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SF 5044

Require undesignated money returned to the state through restitution or recovery be deposited in a taxpayer refund account

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Green

The bill requires undesignated money recovered through restitution to be deposited into a dedicated taxpayer refund account.

Referred to State and Local Government
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 5044

Summary: SF 5044 (2025-2026) — Require undesignated money returned to the state through restitution or recovery be deposited in a taxpayer refund account

Overview

SF 5044 proposes a specific disposition for undesignated money that the state receives back through restitution or recovery proceedings. The bill would require such funds, when they are not designated for a particular purpose, to be deposited into a dedicated taxpayer refund account rather than being allocated to other uses or the general fund.

Co-sponsor: Steve Green

Introduction and referral: Introduced and read for the first time on April 9, 2026. Referred to the State and Local Government committee.

Purpose and intent

  • Provide a predictable, dedicated source of funds for taxpayer relief in the form of refunds.
  • Ensure that undesignated recovered or restitution funds are returned directly to taxpayers rather than being allocated to statewide programs or discretionary accounts.
  • Improve transparency around the disposition of recovered/undesignated state funds by creating a clear statutory obligation to deposit into a taxpayer refund account.

Key provisions (high-level)

While the full text is not provided in this summary, the bill’s stated intent implies the following potential provisions:
- Definition of “undesignated money” recovered through restitution or recovery efforts.
- A mandatory deposit mechanism directing undesignated funds to a specified taxpayer refund account.
- Perhaps criteria for what counts as “undesignated” and what constitutes “restoration or recovery” funds.
- Administrative procedures for depositing funds into the taxpayer refund account (e.g., timing, reporting).
- Oversight or auditing requirements to ensure proper disposition of funds.
- Possible limitations or exceptions (e.g., funds already legislatively dedicated to a program or used for debt service would be excluded).

Affected entities and stakeholders

  • State government entities that handle restitution, recovery, or undesignated funds (likely including the state treasury, auditor, and agencies that receive restitution proceeds).
  • Minnesota taxpayers, who would be the intended beneficiaries of the taxpayer refund account.
  • Local governments and other public bodies that interact with state funds, depending on how the funds are sourced and allocated.
  • Legislative staff and state officials responsible for implementing the new deposit requirement.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The bill has been introduced and assigned to the State and Local Government committee.
  • If advanced, it would likely require rulemaking or administrative action to implement the new deposit mechanism.
  • Timeline for implementation (e.g., effective date, transition period) would be determined in committee deliberations and any amended version of the bill.
  • Fiscal impact: The bill could increase or stabilize the amount available for taxpayer refunds, depending on the volume of undesignated recovered funds and the design of the refund account.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Revenue stability for taxpayer refunds, contingent on recoveries and the amount designated as undesignated.
  • Administrative burden on state agencies to segregate and deposit funds into the new account.
  • Clarity and predictability in budgeting for refunds, which could influence taxpayer sentiments and perceptions of state financial management.
  • Interaction with existing statutory priorities for uses of restitution and recovered funds (e.g., whether current designations are overridden or require carve-outs).

If you would like, I can tailor this summary to a particular audience (e.g., policymakers, taxpayers, or advocacy groups) or incorporate any specific text from the bill once it becomes available.

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

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