Two weeks before this year’s legislative session must conclude, a committee vote on a potential Equal Rights Amendment could mean the language is before voters two years from now.
As amended, HF173/SF37* would ask voters at the 2026 general election if the state constitution should be amended to codify the right to equality.
The ballot question would be: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to say that all persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state, and shall not be discriminated against on account of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex, including pregnancy, gender, and sexual orientation?”
Approved on a 9-5 party-line vote Monday by the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, the bill heads to the House Floor.