Minnesota Senate approves package of noncontroversial bills on April 16

The Minnesota Senate passed several noncontroversial bills on April 16, 2026, advancing measures on veterans services, agency authority, mortgage postponements and an optometrist prescription clarification.

Sen. Kupec said House File 3544 modernizes the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ organizational structure, reclassifies the chief of staff position as a deputy commissioner of administration without creating a new hire, preserves the statutory requirement that the post be held by a Minnesota veteran and repeals an obsolete Environmental Hazards Information Assistance Act. The bill also aligns state veterans benefits eligibility with federal forfeiture determinations under U.S. Code 38. The secretary reported 66 yeas, zero nays; the bill passed and its title was agreed to.

Sen. Gustafson described House File 3467 as a clarification that the commissioner of veterans affairs may direct agency staff and resources toward existing partnerships serving veterans on issues such as food insecurity, homelessness and suicide prevention. He said the bill carries no fiscal note and is intended to remove legal ambiguity that slows rapid response. The roll call recorded 65 yeas and zero nays; the bill passed.

Sen. Pappas presented House File 3479, which clarifies homeowners’ rights to postpone a mortgage foreclosure sale in specific situations, addresses the length of statutory redemption periods when bankruptcy follows a postponement, and confirms heirs’ rights to postpone sale where a homeowner dies. Pappas said the bill was consulted on with Legal Aid, the Minnesota State Bar Association and several banking and title associations; the Senate recorded 65 yeas and zero nays and passed the bill.

Sen. Howe said Senate File 3637 clarifies that optometrists may prescribe certain window glazing materials, resolving confusion so people with permanent prescriptions need not renew them every two years. After floor remarks and expressions of appreciation for interim work on the issue, the secretary closed the roll with 66 yeas and zero nays; the bill passed.

Votes at a glance - House File 3544 (MDVA modernization) — Final passage: 66–0, passed. - House File 3467 (Veterans commissioner authority) — Final passage: 65–0, passed. - House File 3479 (Mortgage foreclosure postponement/clarification) — Final passage: 65–0, passed. - Senate File 3637 (Optometrist prescription clarification) — Final passage: 66–0, passed.

What happens next: Titles were agreed to for the bills on final passage; the transcript records final passage votes and sponsors’ floor explanations. No amendments or recorded opposition were noted on the floor during the third readings.