Dear Neighbor, 

Summer has officially arrived, and it's hard to believe June is already coming to a close. Across our communities, the season is in full swing with parades, county fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and countless local events that bring friends, families, and neighbors together. It's one of my favorite times of year to be out in the district, visiting with constituents, celebrating our communities, and seeing firsthand what makes Minnesota such a great place to call home. I hope you're able to enjoy everything summer has to offer, and as always, thank you for taking the time to read this update. 

New Minnesota Laws Take Effect July 1 

July 1 marks the effective date for many of the bills passed during this year's legislative session. While some laws take effect immediately after being signed by the governor, others are assigned a later effective date to give state agencies, schools, local governments, and businesses time to prepare for implementation. Additional laws passed this session will take effect on August 1 and other dates later this year and into 2027. 

If you'd like to see a complete list of new laws and their effective dates, the Minnesota House of Representatives has created a searchable database that can be found here: https://www.house.mn.gov/NewLaws/search 

Here are a few of the more notable changes taking effect on July 1: 

Anonymous Threat Reporting in Schools 

School districts and charter schools will begin preparing to implement anonymous threat reporting systems that allow students, parents, school staff, and community members to report potential safety threats through a mobile app, website, or hotline. The law also provides $4 million in grants to help schools develop and implement these systems, along with additional funding for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to support threat assessments and investigations. As someone who has consistently supported improving school safety, I believe giving schools another tool to identify potential threats before they become tragedies is a worthwhile investment. 

Read more: https://www.house.mn.gov/NewLaws/story/2025/5735 

County Human Services Technology Upgrades 

Several technology modernization projects begin moving forward on July 1 to help county and state human services agencies replace outdated computer systems, improve data sharing, strengthen fraud detection, and make services more efficient for Minnesotans. Modernizing these systems has been long overdue, and investing in better technology is an important step toward improving government accountability while helping counties serve residents more effectively. 

Read more: https://www.house.mn.gov/NewLaws/story/2026/5771 

February Forecast Budget Adjustments 

The supplemental budget approved this session also takes effect July 1. Much of this legislation updates state spending to reflect Minnesota's February budget forecast, including changes to education funding and health care programs. While many of these adjustments were necessary to account for rising costs, they also serve as another reminder that Minnesota continues to face a structural deficit. Going forward, we must make responsible budgeting a priority so spending does not continue to outpace revenue. 

Read more: https://www.house.mn.gov/NewLaws/search/2026 (Select "February forecast adjustments law features miscellaneous educational provisions.") 

Although many of these laws are administrative in nature, they will have real impacts on schools, local governments, and state agencies across Minnesota. Additional laws passed during the 2026 legislative session will take effect on August 1 and throughout the coming year, and I will continue to keep you informed about the changes that matter most to our communities. 

Now that the legislative session is over, we have entered the interim period, when much of our work shifts away from daily activity at the Capitol and back into our districts through meetings, community events, and constituent outreach. 

I want to make you aware of an important restriction that applies in even-numbered years. We are limited in sending unsolicited mass communications from our official capacity as legislators during the 60-day period before a general election. Because of that requirement, I will no longer be able to send these official email updates beginning July 17th. 

During that time, I plan to continue sharing updates primarily through my Facebook page, and you are always welcome to contact me directly by email or phone with any questions, concerns, or ideas. It is an honor to serve our communities, and I look forward to staying connected throughout the interim. 

Coffee with Tom will be at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce on Friday, July 17th from 12:00pm-1:00pm. 

Thank you for your support and feedback, and please reach out if you need assistance in the meantime!