SF 5301

05/14/26  REVISOR  SS/EI  26-08595  as introduced
  SENATE
  STATE OF MINNESOTA
  NINETY-FOURTH SESSION  S.F. No. 5301
  (SENATE AUTHORS: GUSTAFSON)
  DATE       D-PG  OFFICIAL STATUS
  05/16/2026    10815 Introduction and first reading
  Referred to Jobs and Economic Development
1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to economic development; creating a Minnesota Entrepreneurship Task
1.3Force; requiring a report.
1.4    BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5Section 1. MINNESOTA ENTREPRENEURSHIP TASK FORCE.
1.6Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner of employment and economic
1.7    development must establish a Minnesota Entrepreneurship Task Force to assess and make
1.8    recommendations to the legislature regarding the successfulness of current programs,
1.9    development of new programs, potential permitting and licensing reforms, and barriers to
1.10   starting a business in Minnesota discovered by the task force with the goal of making
1.11   Minnesota the easiest and most rewarding state in the nation to start, own, and grow a
1.12   business.
1.13Subd. 2. Membership. (a) The task force must consist of the commissioner, or a designee,
1.14   and the following additional ten members appointed by the commissioner:
1.15(1) two members with direct experience in entrepreneurship, either as an entrepreneur
1.16   or with assisting entrepreneurs in starting a business;
1.17(2) two members representing small and large business owners, respectively;
1.18(3) one representative of organized labor;
1.19(4) one representative of registered apprenticeship programs;
1.20(5) one representative of grades kindergarten through 12 education;
1.21(6) one representative of higher education;
Section 1.  1
 05/14/26  REVISOR  SS/EI  26-08595  as introduced
2.1      (7) one representative of career and technical education; and
2.2      (8) one representative with expertise in business financing.
2.3      (b) The commissioner of labor and industry, or a designee, must also be a member of
2.4  the task force.
2.5      Subd. 3. Administration; terms of membership. The commissioner shall convene the
2.6  first meeting of the task force by September 15, 2027, and provide staff support to the task
2.7  force. Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6, governs the terms and removal of
2.8  members of the advisory task force. Members of the task force serve without compensation
2.9  or per diem.
2.10     Subd. 4. Duties. (a) At a minimum, the task force shall, in making the findings and
2.11 recommendations required for the report in subdivision 5, focus on how best to:
2.12     (1) create robust support systems for small business owners at every stage, from launch
2.13 through succession;
2.14     (2) reduce the friction of starting and running a business in Minnesota through streamlined
2.15 licensing and permitting and technical assistance;
2.16     (3) provide access to financial capital, mentors, and support systems;
2.17     (4) deliver entrepreneurship education on business practices for students and adults;
2.18     (5) provide apprenticeship supports; and
2.19     (6) address real life barriers to entrepreneurship such as access to health care and child
2.20 care.
2.21     (b) Additionally, the task force must analyze and develop recommendations on the
2.22 success of current programs, the development of new programs, and permitting and licensing
2.23 reforms to address the issues listed in paragraph (a) and any other barriers to starting a
2.24 business in Minnesota identified by the task force.
2.25     Subd. 5. Report. On or before February 15, 2028, the task force shall submit a report
2.26 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with
2.27 jurisdiction over economic development on the findings and recommendations of the task
2.28 force.
2.29     Subd. 6. Expiration. The task force expires the day after submitting the report under
2.30 subdivision 5.
2.31     EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.
 Section 1.  2