Photo: senate.mnMN · Officeholder
Democratic-Farmer-LaborState Senator · District 36
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: Minnesota Senate District 36
Heather Gustafson is a Democratic state senator who has represented Minnesota Senate District 36 since January 2023 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2] A former radio broadcaster and high school teacher, she says her focus has been affordability, public safety and government accountability.[1][3]
Heather Gustafson was born in Sartell, Minnesota, and lives in Vadnais Heights.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.[1] In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey, she said she spent 14 years in broadcasting before earning a teaching license and a Master of Education from the College of Saint Scholastica, and then taught high school history, including in the Centennial School District.[3]
Gustafson took office on January 3, 2023, succeeding John Hoffman.[1] In the 2026 survey, she said she is Vice Chair of the Education Finance Committee and of the State and Local Government Committee, a member of the Jobs and Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Veterans committees, and chair of the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission.[3] She listed lowering costs for families, supporting strong schools and building safe communities among her campaign messages.[3]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Heather Gustafson is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 36 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. How topics are assigned
Most contested
Makes changes to Minnesota's cannabis law, including creating a cannabis macrobusiness license, streamlining adult-use and medical cannabis rules, requiring endorsements for authorized activities, changing labeling rules, and letting hemp license holders also hold cannabis licenses.
May 17, 2026 · Passed 34–33Official record ↗
Various agency forecast adjustments
On the version voted May 16, 2026: Adjusts fiscal year 2026 and 2027 education, human services and Metro Mobility appropriations to match the February 2026 forecast, and changes K-12 programs, including new aid for Tribal contract schools and extended restroom grants.
May 15, 2026 · Passed 34–33Official record ↗
Omnibus Human Services supplemental appropriations
On the version voted May 17, 2026: Makes human services supplemental budget changes, including Medicaid continuity of care, long-term care facility rules, background studies, behavioral health, electronic visit verification, and appropriations for the Department of Human Services and other agencies.
May 6, 2026 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Most contested
Creates a privilege from civil immigration arrest for people attending court proceedings and bars staff at health care facilities, schools, colleges and child care centers from allowing civil immigration enforcement entry without a judicial warrant. Adds civil remedies and changes the concealing-identity crime.
May 11, 2026 · Passed 34–33Official record ↗
Requires owners of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines to certify them with the state, bars licensed dealers from selling them, bans untraceable ghost guns, tightens safe-storage and school weapon rules, expands extreme risk protection orders, and funds school safety and mental health programs.
May 4, 2026 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Changes campaign finance reporting, disclaimer and disclosure rules, including for noncoordinated spending, makes certain street address data private, changes rules on campaign spending for security, changes absentee voting and other election procedures and timelines, and bars certain betting on elections.
Apr 23, 2026 · Passed 34–33Official record ↗
Most contested
Health and human services finance bill.
Sets fiscal 2026–27 funding for the Departments of Human Services, Health, and Children, Youth, and Families, and changes health, health licensing board, pharmacy benefit, health care, behavioral health, program integrity, economic support, child protection, and child care and early learning policies.
May 14, 2025 · Failed 33–33Official record ↗
Makes changes to Minnesota's cannabis law, including creating a cannabis macrobusiness license, streamlining adult-use and medical cannabis rules, requiring endorsements for authorized activities, changing labeling rules, and letting hemp license holders also hold cannabis licenses.
May 17, 2026 · Passed 34–33Official record ↗
Exception to the hospital construction moratorium provided.
Adds an exception to the hospital construction moratorium for a project to add 85 licensed beds at an existing safety net, level I trauma center hospital in Ramsey County.
May 7, 2026 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Most contested
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot letting permanent school fund distributions be set by law instead of limited to interest and dividends; a companion law sets them at 4.5% of the fund's three-year average value.
May 16, 2026 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Various agency forecast adjustments
On the version voted May 16, 2026: Adjusts fiscal year 2026 and 2027 education, human services and Metro Mobility appropriations to match the February 2026 forecast, and changes K-12 programs, including new aid for Tribal contract schools and extended restroom grants.
May 15, 2026 · Passed 34–33Official record ↗
Higher education finance and policy bill.
On the version voted May 16, 2026: Makes higher education changes, including paid blood-donation leave for MnState employees, a ban on mandatory MnState student fees for athletic facilities not open to all students, written explanations before developmental courses, and supplemental appropriations.
