10 New Minnesota Laws and the 4 You’ll Definitely Want to Know About

I can't believe we're already in August. This year and this summer are flying by. But a new month brings new laws, and we've got new laws in Minnesota as of August 1st, 2025.

ALSO READ: 12 Minnesota Phrases That Sound Nice But Are Actually Insults

New Minnesota Laws As of August 1st, 2025

There's a total of 10 new laws that took effect on August 1st, but some of them are pretty specific and won't impact very many people.

We'll run through those quickly, just so you're aware of what they are, and then we'll get to the ones that could have the biggest impact.

"‘Minnesota Partition Act’ will modernize property partition, clarify eminent domain laws"

This law will "clarify and reflect modern practices for how court actions involving two or more owners are decided."

"Minnesota Business Corporations Act updated"

The updates to this act are "regarding a corporation’s directors, owners, and officers."

"Insurance boards can request financial info from high net-worth policyholders"

That one's kind of self-explanatory. If there's someone who holds an insurance policy that has a lot of money, the insurance board can request financial information from that person.

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"Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families exempt from court fees"

This one is also pretty self-explanatory: "The Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families will be exempt from the requirement to pay court fees in certain cases."

"Establishment of housing cooperatives"

Until now, the incorporation of housing cooperatives has been overseen by all different statutes. Now, "the Minnesota Cooperative Housing Act will consolidate all aspects under one statute" with this law. Makes sense to me.

"Performing national criminal background checks on adult business license applicants"

If someone wants to open an adult entertainment establishment or provide massage services in Minnesota, "cities and counties can conduct a criminal background check that includes the national database".

If you want to learn more about any of those laws, the Minnesota House has it all laid out.

But now, let's talk about the others that I think are going to be more applicable to more people and the ones I find interesting.

The Four New Minnesota Laws You'll Want to Know About

"Speed limits raised for implements of husbandry, some trash hauling"

If you're wondering like I was, an implement of husbandry "is a self-propelled or towed vehicle designed or adapted to be used exclusively for timber harvesting, agricultural, horticultural or livestock-raising operations."

Where this becomes applicable to many people is if you're hauling trash or a downed tree, let's say, in your pickup truck or something  This law allows implements of husbandry and vehicles carrying uncovered trash or debris to drive up to 35 mph. Previously, it was a maximum of 30 mph.

"Limited confidentiality established for restorative justice participants"

This one was interesting to me. There's a program in the legal system called restorative justice programs. These programs "allow an offender to meet with the victim or victims of their crimes and other community members to discuss the impact of the offense."

This law states that "a restorative practice participant will be prohibited from disclosing any communication, documents, or other information made or used during the program."

It's like how your doctor isn't allowed to share personal information that you share with them (because, HIPAA). The hope is that offenders will feel more comfortable sharing more information during those programs to help them personally.

There are exceptions to this law, though.

"Service dog trainers gain housing protections"

I also found this law interesting. People who are training service dogs are now allowed the same housing protections as people who have service dogs permanently.

In the past, people who train service dogs in Minnesota have had issues with housing due to pet restrictions. Now, those don't apply to people training a service dog. This law also says that service dog trainers "can’t be charged extra to have the dog but are liable for any damage it might cause."

This doesn't mean you can go out and get a dog and say 'oh, I'm training a service dog now'. The dog "must be actively trained under the guidance of an accredited organization. "

"Increased use of ignition interlock approved for monitoring repeat impaired driving offenders"

The final law has to do with repeat DWI offenders. This law says that people "with multiple DWI offenses who wish to be licensed to drive again will be required to participate in an ignition interlock program." That's the tool when you can't start your car until you blow into a breathalyzer and it registers at 0.

This law also extends how far back they can look for prior offenses. It used to be that they could look back 10 years on your record, but now they can look back 20 years.

Speaking of new things, have you seen all of the new foods for the 2025 Minnesota State Fair yet? Keep scrolling to check it out!