Minnesota Legislature Passes Critical Bill on Housing: Environmental Laws Cannot be Weaponized

SAINT PAUL, MN – Yesterday, just prior to adjournment, the Minnesota Legislature passed a key provision that will ensure our environmental laws cannot be weaponized against building more needed homes. The provision, included in HF5242, ensures that comprehensive plans cannot be challenged under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, ending the lawsuit over the Minneapolis 2040 Plan and closing the door to similar lawsuits in the future.

“The Minnesota Legislature did the right thing by passing comprehensive plan clarity,” said Andrea Riehl of Neighbors for More Neighbors. “Minnesotans need more homes, and allowing more homes where there is existing infrastructure is good for the environment. The legislature frees Minneapolis to finally move forward in our landmark 2040 comprehensive plan, which will help meet the housing needs of our neighbors and pursue climate goals at the same time.” 

The legislation was pushed for by a broad coalition, including environmental organizations, labor unions, housing advocates, and others, and championed by Senator Port, Senator Fateh, and Representative Howard. 

“Laws that protect our environment are critical, and should not be weaponized against everyone having a safe and attainable home,” said Peter Wagenius of Sierra Club. “Our current land use policies force more and more people to be dependent on cars and drive longer distances. It was vital to protect comprehensive plans that allow for more homes closer to walking, transit, and biking options from misinformed lawsuits.”

”We want to commend our champions and Legislature for providing certainty for jurisdictions that are doing the right thing,” said Zak Yudhishthu of Sustain Saint Paul. “Cities acting in climate friendly ways should not be hampered by attempts to slow that progress.”

“Every Minnesotan, no matter their age, race or income level, should have access to a safe and secure place to live,” said Libby Weaver, Political Director of Minnesota Housing Partnership. “Lawmakers took this important step to removing unnecessary impediments to building more homes. This bill prevents individuals and organizations from hijacking development and ensures communities can meet housing, race equity, and climate goals.”

“Working families spend too much of their paychecks on housing, so we need to build more places for them to live,” said Rick Varco, Political Director of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, a union representing 50,000 healthcare workers. “This bill will allow Minneapolis 2040 to move forward, and ensure more communities who are trying to plan in ways that address our climate crisis can do so without delay or fear.”

The coalition will continue the conversation about the availability of homes next legislative session, pointing to polling conducted in April that showed that 85% of Minnesotans say the cost of renting or buying a home is a problem, and 75% of Minnesotans agree the Legislature should take action to address Minnesota’s housing shortage.