Intergovernmental Relations Committee Regular Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IGR) of the Minneapolis City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Chair Oreen Chowdhury called the meeting to order, with eight members present establishing a quorum. The committee reviewed 11 draft 2027 legislative policy positions, received a federal legislative update from the IGR team and a report from Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and approved a walk-on resolution calling for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.

Consent Calendar

• The committee received and filed the presentation on the draft 2027 legislative policy positions and the federal legislative activities update.
• A walk-on item authored by Councilmembers Chavez, Chowdhury, Osman, and Chugtai, related to calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for TPS, was added to the agenda without objection.

Discussion: Draft 2027 Legislative Policy Positions

• Interim Director Steve Huser and Indiria Falana (IGR) presented 11 policy recommendations from the Policy Liaison Team (PLT) for the 2027 legislative agenda. The proposed new or amended positions included:
  • State relief for independent music venues, noting 80% operate without profit.
  • Modifications to the Clean Slate Act to preserve domestic violence records for protective orders.
  • Allowing investigation of peace officer misconduct after separation from a department.
  • State funding ($2M-$5M) for the Health Trends Across Communities data program.
  • Increased Medical Assistance reimbursement rates for school-based mental health clinics.
  • A $10M grant program for city decarbonization projects administered by the state's Climate Innovation Authority.
  • State funding for geothermal heating systems at the Democracy Center and a water distribution facility.
  • Building performance standards requiring a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
  • Continued support for ending subminimum wages for people with disabilities and incarcerated individuals.
  • Expanding the Safe Harbor program for sexually exploited youth (ages 24 and under) to include adults aged 25 and older ($4M).
  • A state-funded low-income residential water affordability program modeled on the heating assistance program.
• Councilmember Discussion:
  • Councilmember Chavez requested clarification on the disability wage justice language, specifically regarding the consolidation of policies for people with disabilities and incarcerated individuals. Director Huser confirmed both groups are specified.
  • Chair Chowdhury asked about coalition partners for health and decarbonization proposals, confirming partnerships with LPHA and other metro cities. She emphasized revenue generation and Local Government Aid (LGA) as top priorities for the legislative session. Director Huser acknowledged the IGR team is actively working on new municipal revenue tools and LGA advocacy with the League of Minnesota Cities.
  • Councilmember Schaefer noted the absence of proposals from CPED and stressed the importance of sustainable revenue growth and investment.
  • Councilmember Warren emphasized the need for the disability subminimum wage policy to explicitly state that a fair minimum wage applies, avoiding assumptions of lower pay.
  • Councilmember Stevenson asked whether the music venue relief included support for musicians; it was clarified the proposal focused on the stability of the venues themselves.
  • President Payne raised legislative directives related to bringing BCR in-house, flagging data practice concerns from the City Attorney's office and requesting coordination with the IGR department.

Discussion: Federal Legislative Activities Update

• Chair Chowdhury shared a written report from Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who was unable to attend in person due to safety concerns. The report detailed federal impacts on Minneapolis, including actions during the Metro Surge, cuts from the "One Big Beautiful Bill" affecting SNAP and Medicaid, and legislation the Congresswoman is championing.
• Senior Government Relations Representative Lauren Olson presented a federal update. She noted key dates including Election Day (November 3, 2026) and the government funding continuing resolution deadline (December 11, 2026).
• Federal Earmarks: One House request ($850,000) for ADA pedestrian access and safety, championed by Rep. Omar, advanced in the House process. Three Senate requests (police records management, police recruitment, forensic lab) remain pending in the appropriations committee.
• Farm Bill: Ms. Olson highlighted a major sticking point involving SNAP cost-sharing requirements, which could cost Minnesota hundreds of millions of dollars. Senator Klobuchar is leading efforts to address this.
• Councilmember Chowdhury asked about the "Skinny Farm Bill" and hemp-derived THC beverages, noting the impact on local distilleries and requesting an update.

Key Outcomes

• Haiti TPS Resolution Approved: The walk-on resolution calling for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status was moved by Councilmember Chavez and approved by voice vote (all ayes, no nays). Chair Chowdhury noted minor tweaks may be made before the item goes to the full council.
• Timeline for 2027 Agenda: The draft legislative policy document will be updated with committee feedback. Final action and amendments to the full 2027 IGR legislative agenda are scheduled for the committee's December 1, 2026 meeting.