March 26, 2026
A bill that would establish a statewide Office of Gun Violence Prevention tasked with researching and reducing gun violence and firearm-related deaths, leading public health awareness campaigns, and serving as a resource for policymakers was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 24.
Beth Elfstrand, MD, a member of the MMA Board of Trustees, testified on behalf of the MMA in support of SF 513 (Mann, DFL – Edina), emphasizing the importance of coordinated, data-driven approaches to firearm safety.
“Having a centralized office of gun violence prevention would help align domestic violence and suicide prevention programs with maternal health initiatives, so that they are all working together,” Elfstrand said. “But without robust data, we cannot design the interventions that protect pregnant and postpartum patients. Carefully designed campaigns can reduce stigma while promoting safety. For the health and safety of Minnesota mothers and families, I urge your support for this bill.”
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
The House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee heard firearm legislation on March 24 related to ghost guns. HF 3407 (Pinto, DFL – St. Paul) would ban the sale and possession of “ghost guns,” which are firearms that are untraceable because they are sold as unfinished kits or lack serial numbers.
Proponents of the bill argue that ghost guns circumvent standard background checks and pose a growing public safety risk, as law enforcement cannot trace these weapons when used in crimes. HF 3407 seeks to close this loophole, ensuring all firearms are registered, traceable, and subject to background checks under existing law.
HF 3407 failed on a party-line vote.
November 5, 2026
Minnesota Democrats had a strong showing on Election Day, November 3, expanding their majority in the Senate, and breaking the two-year tie in the House to regain control of both chambers.
November 5, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported on October 29 that the number of measles cases in Minnesota for 2026 has reached a total of 80 cases — the most the state has seen in a single year since 1990.
November 5, 2026
On October 29, a federal judge ruled that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) exceeded its authority when it restricted the definition of medical frailty – for the purpose of Medicaid work requirement exemptions– beyond the language in statute H.R. 1 (i.e., the One Big Beautiful Bill Act).