Advocacy in Action: 2026 Legislative Session Recap
You showed up in 2026 – and it made a difference.
From St. Paul to Washington, D.C., bankers brought the community banking perspective directly to lawmakers, responded when your voices were needed, and helped shape outcomes affecting your bank, your customers, and your community.
Stronger Advocacy Starts with Engagement
Throughout the session, you stayed informed and involved through:
- BankIn Minnesota's Legislative Committee
- Weekly Legislative Update emails
- Capitol Check-In calls
- Direct outreach and relationship-building with lawmakers
You know that strong advocacy starts long before a vote is taken.
Your Voice at the Capitol
BankIn Minnesota President & CEO Rich Jones and Granite Bank President & CEO Jerry Reiter testified before the House Tax Committee in support of community bank tax relief legislation – bringing the real-world impact on small businesses, family farms, and local economies into the conversation.
Advocacy Shaped Outcomes
During the 2026 session:
- Harmful safe deposit box provisions removed from proposed unclaimed property legislation
- Safe harbor protections secured
- Banking concerns addressed through ongoing engagement with lawmakers, agencies, and stakeholders
Your engagement helped move these conversations in a better direction for community banks.
You Took Community Banking to Washington
37 Minnesotans traveled to Washington, D.C., for the ICBA Capital Summit.
Together, you met with Minnesota's U.S. senators and congressional staff and brought your local perspective to conversations about stablecoins and digital assets, housing-related legislation, Section 1071, and other federal issues affecting your banks and customers.
You Made This Advocacy Stronger
You joined Capitol Check-Ins.
You responded to Action Alerts.
You met with lawmakers.
You traveled to Washington.
You shared stories from your communities.
Your engagement made a difference.
The Session Ended. Advocacy Didn't.
Now we're building on that momentum – strengthening relationships with lawmakers and candidates, preparing for the 2027 legislative session, and continuing to advocate for policies that help your bank and your community thrive.