circumstances. The amendment adopted in committee preserved current proxy‑voting practice, raised the monetary threshold for certain conflict‑of‑interest reporting, and adjusted caps and timelines for collections and foreclosures.

Authors said the package is intended as consumer protection, addressing complaints that some HOAs lack transparency or take unduly punitive enforcement actions. Senator Lucero and Senator Pa, who co‑authored the measure in the Senate and served on the 20‑member work group, described outreach across the state and said the A12 amendment resolves many earlier concerns while leaving a few items still under negotiation.

Stakeholders voiced mixed reactions. Legal Aid (represented by Ron Elwood) praised the bipartisan process and urged lawmakers to keep the proposal moving; the Minnesota Bankers Association indicated some prior concerns were addressed in the amendment. Property managers and management‑company representatives warned that some proposed restrictions (notably language that would have barred certain affiliated contracting) could put management businesses and related vendor services at risk if drafted too broadly. Management companies said many of the services they and their branded construction/maintenance affiliates provide are delivered under separate contracts and that prohibiting or unduly restricting those arrangements could reduce vendor choice and increase costs for associations.

Homeowner witnesses said they want tighter limits on excessive fees and clearer dispute processes. Several owners and community volunteers described cases where fines escalated and estoppel fees (documents required for home sales) were high enough to delay closings. Opponents, including some attorneys who represent owners and associations, warned that limits on attorney fees and caps on certain remedies could make it impractical for associations to recover lawful costs for collections and repair projects, shifting burden to other owners.

Committee debate focused on several unresolved points:
- Attorney fees and foreclosure mechanics: Members questioned whether the bill’s new caps and references to mortgage‑foreclosure fee schedules would unintentionally underfund foreclosure or collection efforts for associations and whether the draft creates contradictory provisions that need harmonizing.
- Contracting/conflict of interest: Sponsors said the intent is to stop undisclosed self‑dealing (for example, management companies awarding work to construction affiliates without competitive bidding) and to increase transparency; several witnesses asked for narrower language to avoid unintentionally banning ordinary management arrangements.
- Fines and enforcement: The bill narrows some board authority on fines while allowing higher penalties for serious or repeated violations; stakeholders debated the right balance between homeowner protections and association fiscal responsibility.

Committee members adopted a number of amendments during the hearing (including Senator Croon’s technical amendment on lien priority) and ultimately recommended the bill for passage and referral to the Senate floor after the A12 and A9 (article deletion) amendments were adopted. Sponsors said they will continue negotiating remaining drafting points (notably the contracting/conflict language and attorney‑fee/foreclosure mechanics) as the bill moves forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 04/04/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senators advanced a wide‑ranging bill to reform homeowners associations and common‑interest community law after more than a year of bipartisan stakeholder work, while leaving several key mechanics subject to further negotiation.","taxTitle","Judiciary and Public Safety, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Minnesota","taxId",15810,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088862,"Committee approves amendments extending workplace and housing protections for medical cannabis patients",818,4221000,5039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924&start=4221&end=5039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924/thumbnail_4221000.jpg","/articles/6088862/Minnesota/Committee-approves-amendments-extending-workplace-and-housing-protections-for-medical-cannabis-patients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088862-2e06697683c54346ae85b361f44bd7d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443516&Signature=ArqUUYQA2NBHjrgop9SIsmZ6ar-FYvKXXR5ZtnBS8v3fwhntTiLDrFkW~r4LlPpBgZ7CCBA49-AKHIKjw8QPg8lC7wjP9OpNKnARka10slikVFkZmXha8EI~5ZUXEaUfT-an6YZkVLgbwSZcNPJ0-YW8hVYn8B5HTxA7Q9OYFBo~NcCYz9Z4mSFMya-SFd6QDkQVQ8v4rDv00HWBumpbDNz~fOToLeh2w2BXisHlERnbSQ5pb6hKazT8bqIwnZvlsimaKaXsfIZVEkhV8EKTFfxDkqBysgXnvhaZM00x5NJl2FZkR~~1SKhhF7tmSvU1e9i4BdIItNe-NfLkadVnWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee reviewed provisions of Senate File 2371 that extend legal protections for enrolled medical cannabis patients and individuals participating in tribal medical cannabis programs.

