ST. PAUL, MN. – On Thursday, the Senate Taxes Committee advanced its 2026 tax bill, including provisions secured by Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), delivering over $100 million in property tax relief and more funding for Northland schools.
“Our tax bill puts the needs of Northland families and schools first, by delivering real property tax relief and ensuring our local schools get their fair share,” said Sen. Hauschild, who serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Taxes Committee. “While the federal government is passing unfunded mandates on our local governments causing rising property taxes, we’re putting working families first. This is a good bill for Minnesota.”
The tax bill, Senate File 5052, includes $100.8 million in direct property tax relief with a 12% increase in all Homestead Credit Refunds in 2026. This measure, carried by Sen. Hauschild, would deliver an average refund of $171 this year if passed into law.
“The federal ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has shifted more and more costs to local governments, and property taxes are skyrocketing,” added Sen. Hauschild. “Family budgets are getting hammered, and they can’t wait for help.”
Hauschild also secured long-overdue aid for school districts with large numbers of seasonal recreational properties through a new seasonal tax base replacement aid program. This new program will offset voter-approved operating referendum levies in districts with seasonal recreational properties.
“Ensuring seasonal properties and cabins pay into their local school districts in Northern Minnesota has been a top priority for me, and we’re finally taking steps to address this unfairness for our area. This is a huge win for communities and schools like ours,” added Hauschild.
The bill also includes Senator Hauschild’s ‘Mineral Article’ which directs production tax proceeds from the Mesabi Metallics project to local school districts, cities, and townships across Iron Range communities in Senator Hauschild’s district and beyond. This proposal has bipartisan agreement within the Iron Range Delegation.
The 2026 Senate Tax Omnibus Bill will be heading to the Senate Floor. Once passed, it will be considered in final negotiations with the State House of Representatives and Governor’s Office.
###
Learn more about Sen. Hauschild.
