Legislative Update
 Dear friends,
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! Although winter decided she wasn’t quite done with us, I was grateful to return to the Capitol this week and be greeted by some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I hope you’re all able to enjoy the upper 60s this weekend—and fingers crossed this spring trend continues!
And this week we hit the ground running the moment we got back to the Capitol.
With just six weeks left in the legislative session, there’s no time to ease back in. On Thursday, we rolled out our 2027–2028 "Northstar Comeback", it’s a clear plan of what we will prioritize if House Republicans are voted into the majority come November. It’s built around the priorities I hear about most from folks back home.
First and foremost, it’s about protecting family budgets and delivering real relief where families need it most. That includes expanding property tax refunds, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, strengthening the dependent care credit to help families manage rising childcare costs, and creating a daycare cost subtraction to ease the burden on young parents. We’re also working to lower car tab fees—because I don’t know many people who look forward to that bill showing up each year.
We’re also focused on ensuring Minnesota taxpayer dollars are truly supporting Minnesota students by giving families more flexibility and control over education. Alongside that, we’re pushing to expand school safety funding so every student—whether in a public or private school—has access to a secure learning environment where they can focus, learn, and thrive.
The second pillar is making government work for Minnesotans again. That starts with cracking down on fraud by creating an Office of the Inspector General and modernizing outdated systems (some of which are over 40 years old) that counties rely on to administer programs like SNAP and Medicaid. If we’re serious about accountability, we need the tools to actually track where the money is going.
Lastly, we’re focused on building a strong, competitive economy that works for all of Minnesota. That includes aligning with federal tax policies that allow businesses to immediately expense research and development investments—something that helps drive innovation and job growth right here at home. We’re also supporting Section 179 conformity, which is a big deal for our farmers and small businesses by allowing them to deduct equipment purchases upfront, rather than over time.
And because Minnesota has always been a leader in forward-thinking industries, we’re also looking at incentives like a sustainable aviation fuel credit to keep us competitive in emerging markets.
At the end of the day, this proposal comes down to a simple idea: government should be responsible, accountable, and focused on the people it serves—not the other way around.
We’ve got a lot of work ahead in these final weeks, but I’ll keep pushing for policies that make life more affordable, strengthen our communities, and keep Minnesota moving in the right direction.
Stay tuned… it’s going to be a busy finish.
Restoring Common Sense to Girls’ Athletics
 On Tuesday, we took up an urgency on the House floor to pass three pieces of legislation aimed at preserving safe and fair athletic competition for biological females across Minnesota. Unfortunately, all three proposals were blocked.
This issue is not just being debated here at home, it’s getting national and even international attention. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently suing Minnesota for failing to protect girls’ sports and women-only spaces. At the same time, the International Olympic Committee has announced that beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games, athletes who have gone through male puberty will not be eligible to compete in women’s events.
In just one year, organizations across the country, and around the world, are recognizing what most Minnesotans already know: girls deserve a fair and equal opportunity to compete, without biological differences giving certain athletes an unfair advantage. It really is that simple—it’s just common sense.
You may also remember last year’s visit from Riley Gaines, who came to Minnesota in support of Rep. Peggy Scott’s House File 12. That conversation has only grown more relevant since.
We reintroduced that bill this week, the Preserving Girls’ Sports Act (H.F. 12), is about as straightforward as it gets—girls’ sports should be for girls. It ensures female student-athletes can compete on a level playing field, something generations of women fought hard to achieve.
Here in Minnesota, however, the legal landscape has shifted. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled last fall that excluding males from female sports could be considered “public accommodation” discrimination, and the Minnesota State High School League has refused to comply with federal guidance on this issue. And this isn’t just theoretical. Last spring, a male-born pitcher led a girls’ softball team to a state championship in dominating fashion—raising real concerns among athletes, parents, and coaches about fairness on the field.
During debate this week, we even heard claims that biology itself is up for interpretation. I don’t think most Minnesotans would agree with that logic. There are clear, measurable differences between males and females, and ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear—it simply puts female athletes at a disadvantage.
Public opinion is also overwhelmingly on the side of fairness. A New York Times poll found that 79% of Americans—and 67% of Democrats—support limiting girls’ sports to biological females. Most parents and communities support keeping girls’ sports female-only for both fairness and safety.
For decades, Title IX has been about expanding opportunities for women and girls, not erasing them. This legislation was about protecting that progress and ensuring that female athletes in Minnesota continue to have a fair shot, not just to compete, but to succeed. I will keep fighting to restore fairness and protect opportunities for girls across Minnesota.
Investing in Our Land, Water, and Outdoor Heritage
I have an exciting opportunity to share for all of the conservationists, hunters, and outdoor enthusiists across our district!
A total of $160 million in grant funding is now available through the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council to support projects that restore, protect, and improve Minnesota’s wildlife habitat.
This funding is a excellent fit for our area—whether it’s improving deer habitat, restoring wetlands for waterfowl, protecting forest land, or enhancing habitat for fish and game. These are the kinds of investments that support not only our natural resources, but also our favorite outdoor traditions, and overall way of life here in Minnesota.
Since the program began, it has helped restore and protect over 1.3 million acres across the state, benefiting both rural and urban communities.
The deadline to apply is May 22, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
If you’re part of a conservation group, local government, or organization—or even if you’re a landowner with a project idea—I strongly encourage you to take a look. Even if you’re not sure your idea qualifies, there are folks ready to help guide you through the process.
You can learn more or apply here: www.lsohc.mn.gov
Let’s make sure our district continues to lead when it comes to protecting the land and resources that make this such a special place to call home!
Stay Connected!
As we head into the final few weeks of session, your thoughts, questions, and ideas are more important than ever! These last few weeks are when the real work happens—and your input is what keeps me motivated and focused on what matters most to you. Whether you’re curious about the bills we’re working on or have something else on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to listen and to work on solutions that reflect your priorities.
You can always connect with me by phone at 651.296.0518 or email at rep.nathan.nelson@house.mn.gov.
It’s truly an honor to represent you at the Capitol, and together, we’re building a brighter future for Minnesota—one conversation at a time.
Sincerely,
—Representative Nathan Nelson
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