Sponsor Senator Dibble described the measure as an agency bill from the Office of Cannabis Management meant to harmonize protections for medical patients with other state law and to ensure patients are not subject to penalties or disciplinary actions solely because of enrollment in a medical program.

Eric Taubel, interim director for the Office of Cannabis Management, told the committee the office receives about 25 emails a week from enrolled patients reporting problems with housing, employment or education related to their program status. The language adopted by the committee would bar occupational licensing boards, schools and landlords from taking adverse action based only on program enrollment, while preserving the ability to act on legitimate non‑status reasons (for example, violations of workplace safety rules or lease terms).

The bill also increases civil remedies for violations and makes it easier for patients to seek injunctive relief; it raises penalties in certain cases to a $1,000 fine per violation and adds injunctive remedies to prevent or end illicit conduct. Committee members questioned how the protections interact with existing indoor-smoking restrictions and building rules. Taubel noted Minnesota law already restricts smoking/vaping cannabis in multi‑family dwellings but provides an exception for medical patients; the bill’s protections address status-based discrimination rather than permitted conduct on a property.

After discussion the committee voted to recommend Senate File 2371 be returned to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection with technical clarifications. The committee’s action was framed as ensuring medical patients retain access to housing and basic protections while preserving landlords’ and employers’ ability to enforce neutral, content‑neutral rules tied to safety or building standards.","Senate File 2371 clarifies that enrolled medical cannabis patients should not face adverse actions in employment, housing or education solely for their status; the committee sent the measure back to Commerce after adopting clarifying language.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088867,"Committee considers expanding alert system to include missing vulnerable children and adults",1009,3190000,4199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924&start=3190&end=4199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924/thumbnail_3190000.jpg","/articles/6088867/Minnesota/Committee-considers-expanding-alert-system-to-include-missing-vulnerable-children-and-adults","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088867-a19464202d9bcb72af39477f65a06ad3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443516&Signature=Qlu47RL8yWt4laKkS0gXR8wkxix3AEEj6A9iTNQ-yhyo28Tejz6Ly8sjAV1BEhi7FI2hwxrsSAyzcluBD365i1~za8D07woNL2O2swm3ZkVwA~VDiLxfWHSQgbPnxS4C6j-HWL4p9Ln808S2sI5bnU8NqAFIZZRiIKb-4GhKJw7JIahbW3bxbwHyfd1NCw00J4872sdIcHh9oZhU5Widw56jpXi1VWsoc~YyUjYVQPam~xnlSCkJir-eQzT0pKWE3zojsH3MVFLj43OB0uSKxBWVIv1m4l8A2cy2ht85Yqlm-JDbTM3k3vNwS0fZecy9DT5kYTk1l8xsRE3ck5buwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on Senate File 3007, a bill to expand the state’s missing-person alert system to include children and adults who are vulnerable because of cognitive impairment, autism or other conditions that make elopement likely and deadly.

Senator Hoffman, sponsor of the bill, said the proposal would modify definitions of “missing” and “endangered” persons in state statute to include people diagnosed with dementia, traumatic brain injury and other cognitive impairments. Supporters argued the public and local alert infrastructure could save lives when vulnerable people elope and are at risk around bodies of water.

Maren Christensen Hofer, executive director of the Multicultural Autism Action Network and a parent of an autistic child, described recent drownings and told the committee autistic children are at dramatically higher risk of fatal drowning than their non‑disabled peers. Anam Alhamouri from CARE (Council on American‑Islamic Relations) noted a high prevalence of autism in parts of the Somali community and urged the committee to expand Silver Alert protocols to protect children with disabilities.

Committee members discussed scope and operational questions. Senator Hoffman said an advisory board provision in the draft would guide commissioners on public notification thresholds and protocols. Several senators asked whether adding an advisory group would trigger rule‑making referral to the state and local government committee; counsel confirmed that rulemaking and certain policy elements could move the bill to additional committees.

