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Legislative Update
Dear Neighbor,
We had an extremely busy week here at the legislature as we considered and voted on over 30 bills. This is what much of our work looks like now that committee deadlines have passed and many of our committees are no longer meeting. The focus has shifted almost entirely to the House floor, where we are working through bills that are ready for final action. With the House evenly divided, we are very focused on passing the bills that we can, which means finding common ground and advancing proposals that have broad, bipartisan support. That often looks like more targeted, single-subject bills that address real issues without adding new costs or unnecessary complexity. It also means a lot of time spent working through details, having conversations across the aisle, and making sure the bills we bring forward can actually get across the finish line. This pace will continue as we move closer to the end of session and work to deliver results that are practical, responsible, and focused on the needs of Minnesotans.
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Clarifying HF3762
On Monday, we considered seventeen (17) bills during our floor session. While the topics of these bills varied significantly, HF 3762 (Expungement Access for Chief Law Enforcement Officers) seemed to cause a little bit of a dustup on social media.
Some people are concerned that HF 3762 is an anti-2nd Amendment bill, and some people believe it is a pro-2nd Amendment bill for criminals. So, what does HF 3762 really do?
To answer that question, we need to look at the Minnesota Expungement Laws (609A.01 – 609A.06). This series of statues provides the opportunity for a second chance to some Minnesotans who had a brush with the law and then they qualified for their criminal record to be expunged. However, the act of expunging their criminal record can overly restrict the ability of a Sheriff or Police Chief to perform a thorough and complete investigation pursuant to 624.7131, subd (2); 624.7132, subd (2); or 624.714, subd (4), to determine if a person is eligible to purchase, receive, or carry a firearm.
HF 3762 enables our Sheriff or Police Chief to perform a thorough and complete investigation by allowing full access to an expunged criminal record prior to making a decision on the requested firearms permit. In addition, it only allows access to these individuals and prevents access to anyone else. Remember, we depend on our Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to ensure Public Safety. This bill enables a firearms permit decision based on evaluating the complete picture of the individual being considered for the permit. Preserving our 2nd Amendment rights for lawful possession of firearms is the goal of this legislation and I believe it helps our Sheriffs and Police Chiefs make those important decisions.
The bill passed off the House floor on Monday and is being moved through the Senate at this time.
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Clarifying the Recent Congressional Decision re: Boundary Waters
The recently passed Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution in Congress has sparked fierce conversation about mining in Northern Minnesota, especially in areas near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. One of the most common misconceptions is that this action opens the Boundary Waters itself to mining. That is not true. The Boundary Waters, and surrounding buffer zones, remain permanently protected as a federally designated wilderness area where mining and industrial development are not allowed. The CRA instead overturns a federal mineral withdrawal (mining ban) that had restricted leasing on certain lands outside the wilderness boundary, primarily in portions of the Superior National Forest. The federal mineral withdrawal (mining ban) was implemented by the Department of Interior, not Congress. In effect, the CRA tells the Department of Interior that they overstepped their authority with their rulemaking. Thus, the CRA decision nullifies the Department of Interior rule, restoring a long-standing permitting process and allowing projects to be evaluated under existing environmental review laws (both Federal and State of Minnesota), rather than imposing a blanket prohibition. If mining is permitted after an approved set of permits, we will create jobs, we will restore domestic mineral production, and we will derive economic benefits for local communities. The CRA that was passed does not automatically allow mining projects in the previously banned area, does not allow mining in the BWCA, and will not lead to contamination of water and nature due to stringent environmental standards of mining today. This Congressional vote just lifted the blanket ban and is allowing consideration for future projects, which will be clean and safe, that will provide a lot of economic benefit for the Iron Range, Minnesota, and our Nation.
If you have any questions on this matter, please reach out and my team will work to find an answer for you. We have many great resources here at the legislature, whether that be fellow members or other partners, that can answer many questions on this topic.
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Coffee with Tom
Coffee with Tom is now on break until after the legislative session concludes.
Please note that we will not host Coffee with Tom during the month of May due to our uncertain legislative schedule. As we move towards the end of session on May 17th, 2026, we could be in-session all seven days of the week.
Currently, I am planning to host Coffee with Tom at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 5th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm.
Next, I am planning to host Coffee with Tom at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 12th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm.
Thank you for your support and feedback, and please reach out if you need assistance in the meantime!
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I want to hear you
I am always here to listens to concerns or ideas of my constituents. I can be reached via email rep.tom.sexton@house.mn.gov or phone 651-296-5368.
 If you would like to contact Rep. Sexton, DO NOT reply to this email. Please reach out directly to rep.tom.sexton@house.mn.gov.
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