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Minnesota HOA bill to cap homeowner fines heads to Walz’s desk

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Minnesota HOA bill to cap homeowner fines heads to Walz’s desk


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  • A bipartisan bill to reform homeowners’ associations has passed the Minnesota Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature.
  • The legislation caps most HOA fines at $100 and requires board members to disclose potential financial conflicts of interest.
  • The bill also limits an HOA’s ability to charge residents legal fees for questioning fines or charges.

A bipartisan bill limiting homeowners’ association fees, implementing new transparency and conflict-of-interest rules and establishing a path to dissolve some HOAs passed the Minnesota Senate Wednesday. The bill (SF1750) now heads to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk for final approval. 

Homeowners in Minnesota have faced massive charges from their HOAs for questionable construction projects, like new roofs and siding. A 2025 Reformer investigation found that some HOA management companies hired their own subsidiaries to complete expensive construction projects. In at least one case, a homeowner wound up in foreclosure due to hefty assessments. 

The bill passed by the Senate — and previously, by the House — would cap HOA fines at $100, with exceptions for repeat violations, health and safety risks, property damage or illegal rentals. It would require board members and property managers to disclose their financial relationships and recuse themselves from decisions from which they could financially benefit.

If signed into law by Walz, it would also require HOAs to make budgets available prior to meetings and to provide copies of contracts to residents upon request. 

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Multiple homeowners interviewed by the Reformer said that their questions for their HOA were referred to the board’s attorney — and then the resident was charged legal fees for the lawyers’ time. 

The bill would bar HOAs from charging residents legal fees for questioning fines or charges unless a formal hearing is held and the fine or assessment is upheld.

The legislation is the product of years of collaboration and negotiations among homeowners, HOA board members, lawmakers and property management companies. In 2024, the Legislature created a working group tasked with proposing reforms to the state’s laws governing HOAs and similar organizations. Lawmakers on the task force held several listening sessions to hear homeowners’ horror stories (and support for HOAs via some dedicated board members).

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The recommendations from that group became the foundation of the bill passed Wednesday. 

“The reforms in this bill will rein in abusive HOAs by empowering residents with more information, more rights and more protections,” said Sen. Eric Lucero, R-St. Michael, the top Republican on the Senate housing committee and a member of the HOA working group. “This bill is a true bipartisan compromise — in addition to adding consumer protections, nearly every concern raised in good faith was addressed.”

Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.



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Minnesota

Gas Prices In Minnesota Drop To $3.96, Down 15.9 Cents This Week

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Gas Prices In Minnesota Drop To .96, Down 15.9 Cents This Week


UNDATED (WJON News) — Average gasoline prices have declined in virtually every state over the last week as oil prices continued to fall, with crude oil prices approaching $90 per barrel.  However, the future of prices remains uncertain.  GasBuddy says that with the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed, global oil supplies continue to tighten, and any further deterioration in the situation could send prices sharply higher.

Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have decreased by 15.9 cents per gallon over the last week, averaging $3.96.  The national average price of gasoline has fallen 17.9 cents per gallon, averaging $4.09.  The national average price of diesel has decreased 13.8 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.29 per gallon.

History of Minnesota Twins’ Managers

Everyone knows Tom Kelly managed the Twins to their only two World Series Titles, but have you ever wondered who the most successful Twins’ Managers were?

Check out the history of managers for the Minnesota Twins below, along with their records.

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Gallery Credit: Minnesota Twins





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St. Paul’s Grand Old Day brings together community while spotlighting local businesses

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St. Paul’s Grand Old Day brings together community while spotlighting local businesses



It’s the kickoff to summer, known as the Midwest’s largest one-day free street festival.

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The event brings more than 200,000 people to 30 blocks of St. Paul’s historic Grand Avenue, organizers said.

“It’s a way for us to highlight Grand Avenue and all that makes it special year-round,”  said Holly Weinkauf, board president for the Grand Avenue Business Association.

A 5K run and parade kicked off the Sunday tradition that’s gone on more years than not for more than half a century.

“It’s a great community celebration, just seeing everybody come together for a day of joy,” said Weinkauf.

Not only does the event bring people together, but Weinkauf said it’s also a boost for business, in an area that’s faced an exodus in recent years, from Salut to Pottery Barn.

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Weinkauf is the owner of Grand Avenue business Red Balloon Bookshop, which was busy with customers Sunday.    

“Grand Old Day may be the first time they find our store and they come in and… they come back,” said Weinkauf.

Sharon Lane recently moved to St. Paul from Seattle and shares her new resident’s perspective.

“I like the fact that the community has come together as a whole. I like all the different foods that you can taste and it gives me the opportunity to meet people,” said Lane.

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Mille Lacs’ walleye return to same ‘hot spots’ to spawn, protections could be key to their success

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Mille Lacs’ walleye return to same ‘hot spots’ to spawn, protections could be key to their success


The central Minnesota lake’s walleye population has declined in recent decades, and researchers have tried to figure out why. The latest study suggests protecting certain places in the lake where walleyes prefer to reproduce could boost their success.



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