From lane-splitting to the state fossil, these are Minnesota's newest laws
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The lane-splitting law caps speeds for the move at 25 mph. Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images
Parched concert-goers, motorcyclists and young social media influencers get new protections in Minnesota as of July 1.
The big picture: A long list of laws taking effect, including changes targeting those three groups, will impact Minnesotans' lives in ways big and small.
State of play: Many of the new provisions, including tens of billions of dollars in spending, passed as part of the two-year state budget last month.
Zoom in: Here are some of the notable new laws, according to an annual list released by the Minnesota House's Public Information Services.
💧 Venues hosting ticketed events for 100 or more attendees must provide free water and allow people to bring sealed or empty water bottles inside.
🏍️ Motorcyclists can legally pass between lanes of traffic under a new lane-splitting law that supporters say is aimed at improving flow and reducing accidents.
- The fine print: They have to be traveling in the same direction and going 25mph or less.
📲 Some kids featured in online videos or photos posted by "content creators" will be guaranteed a portion of the profits — which must be deposited into a trust account until they turn 18 — under a first-of-its-kind law meant to protect young people from exploitation.
🦫 In news that lovers of paleontology and astronomy will appreciate: Minnesota now has a state fossil (the giant beaver) and constellation (Ursa Minor, aka the Little Dipper).
🤒 Employers may request a doctor's note after a worker takes two or more days off under the state's guaranteed paid sick time law.
- The original law allowed workplaces to ask for documentation after three days.
📆 Districts can move the first day of school up to Sept. 1 — instead of the traditional post-Labor Day start — for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years, when the holiday falls in the second week in the month.
- Other changes encourage school boards to add a student representative and allow students to carry — and use — anti-overdose medicines like Narcan on campus.
🎣 Open season for largemouth and smallmouth bass now lasts all year.
- Supporters, including the Department of Natural Resources, say the species' population is in good enough shape to support the change.
🛥️ As we reported last week, boaters under 21 need a permit to operate a vessel without supervision.
👶 Pediatricians must tell parents about signs of infant abuse and give instructions on how to report suspected issues.
- Another change related to protecting patient health requires consent for sensitive procedures like pelvic or prostate exams in most cases.
Go deeper with the full list