Launch Rise & Repair Bill Tracker in a New Window
Rise & Repair’s platform is based on guiding principles, policy priorities to support, and policies to oppose.
This alliance is as a shared ecosystem of cooperation amongst organizations and people to advance legislation on this platform as it evolves through the session. Bills will be added to this platform by alliance partners when the time is right. Bills to mobilize against will also be added as they emerge.
We invite you to learn about the ideas and policies on this platform through the amazing work led by the partner organizations in this alliance. Subscribe to Rise & Repair’s eNews for updates, organizing opportunities & calls to action. Get involved however you are able!
2026 Policy Priorities
Support Increased Protections for Wild Rice ~ Psiŋ kin yanka (Dakota), Ganawendan Manoomin (Ojibwe): Protect natural stands of Wild Rice (Minnesota’s State Grain) known as Manoomin to the Anishinaabe and Psiŋ to the Dakota.
Recognize the Inherent Right of Wild Rice to Exist & Thrive in Minnesota
Require “Risk Justification” for projects that might damage Wild Rice Waters
Ban Pesticide Application in Wild Rice Waters
Responsible Boating Practices: No Motorized Watercraft in Rice Beds, Wake Restrictions, Signage
Change the Wild Rice Harvest Dates from statute into policy with Tribal Advisory Board
Support A Hyper-scale Data Center Moratorium & Regulatory Framework: Implement a moratorium on the construction of new hyper-scale data centers until a regulatory framework is established to protect our communities.
Require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Ban Non-Disclosure Agreements
Siting, Setbacks from Residential Neighborhoods, Noise Pollution
Water Usage
Support 100% Electronic Waste Collection & Recycling: Enable 100% diversion of electronic waste for recycling across the state, paid for by producers. Reduce virgin mining demand, reclaim from landfills!
Support Returning Unlawfully Seized Public State Lands to Tribal Nations (This is a climate solution!):
Return eastern half of Upper Red Lake & Red Lake State Forest to the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe
Return the Cloquey Forestry Center & adjacent lands to the Fond du Lac Band
Return the White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Nation
Support Protections for Pipestone Quarry: The Magellan/ONEOK natural gas pipeline threatens Pipestone, an American Indian sacred site where soft red stone has been gathered for over 3,000 years to make pipes for prayer, ceremonies, and communication with the Creator. This sacred site must be protected. Natural gas can be explosive.
Support a “Consumer Demand Forecast”: Require energy companies to receive a Certificate of Need only if the energy produced is needed by residents in Minnesota & surrounding area, as opposed to the need of “producers”.
Support Instant Permitting for Rooftop Solar: Adopt online instant permitting tools to make it cheaper and faster to permit and build residential rooftop solar. Expedite the transition to renewable energy!
Support Just Transition & Energy Democracy: Adapt our Grid Away from the “Central Station Era”
Distributed Solar & Virtual Power Plants: Establish a distributed power plant program that would allow Minnesotans with batteries, solar, and other energy resources to unite and sell energy and other services to the electric utility. This saves money for all utility customers by limiting peak electricity demand, making our grid more reliable, and reducing harmful air and climate pollution.
Rate-Payer Protections: Stop monopoly utilities from charging customers for their political lobbying, association dues, high executive pay, and other inappropriate expenses. Also, place a limit on energy burdens, ban utility deposits and reconnection fees, and strengthen shutoff protections to keep families connected to affordable energy.
Support Health Impact Assessments: Require Health studies anytime environmental impact studies are required. When the environment is contaminated, so are our bodies. This is especially true of subsistence communities.
Support Responsible Mining Practices:
“Prove It First”: Require applicants to prove that a similar mine has been in operation for at least 10 years without polluting, and has been closed for at least 10 years without polluting the environment.
The Bad Actor Bill: Prevent MN from issuing nonferrous mining permits to corporations that have violated certain international laws, including corruption, bribery & environmental destruction.
Taxpayer Protection Act: Require nonferrous mining companies fully fund financial assurance package upfront to ensure MN taxpayers are not left on the hook for potential multi-billion-dollar clean-up costs from a devastating environmental catastrophe.
