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Committee Hears Request for $2 million to Support 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony in support of a $2 million general fund request to support athlete housing, dining, athlete-experience programming and unified work initiatives tied to the Special Olympics USA Games coming to Minnesota in June 2026; the committee laid the bill over.
Representative Wayne Johnson presented House File 2258 to the committee, requesting $2,000,000 to support the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which will be held in Minnesota in June 2026. Testimony described the Games as the largest athletic event in the country that year and as a platform for competitive sports and broader humanitarian priorities including athlete health and wellness, youth inclusion and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Christie Sovereign, CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, told the committee the request aims to support athlete housing and dining, athlete experience programming and a set of unified-work initiatives intended to boost employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sovereign said just 18.5% of people with intellectual disability are employed to the level of their ability, and the Games’ programming includes employer forums, training for athletes on resumes and interviews, and a planned pop-up store at Mall of America to provide unified work opportunities.
Eric Anderson, a longtime Special Olympics Minnesota athlete and staff member, testified about the importance of employment opportunities and described the Games as a chance to “shine a light on abilities” and advance inclusive employment practices.
Committee members asked what the $2,000,000 would pay for and what would happen if state funds are not available. Sovereign answered that approximately $1.5 million of the request would come from the general fund for athlete housing, dining and athlete-experience costs, while roughly $500,000 would support the unified work activities; she added that the Games’ total budget will rely heavily on private fundraising (the witness said about 90% of the budget is expected to be privately raised) and that, if state dollars fell short, organizers would prioritize essential athlete needs and reduce some legacy and off-field events or activities.
Representative Wayne Johnson’s bill was laid over for further consideration.
