2026 Legislative Retreat
The MOHR Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is excited to invite you to the 2026 MOHR Legislative Retreat at a NEW location: Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort in Deerwood, August 25–26, 2026. This event has traditionally been held at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, so we hope you’ll join us to check out the new venue while connecting with colleagues.
What to expect:
- Monday night welcome + networking (Aug 24)
- A full retreat day on Tuesday (Aug 25) and a wrap-up by midday Wednesday (Aug 26)
- Plenty of time to reflect on the recent legislative session, hear insights from guest speakers, identify member priorities for next year’s legislative plan, and engage with each other
- Presentations will include an employment law update from attorney Janet Dorr, updates from MOHR lobbyist Kevin Goodno and Anni Simons, Meghan Hanson from DEED, ANCOR, and more yet to be confirmed....
- A hot breakfast will be provided on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and a taco buffet will be served for lunch on Tuesday. Dinner is on your own Tuesday night with options both on and off resort to explore.
- Pontoon rides will be available after Tuesday’s retreat plus there are numerous activities available at the resort (some are free, others at your own expense) including lawn games, kayaking, golf, fishing, tubing, onsite shopping and spa, pickleball, tennis, basketball, mountain biking, exploring the surrounding area, and more!
Monday night welcome + networking (Aug 24):
This is a “new” addition to the Retreat, replacing the typical evening hospitality cabin on day one. If you’re able to arrive Monday, we’re planning a relaxed happy hour and networking time at Ruttger’s Bear Pine Bar at 6:00pm. This will include two drink tickets, appetizers, and outdoor fun (weather permitting).
Lodging Details – Book your room!:
Discounted room rates are available Monday and Tuesday (Monday check-in is at 5:00 pm; check-out Wednesday by 11:00 am). Use this link to book online at a discounted rate: Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort in MN | Brainerd MN Lodging. Please note that there are a variety of room options and lodging styles available. Some lodging options require the use of stairs or are a bit further from the conference center. The resort map shows the general locations.
If you are looking to extend your stay, need specific accommodations, need space for a larger group, or need more details, please call the Ruttger’s event coordinator, Karen Rettke at 218-678-4626.
Make it a long weekend:
Consider staying an extra night to enjoy the resort and surrounding area: 25 Best & Fun Things to Do in Deerwood
Next Steps:
Hopefully you are now ready to say YES to attending. Registration is now open to all MOHR members via this link: Legislative Retreat
The retreat registration cost to attend is $250 per attendee. Lodging is an additional step and cost, so don’t forget to make reservations via the Ruttger’s link.
Please share any meeting accommodation requests with Heidi Smith at hsmith@stepinc.org. Providing this information in advance will help us ensure an accessible and comfortable experience for all attendees.
We hope to see you at this year’s MOHR Legislative Retreat at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort!
MOHR 2026 Legislative Conference Agenda
Supplied session materials can be found in the member portal
MOHR Pre-conference Extended Employment (EE) Providers Gathering, Monday August 24th
MOHR Extended Employment providers will have an opportunity for a casual gathering of brainstorming and discussion on Monday evening at Ruttger’s New Log Room (near the Bear Pine Bar) from 5-6 pm.
Pre-conference Evening Welcome and Networking, Monday August 24th
This is a “new” addition to the conference, replacing the typical evening hospitality gathering on day one. If attendees are able to arrive Monday, MOHR is hosting a relaxed happy hour and networking time at Ruttger’s Bear Pine Bar at 6:00pm. This will include two drink tickets, appetizers, and outdoor fun (weather permitting).
Conference Day One: Tuesday August 25th
7:00 – 8:50 am: Continental Breakfast
8:50 - 9:00 am: Legislative Conference Welcome Julie Zbaracki (Partnership Resources), Julie Johnson (MSS), Elizabeth Schear (Advance), MOHR Members
9:00 - 10:00 am: Current Federal Legislative Updates of Interest to MOHR Members Donna Martin, ANCOR
10:00 – 10:45 am: Updates from the MN Dept of Employment and Economic Development on Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Extended Employment Meghan Hanson, Lori Thorpe and Chris McVey, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development
10:45 – 11:45 am: Current Olmstead Implementation Office Work and Initiatives Jenn Purrington, Olmstead Implementation Office
11:45 – 12:45 pm: Overview of State and Federal Trends and Issues Impacting Disability Services David Dively, Minnesota Council on Disability
12:45 - 1:45 pm: Lunch
1:45 – 2:30 pm: Recap of 2026 Legislative Session Outcomes/Preview of Dynamics Shaping 2027 Session Kevin Goodno, Fredrikson & Byron
2:30 - 2:45 pm: Update on Long Term Services and Supports Advisory Council Work and ARRM’s 2027 Legislative Agenda Lori Schluttenhofer (Opportunity Partners), MOHR Member
2:45- 3:45 pm: Updates from the MN Department of Human Services Charles Young, MN Department of Human Services
3:45 – 4:45 pm: Small Group Work to Generate Ideas for MOHR GAC Areas of Focus Survey
Any time before 6 pm on the first day of the conference, MOHR members are encouraged to email ideas for the MOHR GAC areas of focus survey to Julie Johnson and Anni Simons (jjohnson@mssmn.org and asimons@fredlaw.com). Submitted ideas will be added to the MOHR legislative areas of focus survey, which will be emailed out to MOHR members and conference attendees the morning of the second day of the conference.
Conference attendees will need to make their own plans for dinner Tuesday evening, with options both on and off resort to explore. Pontoon rides will be available after Tuesday’s retreat plus there are numerous activities available at the resort (some are free, others at your own expense) including lawn games, kayaking, golf, fishing, tubing, onsite shopping and spa, pickleball, tennis, basketball, mountain biking, exploring the surrounding area, and more.
Conference Day Two: Wednesday August 26th
7:00 - 8:30 am: Continental Breakfast
8:10 - 8:30 am: MOHR Extended Employment Committee Meeting to Elect Committee Leaders
8:30 - 9:15 am: Interactive Session - Helping to Guide MOHR’s Government Affairs Committee Agenda
Setting Work (Survey Completion and Results Discussion) Julie Johnson (MSS), Julie Zbaracki (Partnership Resources), MOHR Members
9:15-9:30 am: Update on Waiver Reimagine Julie Johnson (MSS), MOHR Member
9:30 - 10:00 am: Status Updates from MOHR’s Transportation Subcommittee Tim Schmutzer (PHASE-Industries) and Mike Greenbaum (Merrick), MOHR Members
10:00- 10:15 am: Break
10:15 - 11:15 am: MN Employment Law Updates and How to Navigate Tricky Leave and Accommodation
Issues Janet Dorr, Fredrikson & Byron
11:30 am: Close of Conference
