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HF 26

Governor's power to declare emergency repealed, legislative emergency declaration and extension process established, governor's authority to adopt orders and expedited rules during an emergency repealed, citizen rights protected, and technical corrections made.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Allen and 14 co-sponsors

Transfers emergency declaration authority from Minnesota governor to legislature, requiring legislative approval for emergencies and eliminating executive emergency order powers.

Recalled by Chair State Government Finance and Policy
#governmentaloperations-state #legislature
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 26

Legislative bill overview

HF 26 removes the governor's unilateral power to declare emergencies and instead requires the Minnesota legislature to approve emergency declarations and any extensions beyond initial periods. The bill eliminates the governor's authority to adopt emergency orders and expedited rules during declared emergencies, while establishing a legislative process for emergency management. Technical corrections address implementation details across state law.

Why is this important

Emergency declaration powers directly affect how quickly government can respond to crises like natural disasters, public health threats, or security incidents. This bill represents a significant shift of power from executive to legislative branches—meaning emergency response decisions would require legislative approval, which could slow response times but increase democratic oversight. The practical impact depends heavily on how quickly the legislature can convene and act during actual emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • Response time delays: Legislative approval processes may be slower than executive action, potentially hampering rapid response to genuine emergencies like severe weather, disease outbreaks, or infrastructure failures
  • Partisan gridlock concerns: Emergency extensions requiring legislative votes could become politicized or blocked along party lines, preventing unified crisis response
  • Executive vs. legislative authority: Fundamentally conflicts with how most state and federal executives traditionally manage time-sensitive emergencies; supporters argue it prevents executive overreach, opponents argue it undermines effective governance

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

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