The legislative bill S.F. No. 1271 is designed to modify the current estate tax laws in Minnesota. It introduces the concept of "portability" for the unused exclusion amount from a deceased spouse. This means if one spouse dies without using up all of their allowance for estate tax exclusion, the remaining amount can be transferred to the surviving spouse, potentially increasing the amount the surviving spouse can pass on tax-free.

Furthermore, the bill requires personal representatives to file a Minnesota estate tax return if the decedent's total federal gross estate, along with taxable gifts made within three years of death, surpasses specific threshold amounts that vary by the year of the decedent's death. These thresholds increase from $1.2 million for deaths in 2014 up to $3 million for deaths in 2020 and later.

Additionally, the bill aims to make technical adjustments and remove outdated provisions to ensure clarity and modern relevance in the law. It specifically amends sections of the Minnesota Statutes by revising requirements around when estate tax returns need to be filed and the details that must be included on such returns.