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HF 2694

Constitution of the state; technical changes made to certain terms in Article I to be consistent with language in Minnesota Statutes, and constitutional amendment proposed.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kristin Bahner and 2 co-sponsors

The bill would amend the Minnesota Constitution to update terminology for consistency with statutes, submitting a yes/no 2026 voter question while asserting no change in legal righ

Author added Falconer
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Bill Summary · HF 2694

Summary of HF 2694 (2025-2026) — Constitutional Technical Language Updates; Constitutional Amendment Proposed

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to modernize and harmonize certain terms in Article I of the Minnesota Constitution with language currently used in Minnesota Statutes. It also includes extensive clerical/terminology updates to multiple constitutional provisions and sets a voter referendum for 2026. The changes are described as technical, with no apparent intended alteration of substantive rights or legal effects beyond wording.

Purpose and Intent

  • Primary aim: Make technical changes to specific terms in Article I to align constitutional language with Minnesota Statutes, ensuring terminology is consistent across state law.
  • The bill also includes a constitutional amendment to accommodate these changes and to provide for a uniform restatement of certain phrases (conforming language) across multiple sections of the Constitution.
  • The submission to voters requests permission to amend the Minnesota Constitution in the 2026 general election, with the referendum question describing the change as replacing certain terms without any consequential changes in legal effect.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Constitutional Amendment Proposed (Section 1):

    • The amendment, if adopted, would update several sections of Article I (and related constitutional provisions) to reflect updated language. Specific sections addressed include:
    • Article I, Sec. 2: Rewording to reflect “law of the land” and “rights and privileges” language with emphasis on due process in the context of rights of citizens, maintaining anti-slavery/antienslavement language.
    • Article I, Sec. 6: Speedy and public trial rights, jury composition (12-member juries for felonies; for other criminal prosecutions, legislature may set the number but at least 6), and standard constitutional protections (informed of charges, confrontation, compulsory process, counsel).
    • Article I, Sec. 7: Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, bail, habeas corpus protections.
    • Article I, Sec. 8: Right to a remedy for injuries or wrongs; access to justice timely and free of denial.
    • Article I, Sec. 16-17: Religious liberty provisions, including freedom of conscience, prohibition on compulsory religious tests or selection of voters by religion or wealth, and related protections.
    • The amendments are framed as linguistic updates to be consistent with current statutory language, not as substantive policy changes.

  • Various Cross-Article Edits (as reflected in the draft text):

    • Article IV (Legislative powers and procedures): Oath, duties, and procedural aspects; bills, vetoes, and the process of passage; appropriations veto items; legislative sessions and adjournment rules.
    • Article V (Governor and executive branch): Terms of office, qualifications; gubernatorial powers (appointment, execution of laws, emergency authority); vacancy procedures; continuity of government.
    • Article VI (Judiciary): District court structure, residency requirements for judges; terminations and retirement provisions; assignment of retired judges; clerks of district court.
    • Article VII (Electoral provisions): Voting qualifications; residence and voting rules for service members and students; uniform oath/affirmation for elections; canvassing of returns; general election processes.
    • Article VIII (Impeachment): Implications during impeachment and service of process; timing for impeachment trials.
    • Article XI, XIII (State funds and licenses): Security for state funds, embezzlement provisions, licensing of products produced by farmers, and seal usage.

  • Severability and Submission Provisions (Sections near the end):

    • Severability clause: If a change is found unconstitutional or inconsequential by litigation, that change can be severed, allowing the rest to remain in effect.
    • Submission to voters: The amendment would be submitted to Minnesota voters at the 2026 general election with a simple yes/no question: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to replace certain terms without any consequential changes in its legal effect?”

Who Would Be Affected

  • All Minnesota residents, by potential constitutional changes to how rights, due process, religious liberty, voting, and executive/legislative/judicial processes are expressed in the Constitution.
  • The changes are described as linguistic/terminology updates, not as substantive policy shifts, so the practical legal effects are intended to be unchanged aside from consistent terminology.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative status: Introduced (HF 2694) with first reading on March 24, 2025; referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy.
  • Sponsor and co-sponsors: Primary authors Bahner and Jones; co-sponsors Kristin Bahner, Katie Jones, and Alex Falconer (as of action history).
  • Key procedural note: The bill contemplates a statewide constitutional amendment submission at the 2026 general election.
  • Voter referendum: The amendment question is designed to ask voters whether to replace certain terms without changing the legal effect, offering a straightforward Yes/No choice.

Bottom Line

HF 2694 seeks to harmonize Minnesota constitutional language with existing statute language through a proposed constitutional amendment to be voted on in 2026. The substantive rights and frameworks remain, in the sponsor’s view, unchanged; the push is for consistency and modernization of terminology across Article I and related sections.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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