May 11, 2026 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Most contested
Exempts plug-in solar devices up to 1,200 watts from utility interconnection agreements, net metering and utility fees or approvals, though utilities may require registration; extends energy grant deadlines; lets the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority borrow money and sell loans; and changes heat pump rebate rules.
May 12, 2026 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Appropriates money for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage funds, extends some prior appropriations, and changes reporting and accountability requirements.
May 12, 2025 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy and Lands bill
On the version voted May 17, 2026: Appropriates $191.1 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for fiscal 2027 and $80,000 to the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute for legal costs, changes state land and DNR licensing provisions, and extends unemployment benefits for certain iron ore mining workers.
Apr 29, 2025 · Failed 33–33Official record ↗
Most contested
Provides $40 million one time to counties ($35.2 million) and Tribal governments ($4.8 million) for emergency rental assistance to households at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, and temporarily sets 30 days to correct delinquent rent before an eviction action.
Mar 11, 2026 · Failed 33–34Official record ↗
Supportive housing provider grant funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.
Directs $9 million of existing state supportive housing money to providers whose federal Continuum of Care grants have expired or will expire and face funding gaps, and requires grantees to report to the Housing Finance Agency every 90 days, which then reports to the Legislature.
Mar 26, 2026 · Failed 32–35Official record ↗
Limits manufactured home park rent increases to one a year and presumes increases above 3% unreasonable, caps late fees at 8%, requires itemized utility bills and fee-free payment options, and lets residents offer to buy before a park is sold.
Apr 21, 2026 · Passed 34–32Official record ↗
Most contested
Agriculture and broadband development policy and finance bill.
On the version voted May 18, 2025: Sets fiscal 2026–27 funding for the Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and Office of Broadband Development, and changes livestock dealer licensing, food handler licensing, cottage food exemptions and some fees.
Apr 30, 2025 · Failed 33–33Official record ↗
Nudification technology access prohibited.
Bars owners of websites and apps from letting users nudify images or videos of identifiable people, or doing so for them, unless the service requires user technical skill; bans advertising such services; lets depicted people sue; allows attorney general penalties up to $500,000 per violation.
Apr 29, 2026 · Failed 31–34Official record ↗
Jun 9, 2025 · Passed 40–26Official record ↗
Most contested
Requires riders under 18 to wear helmets on electric-assisted bicycles, redefines motorized bicycles and bars them from bike paths and sidewalks, sets electrical safety standards for their sale, and funds a state motorized bicycle safety coordinator and public education campaign.
May 15, 2026 · Failed 33–33Official record ↗
Transportation finance and policy bill.
Jun 9, 2025 · Passed 35–32Official record ↗
On the version voted May 17, 2025: Lengthens driver's license revocations for certain impaired-driving offenses, changes required ignition interlock periods, requires interlock participants to finish treatment before full driving privileges return, makes driving a vehicle without the required device a crime, and makes criminal vehicular homicide offenders eligible for the program.
May 7, 2025 · Passed 39–28Official record ↗
Most contested
Omnibus Veterans policy and appropriations
Sets fiscal 2026–27 funding for the Department of Military Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs, changes veterans services and benefits, provides benefits to veterans of the Secret War in Laos, and orders a Capitol plaque honoring Gold Star and Blue Star families.
May 17, 2025 · Passed 38–25Official record ↗
Omnibus Veterans policy and supplemental appropriations
Apr 22, 2026 · Passed 58–8Official record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 8 of 412 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (3), Rights & public safety (3), Education & families (2)
Relating to state government finance; appropriating and transferring money for prekindergarten through grade 12 education, higher education, agriculture, state government, environment and natural resources, energy, renewable development, jobs and economic…
What it does: Makes supplemental appropriations and transfers across education, higher education, state government, environment, energy, jobs, labor and public safety, and creates a battery stewardship program while changing Medica…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 12–22, Republicans 31–1
May 5, 2026Official record ↗
Relating to state government finance; appropriating and transferring money for prekindergarten through grade 12 education, higher education, agriculture, state government, environment and natural resources, energy, renewable development, jobs and economic…
What it does: Makes supplemental appropriations and transfers across education, higher education, state government, environment, energy, jobs, labor and public safety, and creates a battery stewardship program while changing Medica…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 9–25, Republicans 32–0
May 5, 2026Official record ↗
Commissioner of human services required to release unredacted initial Optum reports, and dissemination and publication of data prohibited.
