Minnesota is one step away from a sweeping overhaul of the technology systems that power human services programs statewide after lawmakers on May 17 unanimously approved modernization legislation.
The bill passed in the House in a 134-0 vote and advanced through the Senate later that day on a 67-0 vote, according to legislative records. It was presented to Gov. Tim Walz on May 20 and currently awaits his signature.
If signed into law, the measure would launch a statewide human services systems modernization initiative designed to replace decades-old legacy systems while improving automation, interoperability, fraud prevention, applicant portals, and county technology infrastructure. The effort includes an update to one of Minnesota’s oldest IT systems, MAXIS, which is used across the state to process and administer safety-net programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid.
“This is about bringing Minnesota’s human services infrastructure into the 21st century,” Rep. Mohamud Noor, a Minneapolis Democrat, co-chair of the House Human Services Committee, said in a press release. “Our front line workers should not have to rely on systems older than many of the people they serve.”
At the center of the bill is the establishment of the Human Services Systems Modernization Fund, which would serve as a dedicated funding source for the multi-year effort to modernize upgrade aging human-services technology systems, strengthen automation and security, and improve service delivery for workers, counties, Tribal Nations, and residents.
To support the long-term modernization effort, the bill establishes a mechanism to maintain a $50 million balance in the modernization fund. If the balance in the fund falls below $50 million, the commissioner must transfer money from the general fund into the modernization fund.
The fund would allocate $27.941 million to support technology investments at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, including a MAXIS integration layer to improve system interoperability, an artificial intelligence chatbot, economic assistance policy manual consolidation, and a secure online applicant portal.
The modernization fund would also provide $11.47 million to the Department of Human Services and $11.413 million to the Minnesota IT Services for broader human-services IT modernization projects.
New commission, council to oversee modernization
The bill would establish a Human Services Systems Modernization Advisory Council to help guide the state’s long-term technology overhaul efforts. The council would advise the commissioners of human services; children, youth and families; and information technology services on the planning, funding, governance, development, implementation, and modernization of current and future human services systems.
The advisory council would include state officials, county representatives, and a representative of federally recognized tribes located in Minnesota.
The bill would also create a Legislative Commission on Human Services Systems to provide legislative oversight, monitoring, and recommendations regarding the planning, financing, procurement, development, implementation, operation, and modernization of human services systems.
The commission would include eight lawmakers evenly split between the House and Senate, with appointments divided between majority and minority leadership in each chamber.
Initial appointments to the advisory council and legislative commission would be due by Aug. 15, 2026. Both bodies would hold their first meetings by Sept. 15, 2026.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2027, the advisory council would submit annual reports on project status, risks, recommendations, procurement or implementation developments, federal funding opportunities and constraints, and any recommended draft legislation. The legislative commission would submit its own annual reports beginning Feb. 15, 2028. The commission would expire Dec. 31, 2033.
The modernization fund would also provide one-time funding through 2029 to support both the commission and council. The commission would receive $559,000 to oversee human services systems modernization, while $3.9 million would support the council through the commissioner of information technology services.
