Hellmuth & Johnson is proud to announce that attorney Blake R. Nelson played a leading role in the passage of a new Minnesota law designed to increase transparency and accountability in public construction projects. Governor Tim Walz signed the legislation into law on May 12, 2026, marking a significant advancement for contractors and subcontractors across the state.
Nelson, who serves as both the chair of the construction law practice at Hellmuth & Johnson and President of the Minnesota Subcontractors Association, was instrumental in drafting the legislation and advocating for its passage before the Minnesota House and Senate.
A Major Step Forward for Payment Transparency
The new law requires public contracting agencies to provide detailed payment information upon request to contractors and subcontractors at any tier participating in public improvement projects. The information must include:
- Payment amounts
- Dates of payment or approval
- Copies of payment applications or equivalent documentation
Importantly, agencies must deliver this information within seven calendar days and at no cost to the requesting party.
The law also ensures subcontractors have clear access to agency contact information and, where available, online systems for obtaining payment data.
Supporting Fairness in the Construction Industry
“This legislation is about fairness, transparency, and ensuring that subcontractors have the information they need to protect their businesses,” said Nelson. “Too often, subcontractors lack visibility into whether funds have been paid upstream. This law helps close that gap and promotes accountability across public construction projects.”
Nelson testified extensively throughout the legislative process, working closely with industry stakeholders and lawmakers to ensure the bill addressed real-world challenges faced by subcontractors in Minnesota.
Industry Impact
The passage of SF 1714 represents a meaningful shift in how payment information is handled on public projects. By enhancing transparency, the law is expected to:
- Reduce payment disputes
- Improve cash flow certainty for subcontractors
- Strengthen trust across project participants
- Promote more efficient project administration
The text of the new law may be viewed here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1714/versions/latest/
Blake Nelson is chair of the construction law practice at Hellmuth & Johnson, where he represents contractors, subcontractors, and developers in complex construction and commercial matters. He is also a certified real property law specialist and represents client regarding buying, selling, refinancing and development property. He currently serves as President of the Minnesota Subcontractors Association.