The Minnesota Latino Leadership Alliance (MiLLA) is a coalition of Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations committed to advocating for the social, economic, legal, and political needs of the Hispanic/Latine/x community in Minnesota. MiLLA’s organizations have come together to elevate a collective influence to produce policy and system change. MiLLA’s full policy agenda includes education, environmental justice, health and well-being, economic and workforce development, belonging and integration, and arts and cultural development. It is MiLLA’s hope that this agenda will serve as a key roadmap for improving the lives of Hispanic/Latine/x Minnesotans, advancing equity in the state, and making Minnesota more prosperous.

A win for one of us is a win for all. The legislative agenda we present reflects our collective strategy as an alliance—but it does not limit any individual member or organization from pursuing their own policy goals or forming sub-alliances to advance shared priorities. MiLLA is establishing and supporting this agenda by consensus. We also acknowledge that by legislative mandate, MCLA is tasked to advance all legislative issues brought to their attention and prioritized every session. This framework is designed to provide clarity, direction, and alignment across our coalition while honoring the leadership and expertise of each member.

We recognize that not every issue MiLLA supports can be at the center of our collective strategy in a given year. To that end, we have organized our 2026 legislative priorities into four categories: lead, support, endorse, and defend.

· prORITY 1: Paid Family and Medical Leave Reform

As possibly the most significant and controversial piece of legislation passed in recent Minnesota history, PFML has been under continuous attack. With the reality of fraud as the number one issue in the landscape currently, it is facing heightened criticism for potential vulnerabilities. DFL members of the legislature have already indicated willingness to explore and pass reform to the system. PFML is a massively important law to all Minnesotans and has had massively positive implications for Minnesota’s Latino community through the introduction of new worker’s rights laws and benefits. Whatever reform comes out of this session must be good reform for Latino workers, that furthers their rights under Minnesota law. MiLLA must develop a position on reform and advocate in the interests of workers.

· PRIORITY 2: Small Business Support

Minnesota’s Latino small business community, the backbone of the community at large, has been consistently under threat through targeting by federal law enforcement and immigration agencies. This is having severe implications on Minnesota’s Latino community, threatening the livelihood of small business owners, stoking fear in workers going to their workplaces, and making it difficult for community members to frequent their local businesses. The state must act on passing significant legislation protecting small businesses in this moment. Finding a member to work on legislation with will be important.

·  PRIORITY 3: Non-profit Reform and Bonding

Fraud will be the hot-button topic of the 2026 legislative session. As a result, there will be massive scrutiny on star funding for non-profit programming and services. MiLLA’s membership understands how crucial state funding for the non-profit organizations that provide essential services to community members is. The ability of Minnesota's non-profits, including Latino-serving organizations, to carry out that work must be protected. The POCI caucus has already indicated that it will lead the fight to protect non-profit inclusion in the bonding bill. Close coordination with those members and advocacy for this funding will be key.

What MiLLA Will Defend

Given the realities of federal actions that impact undocumented communities and increasing efforts to sue or penalize states that have extended public benefits to undocumented residents, MiLLA stands ready to defend key policies and protections in Minnesota. 

· PRIORITY: Protecting Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) & Earned Sick and Safe Time
Immigration status-neutral design may come under legal or political attack once the program launches statewide. There will be reform made to the program, and it will be important for MiLLA to develop a position on how that reform should be implemented.

· PRIORITY: Protecting North Star Promise Scholarship (2023)
National conservative groups are targeting tuition and aid access for undocumented students. The state is currently contesting a federal suite. Possibility of budget amendments or eligibility restrictions in 2026. This will be a prime target for Republicans this session.

· PRIORITY: Protecting Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA)
May face limitations through reinterpretation, administrative barriers, or exclusion of chronic illness coverage.

· PRIORITY: Protecting Medical Assistance for Pregnant Undocumented Individuals
Federal audits or state-level anti-immigrant backlash could pressure changes. Conservative groups may attempt to challenge eligibility criteria.

· Driver’s Licenses for All (2023)
GOP-led lawsuits in other states have challenged similar laws. Risk of federal pressure to restrict sharing of DMV data. ICE subpoenas possible.

· Minnesota Dream Act (2013)
While longstanding, it may be indirectly weakened through administrative changes to financial aid or tuition policies. The state is currently contesting a federal suite on this.

· MinnesotaCare for Undocumented Children (Post-2025 revision)
After rollback for adults in 2025, there’s risk of further restriction targeting undocumented minors. Budget pressures may increase scrutiny.

· ITIN Acceptance in Rental Applications (2024)
Could be targeted in efforts to restrict landlord liability or narrow ID definitions. Landlord lobby or conservative legislators may seek repeal.

· Universal Free School Meals
While not explicitly immigration-related, could be framed as overreach in budget fights. Undocumented kids' access to meals might become a flashpoint.

· WIC Eligibility Regardless of Status
Federal rule changes could limit participation or reporting requirements. State flexibility may be reduced.

· Sliding Scale Access at Community Health Centers
Could be targeted indirectly through budget cuts or redefinition of “eligible” patients tied to federal dollars.