Sponsors agreed to remove or modify two sections (including the advisory‑board and policy sections) in committee to allow the bill’s substantive intent to be laid over for possible inclusion in another omnibus vehicle; the committee adopted a motion to delete sections 2 and 3 and then laid the bill over for possible inclusion.

Supporters said the legislation is not a silver-bullet but could provide a public-notification tool for community members, faith-based organizations and first responders to find vulnerable people more quickly in life‑threatening situations. Committee members asked the sponsor to continue work on alert thresholds and procedures to avoid overuse and public saturation that could blunt the system’s effectiveness.","Senate File 3007 would expand Minnesota’s alert system to notify the public when vulnerable people — including children with autism, elderly people with dementia and people with traumatic brain injuries — go missing. Sponsors and advocates argued the change could help locate those at high risk of elopement and drowning.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088871,"Committee hears bill to codify process for changing birth certificate gender markers",408,1602000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924&start=1602&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924/thumbnail_1602000.jpg","/articles/6088871/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bill-to-codify-process-for-changing-birth-certificate-gender-markers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088871-f43a1d76351491d172bc19ab8192ee44/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443516&Signature=KeEm~H5ob~hvEBrwqsWA99TFRLvkL1GsrglT4vfcbC6yCykp1hX1i6p5XO~aizUb~raQOHu-ahHNtSmGdDsENVANbZQigDAobVN3owU0WghnvMQbjVN~3nJPJ9WIl-SZH~bGjZAk9dxG0yNSOeRl5ONPw9k2BYpPTdfyx9cYPzF4~kDag6rcjRHdOKSFLFEKCGC8-JpFuMJRU0q4-k3zxWJtndhFBFcsfItFIZSIzIxWUWlm8SqPHjxU2u6mAHVoVE8GlZ4a2y0ITHyMAO2WrLR9ZxPVzj-7Zni5jK9ey~1z77MCC~994nKYOrQ9nxLM0wJyMNIM3F~EpwdJfZyI0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee reviewed Senate File 3018, a bill that would codify Minnesota’s existing practice for changing gender markers on birth records and clarify procedures for individuals born outside Minnesota to have their Minnesota court orders reflected on out-of-state birth records.

Supporters said codifying the practice would protect people who have completed a legal gender change from losing protections when administrative rules are changed. Testifiers described the change as a privacy and safety measure for transgender and gender-diverse Minnesotans.

Representative Fisher, participating remotely, described a constituent’s difficulty obtaining concordant birth records after transition and said a statutory process would help portability of orders across state lines. Doctor Celeste Noether (testifier) said a court-ordered change on a Minnesota record gave her privacy and safety after transitioning from another state; she urged lawmakers to preserve that route by statute.

Committee members focused discussion on how a Minnesota court order could practically require or induce another state’s vital records agency to amend its records. Sponsor Senator Ummavar Baden acknowledged a Minnesota court could not compel an out-of-state agency; the bill’s language, she said, is intended to create a clear record that courts can supply when petitioners seek changes in their birth state.

Members also raised concerns about whether the bill should apply to minors. Senator Croon and others questioned whether a statutory change that allows a minor’s birth certificate gender marker to be changed by a guardian or “next of kin” warrants stricter definition and review. Counsel noted the bill uses existing statutory language on who may petition for minors, and that “next of kin” is not specifically defined in chapter 259, leaving courts to determine the term under probate and common law.

Senators discussed whether the statute should mirror all name-change procedural protections or create a separate statutory section for birth-record gender-marker changes; several members suggested carving out a distinct section rather than shoehorning the policy into the existing name-change chapter. The committee agreed to lay the bill over for further work and directed sponsors to return with clarifying language on out-of-state enforcement and the role of minors and guardians.

