2026 state legislative preview: MCGA focused on biofuels, protecting farming tools
by Amanda Bilek
Senior Public Policy Director
The current political landscape is unpredictable and challenging. As I prepare this column to talk about state policy priorities for Minnesota Corn, the issues of social service program fraud and immigration enforcement dominate headlines and social media. These issues are likely to occupy policy discourse during the 2026 Minnesota legislative session. Both issues do and will impact the state budget, along with changes to Minnesota’s share of federal funding.
Although 2026 is a non-budget year, legislators will want to look closely at changes that could shore up state finances. The fall election where every state legislative seat, every constitutional office, all U.S. House of Representative seats, and one U.S. Senate seat are on the ballot will influence session dynamics. A notable number of announced legislative retirements- 20 current House and Senate members and 16 current House and Senate members are seeking a different office, which could increase the number of open legislative seats on the fall ballot and play a part in session dynamics. No matter who is elected Governor, their administration will need to propose a state budget for the first time not long after assuming office.
I raise all these dynamics to be clear-eyed about the challenges we face. However, our resolve is strong because the stakes for Minnesota corn farmers and rural communities are too high to not break through the noise to urge actions that support corn farmers and their communities.
Although we are strenuously advocating at the federal level for nationwide, year-round E15, Farm Bill 2.0, and maintaining critical trade relationships while expanding trade opportunities to new markets, there is plenty of action the state can take to help address financial challenges across farm country.
At the top of the list are actions focused on markets. Biofuels policy and financial incentives fit under the banner of market expansion. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), along with our agriculture and biofuels partners, will advocate for common-sense steps to increase consumer access to higher biofuel blends. This includes consistent higher ethanol blend equipment compatibility regulations between above ground and below ground equipment and fuel retailer financial support for higher ethanol blends through a tax incentive and continued availability of biofuel infrastructure grant funds.
We also see long-term future opportunities in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as an invaluable market that will aid in the domestic demand for corn via the aviation sector, create high paying jobs, and boost farm income. MCGA is a part of a multi-sector coalition supporting increased funding for Minnesota’s SAF tax credit to attract investment and production of SAF in Minnesota.
Our members are concerned about new workplace mandates for paid family medical leave and earned safe and sick time. During our grassroots resolutions process, members submitted multiple resolutions speaking to workplace mandates. MCGA adopted three new policy resolutions that each aim to provide some flexibility for farm businesses. When the law passed in 2023, there was no flexibility given for small businesses including farm businesses, which are 96% family owned and operated. We will be working closely with our agricultural and business community partners to advocate for flexibility options.
Finally, MCGA will continue to protect tools farmers need to sustainably produce a crop and oppose proposals that are not supported by current science and would unnecessarily increase the regulatory burden on corn farmers. Additionally, we also think state policymakers need to examine options to increase the ability for local governments to play a role in utility-scale solar projects (projects over 50 Megawatts and cover at least 400 acres) that are proposed to be sited in their jurisdiction. Productive farmland is a valuable natural resource. Once it lost, it is lost for good and those who are closest to the impacted communities should have more of a say in what kind of development occurs in their community, like the role local governments play in feedlot siting or other commercial and industrial development.
2026 has already been an “interesting” year politically for Minnesota, to say the least. The balance of the year is sure to have more political surprises. MCGA will do our best to navigate all the dynamics to be the best advocate possible for corn farmers and rural communities.
