ST. PAUL 鈥� Tuesday marks a wide range of new laws going into effect in Minnesota, from allowing motorcycles to filter and lane split in traffic to ensuring minors are compensated for online content involving them.
Lane splitting and filtering
Motorcyclists will now be able to move between vehicles in traffic jams or slow-moving traffic under new .
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Lane splitting 鈥� maneuvering between lanes of moving traffic 鈥� and lane filtering 鈥� maneuvering between lanes of unmoving traffic 鈥� are now allowed when two or more lanes of traffic are traveling in the same direction.
A motorcycle can now legally lane split by passing another moving vehicle at no more than 25 miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic. Motorcyclists can legally lane filter by moving through stopped traffic at no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in the relevant traffic lanes.
Lane splitting and lane filtering will not be permitted in drive-throughs, roundabout exits, school zones, work zones with single-lane travel and on-ramps to a freeway or expressway, as those areas are exempt under the new law.
Minors and content creation
New laws aimed at protecting child influencers will take effect Tuesday. The changes include requiring content creators who earn money from videos involving minors to set aside earnings for the minors in trust accounts.
The law applies to creators who feature minors in at least 30% of the content from the creator. Minors can also request that content about themselves be deleted after the age of 13.
Free water at large venues
Entertainment venues hosting 100 or more ticketed attendees must provide free water and allow sealed or empty bottles inside the venue. Venues will not be required to allow water in an exhibit, gallery or presentation space where beverages are prohibited as long as water is available outside the space.
Anti-Fraud measures
Though several anti-fraud measures failed to pass in the 2025 session, including establishing a state-wide , a few passed, including: allowing state agencies to withhold funds for up to 60 days from suspected fraudulent claimants, enhanced whistleblower protections and allowing government entities to disclose data relating to suspected or confirmed fraud, except where a provision of law specifically prohibits it.
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Boating permits
Permits will for people under 21 operating a boat, with the mandate expanding by age over time. By July 1, 2026, the permit requirement will expand to residents 26 and younger. In 2027, it will include anyone 31 or younger, and by 2028, all boaters 41 and younger will need a permit.
State symbols
Minnesota will adopt two new state symbols: the giant beaver as its state fossil and Ursa Minor as its state constellation.
Education
歪歪漫画 districts can now begin the school year on or after Labor Day for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. Previously, schools were only allowed to start after Labor Day. The bill this session faced some , which said the change could affect resort owners in the state who profit from the holiday weekend.
In an effort to address teacher shortages, the teacher pilot program is now permanent. An emergency short-call substitute license can replace the same teacher or vacancy for up to 10 consecutive days.
Homeowners association mediator
A new common interest community ombudsperson position will be created within the Department of Commerce to assist unit owners, tenants and associations in understanding their rights and assisting in disputes between unit owners and homeowners associations. The Commerce budget set aside $350,000 a year for the new role.
The position comes after a bill to rein in HOAs across the state passed the Senate but stalled in the House. Original pitches from lawmakers included limiting fees imposed by HOAs and new foreclosure guardrails.
State budget
The full state budget for fiscal years 2026-27, coming in at $67 billion, takes effect this month. With an impending $6 billion budget deficit, lawmakers made steep cuts from the previous $72 billion state budget: $5 billion from the last biennium and $2 billion in net cuts. The highest cuts came in for human services, at $300 million.
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The Trust Project
