Session Begins with Focus on Oversight, Affordability, and Workforce Solutions
By Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, Minnesota House District 3B
The 2026 legislative session begins Feb. 17, and the first day will be devoted to honoring Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their beloved dog, who were tragically assassinated in June 2025. The House and Senate will reflect on her legacy and service to Minnesota as we begin the work ahead.
During this session, I will continue serving on the Health; Children & Families; and Labor & Workforce committees. The bills I am bringing forward are rooted in conversations with families, providers, and businesses throughout our district.
One priority is strengthening family childcare. Greater Minnesota has lost more than half of its family childcare providers in recent years, leaving families struggling to find safe and reliable care. Many providers entered the profession while raising their own children and are now retiring. My proposal would allow licensed providers to care for up to 12 children instead of 10 by exempting up to two of their own children from the count while keeping the current infant and toddler ratio at three. This small change could help providers remain in business and allow them to add preschool or before- and after-school-aged children without sacrificing safety.
I am also proposing a change to the new paid leave program. My bill would exempt young workers age 14 and older who are claimed as dependents on their parents’ taxes. This change would allow teens to keep more of their earnings while helping employers in hospitality and service industries maintain the workforce they rely on. Teen workers typically do not carry the same financial obligations as adult workers, and this policy better reflects that reality.
Affordability remains a top concern for many Minnesotans. I will be supporting efforts to address rising property taxes, high commercial tax burdens, and increasing individual taxes so more families and businesses can keep more of what they earn.
Fraud prevention will be a major focus this year. Since 2018, more than $9 billion has been identified as probable fraud in Minnesota. Even after major budget cuts to Health and Human Services, news reports continue to highlight cases of sophisticated fraud. In one example, individuals from Pennsylvania created a shell storefront and stole $3.5 million. In another case tied to the Feeding Our Future scandal, an individual convicted of fraud was later able to open another operation and continue billing the state.
To address these failures, I am advancing legislation to strengthen oversight. The proposal would require stronger ownership disclosures, identify circles of influence, and permanently prohibit anyone convicted of fraud from opening another agency that bills Medical Assistance. These measures aim to ensure accountability and protect taxpayer dollars.
I am also supporting legislation to make the Office of the Legislative Auditor independent from the executive branch, regardless of which party is in power. Many states already operate this way, providing stronger accountability and prosecutorial authority. The Governor and Senate have expressed support. However, with the House currently tied 67–67, bipartisan cooperation will be required to move the proposal forward.
The need for reform is clear. A $2 million audit by Optum found that the Department of Human Services could save $1.7 billion simply by strengthening policies and closing procedural gaps. After outside auditing began, provider billing dropped 30 percent in just three months, saving $164 million. Improved oversight alone made a significant difference.
At the same time, we must protect legitimate providers who serve Minnesotans every day. Recently, a Northland provider that had operated for 40 years closed after a billing deadline change was made without notice. Without time to secure financing, the agency shut its doors, leaving families without services. Greater Minnesota cannot afford to lose more health care and transportation providers as our population ages.
I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strengthen oversight, protect vulnerable adults, and restore trust in our systems.
Sincerely,
Natalie Zeleznikar,
State Representative for 3B