The hearing included multiple personal testimonies and questions about judicial orders, data privacy and cross‑jurisdictional recognition. Committee members emphasized the need to avoid statutory language that is unenforceable against other states while still offering petitioners a clear and stable legal pathway in Minnesota.","Senate File 3018 would codify Minnesota’s current practice for changing gender markers on birth records, clarify procedures for out-of-state births and add statutory protections supporters say would prevent administrative changes from being rescinded by future rulemaking.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088876,"Minnesota panel backs bill letting volunteers train service dogs in HOA homes",747,776000,1523000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924&start=776&end=1523","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878970-e5a4f82e95c0d47957111f46556d9924/thumbnail_776000.jpg","/articles/6088876/Minnesota/Minnesota-panel-backs-bill-letting-volunteers-train-service-dogs-in-HOA-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088876-f40bf6f98a6326c22e54fc905449660c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443516&Signature=mdR4X8FORlXi6KMl0bxUfb2vjMVIRdAYykMIc1tXyjXmjlHs-hxSl4JQI-XiDR5WAakOBLT1hB6EeMNKwHAnm7d3SpHrDadSIPxqSyeKukekuQN3R6MeoXd0Sv814XYwTy6EgwGEuMdVOul3wi48unh~ph53TOQP45btwxI36Dv3NaKa9-9gv6miXenFG-6O4bEZNy3Sw3l~yQlgth6G5wWa2-tsJq2n2zZF7IrKjbKUWUlsP9KOCqWtMGIwIVfGPtiyV~UlkDVQQYYgUiGdQ8LyQFXTPaowuXJ~MTKiqD1HG-Okfkd0AsjVvZjT1Cs5Uhs1q0wIQSYtWaJH9k7h8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Minnesota Senate committee on Thursday approved House File 688, a measure to prevent homeowners associations from prohibiting or charging fees when volunteers host service dogs in training for Assistance Dogs International–affiliated organizations.

Committee members heard that assistance dog groups use long-term volunteer raisers to socialize and train dogs for people with mobility limits, seizure disorders, deafness, diabetes and autism. Supporters said the change would align housing rules with existing protections for fully trained assistance dogs and expand the volunteer pool that organizations rely on.

Jeff Johnson, executive director of Can Do Canines, told the committee the group relies on more than 1,000 volunteers and estimates it costs about $45,000 to raise and train each service dog. “We give them away free of charge because few of our clients could even come close to affording that,” Johnson said. He described dogs’ multi-year training timeline and said some volunteers host dogs for months or years.

Senators asked whether the bill would override landlord-tenant leases. Johnson and the bill sponsor said the measure is intended to cover homeowners associations that have rules prohibiting animals or imposing size limits; it was not drafted to directly alter unrelated private lease terms. Senator Loomer and others noted the bill allows a landlord or HOA board to require written certification from the organization supervising the training to verify the animal is legitimately enrolled in an Assistance Dogs International program.

Sponsor statements emphasized the bill does not change existing rights for people who use fully trained assistance dogs; it extends similar housing access to dogs actively enrolled in training supervised by the certified organizations. The committee recorded a voice vote to send the measure to the Senate floor; the motion to refer House File 688 to the floor was moved by Senator Westland and passed without recorded roll-call votes.

If enacted, the bill would add homeowners associations to statutory provisions that currently protect active service dogs from housing restrictions and make “dogs in training” part of the protected category when the training is done through ADI-certified organizations. Supporters said the change would allow groups such as Can Do Canines to recruit more volunteer raisers and place more dogs with people who need them.

Opponents or unanswered questions at the hearing focused mainly on how the new rule would interact with unrelated lease provisions in rental properties. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly noted the statute allows verification by the overseeing organization and that some questions about tenant/landlord leases would require further legal review.

The committee action sends the bill to the Senate floor; lawmakers and stakeholders said follow-up work could clarify lease interactions and the certification process for organizations supervising training.","The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved House File 688 to bar homeowner associations from blocking service dogs in training from being housed in volunteer homes, with proponents saying it will expand volunteer capacity for Assistance Dogs International–affiliated organizations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel advances broad HOA reform bill after months of stakeholder work; lawmakers keep negotiating key details

Committee approves amendments extending workplace and housing protections for medical cannabis patients

Committee considers expanding alert system to include missing vulnerable children and adults

Committee hears bill to codify process for changing birth certificate gender markers

Minnesota panel backs bill letting volunteers train service dogs in HOA homes