Strengthen Bipartisan Legislative Relationships

MiLLA is committed to deepening relationships with legislators across party lines to foster understanding of Latino community priorities and build durable support for our long-term policy goals. Beyond advancing specific legislation, this effort focuses on creating a framework of trust, education, and collaboration that enables legislators to champion MiLLA’s initiatives and the Latino community’s well-being for years to come.

What MiLLA will Lead on

These are MiLLA’s top-priority legislative efforts—policies that directly reflect our shared mission, values, and vision for Latino communities across Minnesota. A current MiLLA member leads these efforts, managing the policy language, working with the chief authors, and guiding every aspect of the initiative. Collectively, MiLLA will build and strengthen coalitions around these priorities, collaborate closely with the lead member on strategy, public messaging, and media coverage, and work directly with legislators to ensure these efforts are introduced and successfully passed.

· PRIORITY: Protecting non-profit service providers and their funding
Policy/Ask: There will be an overhaul/update of grant management and distribution of funds to Non profits in MN.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: This will be the key focus of session. We will need to fight to ensure community serving non profits don’t get thrown under the bus. POCI caucus will be leading this charge to protect funding.

· Bonding/GO
Policy/Ask: Secure funding for the Latino Center for Community Engagement (LCCE).
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: It’s a unique Latino-led institution with broad support, shovel-ready, and fits within equity-driven legacy investments.

· Legacy Finance / Cultural & Outdoor Resources
Policy/Ask: Fund the Minnesota Latino Museum (development & operations).
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Deferred in 2025; renewed push allows MiLLA to showcase cultural leadership in MN’s arts funding landscape. Built from the historic attendance of Alebrijes and helps develop Latino representation in spaces we’re deprived of.

What MiLLA Will Support

These are legislative efforts led by a current MiLLA member who may already be working to advance these policy issues as an individual organization or as part of a separate coalition. While MiLLA may not serve as the lead architect or public spokesperson, we will offer our public support, engage in coalition spaces around the issue, and uplift these efforts as they align with our core values. Our support may include mobilizing our base, participating in advocacy days, submitting testimony, or amplifying messages to policymakers. These are initiatives where solidarity and collaboration strengthen the collective power of our movements.

·  PRIORITY: North Star Alliance Bill
Policy/Ask: Protections for schools and students in response to ICE operations on public school grounds.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: A necessary bill to meet this moment and protect communities in light of the massive federal presence.

·  PRIORITY: Workforce/Economic Development
Policy/Ask: Small business support in the face of immigration enforcement.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Attacks on our community’s small businesses are increasing as federal immigration enforcement illegally intimidates property owners and workers. Legislative action to protect small businesses is important.

·  Higher Ed / Education Policy
Policy/Ask: Support implementation of OHE Cultural Bias Review for course placement.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Important equity reform; MiLLA helped pass the mandate and will now support finalization. Should not have a large fiscal note attached to the language of the bill.

·  Education Policy
Policy/Ask: Support increased funding and increased pathways for bilingual/multilingual learner support.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: MiLLA will be a vocal ally; COPAL and LatinoLEAD have leadership here.

·  Judiciary & Public Safety / Immigration
Policy/Ask: Advance the North Star Act to restrict local-federal cooperation on immigration enforcement.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Endorse the coalition’s work but low chances of passing. MiLLA has moral authority and public mandate; builds on years of groundwork; rising urgency in case of Trump reelection.

·  Commerce / State Government Finance
Policy/Ask: Reform supplier diversity laws and procurement standards.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Supports Latino businesses and job growth; Latino Chamber, and MiLLA have capacity and policy momentum here.

·  Licensing Reform
Policy/Ask: Endorse implementation of licensing reforms across sectors for more representation.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Multiple licenses in MN have extensive criteria that disadvantage our communities especially foreign trained and license holders. Helps create generational wealth.

·  Health & Human Services Finance
Policy/Ask: Defend Health access to undocumented immigrants.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Making it a priority to actively defend any and all health-related access programs to our communities.

What MiLLA Will Endorse

These are legislative proposals that MiLLA does not lead, or does not have a member or member’s coalition leading with direct MiLLA support. While we are not directly involved in shaping the strategy or implementation of these efforts, they align with our mission and values. We recognize the importance of these initiatives in advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for Latino communities and other historically marginalized groups. Our endorsement may include signing letters of support, raising awareness among our members, or expressing our backing in public or legislative forums as needed.

·  Education Policy / Higher Ed Finance
Policy/Ask: Expand and strengthen the Aspiring Teachers of Color Act (ITCA).
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: We know funding was removed for this upcoming year, we should still endorse this coalition. Addresses persistent teacher diversity gaps; MiLLA is trusted on this issue and has member orgs with education expertise.

·  Health & Human Services Finance
Policy/Ask: Advance MinnesotaCare Public Option.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Key step in health equity; intersects with MiLLA values but led by broader coalitions. Low chances of passing but we should endorse the coalition.

·  Housing Finance & Policy
Policy/Ask: Pass a constitutional amendment to guarantee housing as a right - Our Future Starts at Home.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: Multi-coalition push with high media visibility; MiLLA can lend moral voice without needing to lead. Long haul issue - will take years to pass.

·  Energy / Climate
Policy/Ask: Endorse continued push for 100% Clean Energy Standard.
Why It’s Strategic in 2026: MiLLA aligns with BIPOC climate advocates, especially in Greater MN.