State Rep. Rick Hansen briefs council on legislative timing and drafts for Seventieth Street interchange
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Summary
State Representative Rick Hansen told the council the Minnesota Legislature reconvenes Feb. 17, 2026, and urged early drafting of bills. Hansen and the mayor have secured a draft bill for a Seventieth Street interchange and encouraged the council to adopt a supporting resolution before hearings.
State Representative Rick Hansen visited the Oct. 20 St. Paul Park council meeting to outline the upcoming legislative session and to describe a preliminary bill draft for a Seventieth Street interchange that he and the mayor are preparing for introduction.
Hansen, a member of the Capital Investment Committee, said the legislature will return on Feb. 17, 2026, and emphasized that late‑year and pre‑session is a good time to develop and refine bill language with nonpartisan legislative staff.
"Now is actually a very good time to get bills drafted. We're not in session. The staff are ready," Hansen said. He said the mayor and staff had contacted nonpartisan bill drafters and that a draft for a Seventieth Street interchange is available for city review.
Hansen recommended the city pass a resolution of support so local officials can testify and present unified positions when the bill receives a hearing. He also offered to continue monthly updates to the council while the legislative process proceeds.
Ending: Representative Hansen invited St. Paul Park leaders to work with his office and legislative staff on bill language and priorities ahead of the 2026 session; staff and the mayor plan to review the draft interchange bill and consider a city resolution of support.