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 13–21, Republicans 33–0
Mar 25, 2026Official record ↗
Common interest communities provisions modifications
What it does: On the version voted May 6, 2026: Changes rules for homeowners and condominium associations: caps late fees at the greater of $20 or 5%, generally caps fines at $100 per violation, gives owners hearing rights, limits…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 9–24, Republicans 17–15
May 6, 2025Official record ↗
Relating to employment; modifying earned sick and safe time provisions
What it does: Changes the earned sick and safe time law: exempts employers with fewer than four employees, allows documentation requests after more than two consecutive days off instead of three, and lets employers with more genero…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 8–26, Republicans 33–0
May 6, 2025Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
With most of their party · Failed 33–33 · Yes 33–No 33 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 33–0
May 15, 2026Official record ↗
Health and human services finance bill.
With most of their party · Failed 33–33 · Yes 33–No 33 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 33–0
May 14, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 34–33 · Yes 34–No 33 · Democrats 34–0, Republicans 0–33
May 17, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 33–34 · Yes 33–No 34 · Democrats 0–34, Republicans 33–0
May 16, 2026Official record ↗
Various agency forecast adjustments
With most of their party · Passed 34–33 · Yes 34–No 33 · Democrats 34–0, Republicans 0–33
May 15, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 33–34 · Yes 33–No 34 · Democrats 0–34, Republicans 33–0
May 12, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 34–33 · Yes 34–No 33 · Democrats 34–0, Republicans 0–33
May 11, 2026Official record ↗
Higher education finance and policy bill.
With most of their party · Failed 33–34 · Yes 33–No 34 · Democrats 0–34, Republicans 33–0
May 11, 2026Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: Adoption of the motion: to suspend Rule 26
Excludes State Patrol lieutenants from the 'patrol trooper' category, drops benefits from the law enforcement compensation survey and continues it every odd year through 2037, and allows volunteer chaplains to support the State Patrol.
Motion: That the foregoing recommendations and Conference Committee Report on SF 2077 be now adopted, and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee
Appropriates $191.1 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for fiscal 2027 and $80,000 to the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute for legal costs, changes state land and DNR licensing provisions, and extends unemployment benefits for certain iron ore mining workers.
Motion: Repassage of the bill, as amended by the Conference Committee
Appropriates $191.1 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for fiscal 2027 and $80,000 to the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute for legal costs, changes state land and DNR licensing provisions, and extends unemployment benefits for certain iron ore mining workers.
Motion: That the foregoing recommendations and Conference Committee Report on SF 4612 be now adopted, and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee
Makes health and children and families supplemental budget changes, including Department of Health, hospital stabilization, health licensing board, medical assistance fraud prevention and child care licensing provisions, plus forecast adjustments and agency appropriations.
Motion: Repassage of the bill, as amended by the Conference Committee
Makes health and children and families supplemental budget changes, including Department of Health, hospital stabilization, health licensing board, medical assistance fraud prevention and child care licensing provisions, plus forecast adjustments and agency appropriations.
Motion: That the foregoing recommendations and Conference Committee Report on SF 4476 be now adopted, and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee
Makes human services supplemental budget changes, including Medicaid continuity of care, long-term care facility rules, background studies, behavioral health, electronic visit verification, and appropriations for the Department of Human Services and other agencies.
Motion: Repassage of the bill, as amended by the Conference Committee
Makes human services supplemental budget changes, including Medicaid continuity of care, long-term care facility rules, background studies, behavioral health, electronic visit verification, and appropriations for the Department of Human Services and other agencies.
Motion: That the foregoing recommendations and Conference Committee Report on HF 2438 be now adopted, and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee
Conforms Minnesota's income tax to most changes in federal Public Law 119-21, with exceptions such as a 1% floor on charitable deductions, and makes other state and local tax changes.
Motion: Repassage of the bill, as amended by the Conference Committee
Conforms Minnesota's income tax to most changes in federal Public Law 119-21, with exceptions such as a 1% floor on charitable deductions, and makes other state and local tax changes.
Motion: Passage of the bill
Appropriates general fund money in fiscal year 2027 for capital improvements to land and buildings, establishes new programs and modifies existing ones, and modifies and cancels prior appropriations.
Showing 10 of 491 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.