Plain English Breakdown
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.
HF4017 • 2026
Notice of unlawfully transported infectious or pathological waste required, inspections of infectious waste or pathological waste generators required, financial penalties for unlawfully transporting infectious or pathological waste assessed, and money appropriated.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
Author added Lillie
Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Means
Author added Momanyi-Hiltsley
Author added Greene
Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Notice of unlawfully transported infectious or pathological waste required, inspections of infectious waste or pathological waste generators required, financial penalties for unlawfully transporting infectious or pathological waste assessed, and money appropriated.
A bill for an act relating to infectious or pathological waste; requiring notice of unlawfully transported infectious or pathological waste; requiring inspections of infectious or pathological waste generators; assessing financial penalties for unlawfully transporting infectious or pathological waste; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116.78, by adding a subdivision; 116.79, by adding a subdivision; 116.83, by adding a subdivision. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116.78, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end new text begin Unlawful shipment of infectious or pathological waste. new text end new text begin The operator of a solid waste management facility that has not been approved by the agency to accept infectious or pathological waste must immediately notify the agency on receipt of any waste the operator reasonably believes to be infectious or pathological waste. The notice must include the date of receipt, a description of the suspected infectious or pathological waste, its volume, and the suspected generator of the infectious or pathological waste. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116.79, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end new text begin Inspections and audits; infectious or pathological waste generators. new text end new text begin The commissioner, in coordination with the commissioner of health, must conduct unannounced inspections of infectious or pathological waste generators to ensure compliance with management plans and sections 116.76 to 116.835. Infectious or pathological waste generators must annually conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with sections 116.76 to 116.835 and must make the audits available to the commissioner for review. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116.83, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Unlawful transport of infectious or pathological waste; penalties. new text end new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a generator of infectious or pathological waste who is determined to have unlawfully arranged for infectious or pathological waste to be transported to a solid waste management facility that has not been approved by the agency to accept infectious or pathological waste is subject to the following penalties: new text end new text begin (1) for a first violation, a fine of not less than $200,000 and up to $500,000; new text end new text begin (2) for a second violation, a fine of not less than $500,000 and up to $1,000,000; and new text end new text begin (3) for a third and subsequent violation, a fine of not less than $1,000,000 and up to $2,000,000 and the establishment of additional conditions in the generator's license by the commissioner of health designed to prevent future violations. new text end new text begin (b) Notwithstanding sections 16A.531, subdivision 1a, clause (3), and 115.073, paragraph (a), the commissioner must remit 50 percent of the fines collected under this subdivision to the solid waste management facility that received the infectious or pathological waste under paragraph (a). The commissioner must deposit the balance of the fines collected in the environmental fund. new text end new text begin (c) A penalty may not be assessed under this subdivision if waste is identified as infectious waste solely as a result of the presence of sharps that are determined to be self-administered by individuals who are not employees or contractors of the suspected generator. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION. new text end new text begin $50,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to develop, in consultation with the commissioner of health, in-person or online training courses and materials regarding the appropriate management and disposal of infectious and pathological waste. This is a onetime appropriation. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end