Anticipated Changes for Medical Assistance Recipients in 2026
September 9, 2025 | Cathryn Reher
President Trump signed the Federal Reconciliation Bill (H.R.1) on July 4, 2025. This will change Medical Assistance benefits for most Minnesota recipients. The changes are anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026 at the earliest. The State of Minnesota will need to pass legislation in the 2026 legislative session to remain eligible to receive federal funding for its Medical Assistance programs. After that, the Minnesota Department of Human Services will need to issue policies to implement the legislative changes. The Estate Planning Department at Barna, Guzy & Steffen represents Medical Assistance recipients and their families. BGS is focused on providing our clients and their families with as much time as possible to prepare for these changes. We are actively monitoring the potential impact of the changes to federal and state Medicaid laws and policies. It will be important to continue to track the anticipated changes through media sources, to follow up with your financial case worker and case managers, and to seek counsel as needed through this time of change. If you have questions regarding these upcoming changes the attorneys in our Estate Planning Department are here to assist you.
Read MoreNew Minnesota Law Allows Motorcycle Lane Splitting & Filtering
September 5, 2025 | Adriel B. Villarreal
As of July 1, 2025, lane splitting and lane filtering are now legal in Minnesota. This change allows motorcyclists to share lanes with other vehicles in slow and stopped traffic. The new law comes with restrictions, and both riders and drivers should exercise caution to maintain safety for everyone on the roads. What Are Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering? Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist passes another vehicle in their same lane of traffic. The new Minnesota law allows this practice with certain speed restrictions. The motorcyclist must not exceed 25 mph and must not move faster than 15 mph over the speed of traffic around them. Lane filtering is a similar practice that involves a motorcyclist passing through stopped traffic, such as in a traffic jam or at a stoplight. According to the new law in Minnesota, the motorcyclist must not exceed 15 mph as they pass stopped vehicles in their same lane. Here are some other important points to note: Lane splitting and lane filtering are not allowed in roundabouts, school zones, freeway on-ramps, and work zones where only a single lane is available. Drivers are not allowed to actively prohibit motorcyclists who are attempting to lane split or filter. While lane splitting and filtering are now allowed under Minnesota law,…
Read MoreMinnesota Updates Its Cannabis Law
September 3, 2025 | Scott M. Hagel
Minnesota recently updated its cannabis law, adding a number of changes regarding business licensing, the lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) industry, and medical cannabis. The changes were introduced in Senate File (SF) 2370, which was approved by Governor Tim Walz and became effective May 24, 2025. Many of the changes were recommended by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), which was established in 2023. Below, we’ll summarize the key changes in the new law. Cannabis Business Licensing Changes The cannabis market has gotten off to a slow start in Minnesota since adult-use cannabis was legalized in 2023. Many of the changes in the new law aim to help cannabis businesses launch. Testing facility licenses: Testing facilities are necessary to ensure cannabis products’ safety before selling them to consumers. The new law allows OCM to issue a cannabis testing facility license to an applicant while their laboratory accreditation is pending. This will allow testing facilities to open more quickly, ensuring there are enough facilities to meet the demand of retailers. Local registration: Similarly, local governments can now issue retail registrations to applicants with preliminary approval, streamlining the launch process for cannabis businesses. Application process: The cannabis business application process has also been simplified, including the removal of duplicative application requirements and officer signatures. Social equity…
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