MERCURY-CONTAINING FLUORESCENT LAMPS CAN NO LONGER BE SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2026, IN MINNESOTA 

Minnesota passed the MN Clean Lighting Bill in 2025 to phase out mercury-containing fluorescent lamps and accelerate the transition to safer, energy-efficient LED lighting. Beginning January 1, 2026, the sale and distribution of pin-based CFLs and linear fluorescent tubes will no longer be allowed in Minnesota. 

WHY IT WAS PASSED

• Mercury reduction – Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, posing health and environmental risks when broken or discarded.

• Energy efficiency – LEDs use significantly less electricity and require less frequent replacement.

• Policy alignment – Minnesota is joining other states shifting away from fluorescent technology to reduce waste and energy costs.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FACILITIES

What This Means for Facilities

After January 1st, 2026, facilities that rely on fluorescents will face immediate challenges:

• No new lamp purchases – Vendors will not be allowed to sell you linear fluorescent bulbs after this date. PCA Minnesota

• Maintenance complications – Outages may lead to emergency fixes, mismatched products, or unlit areas.

• Mixed lighting technologies – Partial upgrades can create an inconsistent look, uneven light levels, and a poor visual environment.

• Ballast and compatibility issues – Some LEDs are “plug-and-play” (work with existing fluorescent ballasts), others require ballast bypass or full fixture replacement. Incorrect retrofits can flicker, reduced dimming capability, or premature failures - a headache for maintenance staff.

• Increased labor and costs – Reactive maintenance often leads to overtime, unplanned spending, and rushed purchasing.

• Procurement & budgeting impacts - Organizations that delay planning will be forced into reactive purchases (often premium or emergency buys) or rushed retrofit projects that are more expensive and disruptive. Budgets and capital plans should account for retrofit costs and possible staged upgrades.

RECOMMENDED PATHS FORWARD

OPTION 1 - FULL TURNKEY LED RETROFIT (PREFERRED)

Upgrade all remaining fluorescent fixtures to LED through a comprehensive retrofit project.

• Use Retrofit Electric’s turnkey project approach to streamline design, procurement, installation, recycling, and utility rebate fulfillment.

• Eliminates mixed lighting, avoids emergency replacements, reduces maintenance and energy costs, and simplifies long-term maintenance.

OPTION 2 - LIGHTING MAINTENANCE & TRANSITION PLAN

• If a full retrofit isn’t immediately feasible:

  Inventory all fluorescent lamp types and remaining spare stock.

• Standardize approved LED replacements and retrofit methods

• Schedule phased upgrades over 12–24 months, prioritizing critical spaces.

• Train maintenance staff and update disposal/cleanup procedures.

  • Remember, only licensed electricians are allowed to remove, replace, or bypass light fixture ballasts in Minnesota (Minnesota Statutes 326B.33 Licenses Subd. 12).

  • If you do not have an electrician on staff, consider partnering with an electrical contractor, like Retrofit Electric, to coordinate this work.

Coordinate with recycling vendors, like Retrofit Environmental, for proper disposal of old fluorescent lamps, ballasts, batteries and light fixtures. 

IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS

• Inventory current fluorescent lighting and review remaining stock.

• Prioritize critical spaces where outages or inconsistency will be most disruptive.

• Engage with an electrical partner, like Retrofit Electric, to establish a retrofit project or maintenance plan.