The Minnesota Association of Townships Legislative & Research (L&R) Committee develops, reviews, and recommends legislative actions on behalf of townships. All township officers are invited and encouraged to attend.
LEGISLATIVE AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE FALL MEETING
MAT Legislative Committee Sets Priorities for 2027
The Minnesota Association of Townships’ Legislative & Research (L&R) Committee met September 15 at the MAT office in St. Michael, with attendees participating from across the state. The committee reviewed the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, discussed the current state of townships in Minnesota, and considered issues and emerging challenges affecting township government and residents.
A key focus of the meeting was identifying and prioritizing the issues that should guide MAT’s advocacy during the 2027 Minnesota Legislative Session. Following discussion and debate, the committee recommended the following five priorities:
Road and Bridge Funding
Emergency Medical Services and Fire Funding
Annexation Reform
Town Aid
Broadband and Connectivity
These priorities reflect some of the most significant issues facing Minnesota townships and will help guide MAT’s legislative efforts at the State Capitol in 2027.
The committee also considered a series of resolutions. Following discussion and amendment where appropriate, the committee approved the following resolutions for advancement:
Be it resolved that the Minnesota Association of Townships should oppose any effort to pre-empt local control with respect to Data Centers and associated facilities
Be it resolved that MAT supports stable funding for township roads and bridges at $125 million annually
Be it resolved that MAT supports Township Access to state aid on a per-resident equal basis to cities.
Be it resolved that MAT supports reform of Minnesota’s Annexation laws to give township residents more control in the process.
Be it resolved that MAT opposes all new unfunded state mandates, particularly when those mandates do not take into consideration local factors like community size, staff capacity, et cetera.
Be it resolved that MAT supports updates to Minnesota’s Township laws to protect town clerks, protect our historic rights-of-way, protect deputies, et cetera.
Be it resolved that MAT supports efforts to redirect solar capacity generation away from prime farmland.
Be it resolved that MAT supports holding contractors to the same littering laws as individuals are, with fines going back to the road authority.
The resolutions approved by the L&R Committee will be forwarded for consideration by the broader membership. The committee serves as an important forum for identifying issues of statewide concern and helping shape the Association's legislative agenda for upcoming sessions.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion and to MAT’s ongoing legislative advocacy on behalf of Minnesota townships.
Presentation at the Fall 2026 L&R Meeting by MAT In-House Counsel Graham Berg-Moberg