The MN Legislature is in session. Hot topics related (or tangential) to broadband seem to surround data centers, artificial intelligence (AI) and security or privacy of online tools, such as social media. You can find links to the related bills in the State News section below.

EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Summit!
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development is hosting the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

State News   

• MN students involved with promoting media literacy at the Legislature SF2565
• 2025 MN Legislative Review: MN approved $50 million for deployment grants
• New MN Bill: End the state’s tax exemption for digital advertising, sales and services HF4343
• MN Bill Introduced: Requirements for social media platforms related to accounts for minors established HF4138
• MinnPost gives a current overview of Data Center issues at the MN Legislature
• New MN Bill: extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity HF3860
• New MN Bill: Open Meeting Law; meeting broadcasting through social media authorized HF3295
• New MN Bill introduced: Require payment of certain local government utility costs related to trunk highway construction SF4051
• New MN Bill introduced: Municipalities prohibition from entering into nondisclosure agreements SF4379
• New MN Bill introduced: providing requirements for artificial intelligence chatbot technology HF4452
• New MN Bill introduced: require age monitoring and verification for social media platforms HF4138
• New MN Bill introduced: requiring public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development HF4296
• MN House Committee hears from local expert on Workforce and AI (artificial intelligence)
• Emily Thabes running for a seat in Minnesota House 2B – mentions broadband as an interest
• New MN Bill introduced: relating to modifying tax exemption for data centers HF4173
• New MN Bill introduced: relating to preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers HF4153
• New MN Bill introduced: authorize live broadcast meetings subject to the Open Meeting Law using social media HF3295
• New MN Bill introduced: Prohibiting municipalities from entering into​ nondisclosure agreements HF4077
• MN lawmakers are proposing bills to regulate access to artificial intelligence
• New MN Bill introduced: Requiring cameras in licensed child care centers that receive state funding (Info only)
• New MN Bill introduced: Certain users of large amounts of groundwater required to apply for their own water-use permit (HF3793)
• Press Conference: MN Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Regulate Artificial Intelligence
• New MN Bill introduced: Data centers excluded from gross annual retail energy sales for energy conservation and optimization purposes (HF3296)

National News

• Six Reasons Americans Should Care About the Privacy and Security of Their Personal Data Held by the Government
• Some members of the Supreme Court have concerns about knowledge of the internet
• Four Ideas to Help BEAD Succeed – from Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
• FCC Updates Covered List to Include Foreign-Made Consumer Routers, Prohibiting Approval of New Models
• Daily Yonder catches the podcast wave – talking about Data Centers
• REPORT:BRIDGING THE BROADBAND HEALTHGAP: How High Speed Internet Access is a ‘Super’ Social Determinant of Health
• Video: What Rural Communities Need to Know about Data Centers
• Concerns are emerging over unallocated of BEAD nondeployment funds
• Study finds that telehealth has supports older adults, even post-pandemic
• Direction on BEAD non-deployment funds will wait until after State Broadband Leaders Network Winter Summit

Vendor/Technology News

• What is the digital last inch? And how does it impact counties?
• How is social media use linked to views of democracy?
• Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion projects estimated at almost $8 million
• Fiber cables help understand modern farming in a surprising way
• Industry leaders talk about Data Centers facing permitting, economic, and community Support obstacles
• Bluepeak expands fiber to East Grand Forks
• Mereo Fiber acquires Data Stream Incorporated and Xcelerate Networks
• Jon Eichten is named new MN chief information officer and commissioner of Minnesota IT Services
• Fidium and Flexential partner up for data centers in MN and TX
• FCC denies Savage Communications request for waiver of the Commission’s RDOF non-compliance rules

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

• An introduction to the Minnesota Broadband Charter from the Office of Broadband Development
• MN Office of Broadband Development Updates: Save the date! April 29, Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit

Local Broadband News

Aitkin County
Paul Bunyan Communications expanding fiber to more than 2,400 Homes and Businesses in Central Aitkin County

Great Scott Township
Paul Bunyan Communications finishes broadband expansion in Great Scott and unorganzied Township in St. Louis County
Broadband expanded to more than 100 households in Great Scott Township and Mountain Iron

Hermantown
Google plans to open a large data center in Hermantown

Hubbard County
Paul Bunyan Communications expands fiber to more than 3,200 Homes and Businesses in Northern Minnesota

St Louis County
St. Louis County names new development director with experience in broadband expansion
Paul Bunyan Communications expanding fiber to more than 600 more locations in 2026 in St Louis County
Two providers are looking at expanding to Eagles Nest Township (St Louis County)

Stearns County
Stearns County Administrator Mike Williams retires after tenure of broadband expansion

Twin Cities
Arvig expands broadband service to Twin Cities with connection to Eagan Data Center

Wadena
Wadena County talks about plans for future, giving a nod to broadband progress

Willmar
Willmar Council to consider agreements for Willmar Connect initiative on March 16, 2026
Willmar City Council offers contact to build community network to third option Kramer Group
Willmar Council rescinds contract offer to NC3 and goes with the Kramer Group to build network for community broadband

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENT April 7: MN House Committee on 3 bills relates to online privacy and contracts (HF4456, HF4544 & HF3698)
• EVENT April 7: Webinar on Telehealth Access Points and Digital Navigation
• EVENT April 9: OBD Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC) and the Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA)
• EVENT April 15: Local Dollars, Local Solutions: Digital Equity Tax Money & How to Negotiate Better AI Data Center Deals
• EVENT April 16: OBD Office of Pipeline Safety
• EVENT April 23: OBD State Historic Preservation Office
• EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Summit!
• EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT May 21: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT June 18: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Aug 13: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Sept 16: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Oct 8: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Nov 12: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Dec 10: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• OPPORTUNITY: MN Technology Advisory Council seats open
• Worth sharing: That text or email about your “tax refund” is a scam