Small Business Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Make Minnesota Keys Legal

Media Advisory

May 12, 2025

Contact: Bruceanne Phillips
651-252-8253
[email protected]

Small Business Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Make Minnesota Keys Legal

Representatives from a broad coalition of Minnesota industries—include housing, labor, construction, manufacturing, retail, outdoor recreation, and the security industry—will hold a press conference urging immediate legislative action to fix the 2023 Minnesota law making it illegal to sell, replace, and distribute keys Minnesotans rely on every day.

The law passed without sufficient stakeholder input, has created a crisis by effectively banning most keys in everyday use—residential, commercial, automotive, and recreational—due to trace amounts of lead necessary for durability and function. Industry experts report that no viable alternative materials currently exist.

Speakers will outline the severe consequences facing Minnesota residents, businesses, public safety entities, and state/local governments if the Legislature does not act swiftly to fix the law.

WHAT: Speakers will outline the severe consequences facing Minnesota residents, businesses, public safety entities, and state/local governments if the Legislature does not act swiftly to fix the law.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Minnesota State Capitol
Press Conference Room B971
75 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
St. Paul, MN

WHO:

  • Senate DFL Assistant Majority Leader Grant Hauschild, invited House GOP Assistant Floor Leader & Suburban Caucus Member Andrew Myers,
    invited House GOP Speaker Pro Tempore Bjorn Olson, invited
    Matt Lloyd, Kendall’s Ace Hardware
    Rob Justen, Doyle Security Products
    Nick Johnson, Assa Abloy
    Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association
    Mike Davin, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
    Amanda Duerr, Minnesota Auto Dealers Association

WHY: A legislative solution is needed immediately. Minnesota industry leaders urge the Minnesota Legislature to remove the prohibition on keys until a reasonable, workable alternative is identified.

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