Support a Seal of Climate Literacy: Legislation to create a diploma endorsement that would be awarded to students who complete climate intensive courses and an experiential learning project within their community. The Seal will be a stepping stone for students who want to get involved in Climate, Energy, and STEM careers.
Keep checking back - legislation will continue to be added here throughout session.
Policies to Oppose
Oppose Weakening of Environmental Protections
Oppose Repeal of the Wild Rice Sulfate Standard & Reactive Mine Waste Rules: These are MN’s bedrock environmental protections for wild rice and freshwater.
Fast-Tracking of Permits: MN’s legislature passed a “permitting reform” bill last year to speed up permitting processes. No further erosion of environmental review and public engagement!
Oppose False Climate Solutions & Weakening of 100% Clean Energy by 2040 Law:
Oppose Repeal of the Nuclear Moratorium & Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs): No permanent solution for nuclear waste exists. Nuclear’s supply chain of uranium mining and enrichment has been disastrous for Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai & other Indigenous communities. The average time to build a nuclear reactor is 10-21 years ~ this timeline makes it impossible for nuclear to help MN meet the “2040” law & distracts us from pursuing and investing in the development of renewable energy solutions.
Oppose Large-Scale Mega Dams: Functioning rivers are essential to life & ecosystems. Manitoba Hydro’s dams, which supply Minnesota Power & our grid, have caused immense harm to Indigenous communities in Canada. Please do not expand the Eligible Energy Technical Standard (EETS) to include new large-scale hydroelectric facilities greater than 100 megawatts.
Oppose Industrial Carbon Capture & Sequestration as State Policy: Industrial Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) is a false climate solution propped up by the fossil fuel industry, primarily for use in “enhanced oil recovery” efforts in expired fracking wells.
Oppose Dismantling of Net Metering: Ending net metering in Minnesota’s rural communities and small towns would make it harder for households, farms, and small businesses to go solar at a time when we need all the affordable and local clean energy we can get. Currently, utilities must credit these small solar owners for the energy they produce and share with their neighbors at the average retail rate.
Oppose Repeal of the Community Solar Program
Oppose Anti-Protest & “Vicarious Liability”: This unconstitutionally restricts freedom of speech, allowing anyone or any organization associated with a protestor to be held "vicariously liable" for their activities even if they're not at the protest themselves. It is an attempt to silence people and organizations protecting water & civil liberties.
Check back soon - active legislation to oppose will be posted here if/when they are introduced during session.
Guiding Principles
1. “We must honor all of our relations.”
Centering Reparations, Indigenous & Tribal Sovereignty
Respecting Indigenous and tribal sovereignty, honoring treaties, engaging in Free Prior & Informed Consent, enacting reparations, and supporting Land Back initiatives are central policymaking needs from our elected officials in Minnesota.
2. “We must lead the way.”
Walking the green path, truth-telling & doing our fair share to heal mother Earth.
Minnesota must meet and/or exceed State and Federal climate goals, acting locally to align with those set on the global stage. We must tell the truth about the realities of the climate crisis and not invest in false solutions.
3. “We need a thriving and sustainable future for the next seven generations.”
Transitioning in a way that is just and equitable.
Minnesota’s law for 100% Carbon-Free Electricity by 2040 is the foundation for our energy transition. Leveraging federal and state funds will speed the transition to renewable energy with local innovation and workers. Now we must ensure the design, implementation and oversight of this transition is just and empowers people, not corporations.
4. “We Are All Related, We Are All Protected”
Increasing Regulatory Protection of People, Land, Air and Water
Amidst the climate and equity crises, it is imperative that our regulatory institutions protect our Air, Land, Water, and People, not corporate profits. State agencies must respect the rights of Indigenous people and sovereignty of Native nations that share the geography of the State of Minnesota.
5. “Environmental Racism is Unacceptable”
Reversing the Pattern of Environmental Injustice.
Native, Black, POC and economically disadvantaged communities often bear the brunt of industrial environmental pollution. We must reverse this pattern, center the needs of those most impacted, ensure these communities have a decisive voice in planning, and make sure benefits flow first to people who have been denied economic opportunity in our current system.