HF3158

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to propose an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would impact how public funds are approved for professional sports facilities. Specifically, it seeks to make it more challenging to allocate public money for building or renovating such facilities by requiring broader legislative consensus.

Main Provisions

• The bill proposes the addition of a new section to article IV of the Minnesota Constitution.
• This new section would require that any law that seeks to authorize public funding for the design, construction, or renovation of a professional sports facility must receive a supermajority vote. This means it would need the approval of at least two-thirds of the members in each house of the Minnesota Legislature.
• The bill outlines that this constitutional amendment proposal will be submitted for voter approval during the 2026 general election. Voters will answer the question of whether or not the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to include this requirement.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Currently, the Minnesota Legislature can authorize public funding for professional sports facilities with a simple majority vote. This bill proposes a more stringent requirement, making it the first of its kind to demand a supermajority for such decisions.

Relevant Terms

supermajority, public funding, professional sports facility, Minnesota Constitution, constitutional amendment, two-thirds vote, 2026 general election.