Road construction business mitigation grant program created, and report required.

Minnesota House Bill 4886 proposes the creation of a Road Construction Business Mitigation Grant Program aimed at assisting small businesses adversely affected by major road construction projects. The program would provide one-time financial assistance to qualified businesses located within 300 feet of a construction site that experience issues with access, parking, or visibility. To be eligible, a business must employ no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees. The funds could be used for payroll, operating expenses, or facility expenses but not for bonuses, purchasing new equipment, capital improvements, or construction/expansion costs. The program would be funded by allocating 1% of the total budget for each eligible transportation project. Additionally, a designated business liaison would be assigned to communicate with affected business owners and inform them about the grant opportunity. The bill also requires state officials to submit annual reports detailing every grant awarded, including the names and addresses of the recipient businesses. ([revisor.mn.gov](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/HF/4886/versions/0/?utm_source=openai))

MN HF4886 is a house bill in the Minnesota 94th Legislature 2025-2026, sponsored by Liz Lee (D), currently “Introduced” since April 9, 2026.

We track 10,590 Minnesota bills this session, 33 of them sponsored by Liz Lee.

The introduction of HF4886 has been met with support from local business communities and economic development advocates. They view the bill as a proactive measure to mitigate the financial hardships that small businesses often face during extensive road construction projects. By providing targeted financial relief, the program aims to help preserve local jobs and maintain economic stability in affected areas. The allocation of funds from the project budgets is seen as a fair approach to compensating businesses for the disruptions caused by infrastructure improvements. ([myreptracker.com](https://www.myreptracker.com/minnesota/bills/mn-2025-2026-regular-session-hf-4886?utm_source=openai))

Some critics have raised concerns about the bill's potential administrative complexity and the adequacy of the proposed funding. They question whether the 1% allocation from each project budget will be sufficient to cover the needs of all eligible businesses. Additionally, there are apprehensions about the efficiency of the grant distribution process and the capacity of local organizations to manage the funds effectively. These challenges could potentially delay the assistance reaching businesses in need. ([myreptracker.com](https://www.myreptracker.com/minnesota/bills/mn-2025-2026-regular-session-hf-4886?utm_source=openai))