Minnesota lawmakers look to change 2023 law that restricts keys containing lead

A new set of those keys in your pocket might be harder to come by in Minnesota if lawmakers don’t unlock a deal before they bolt for the session. 

Minnesota lawmakers have yet to lock in a session-ending deal. But as they try, one proposal getting new attention could dictate how Minnesotans can legally purchase keys. A 2023 law requires all keys manufactured and sold in Minnesota after July 1, 2025 to have no more than .009 percent lead.

“We shouldn't lock out common sense,” said Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown. “That is simply what we are doing here today. So I'm so proud that we have bipartisan support for this effort.”

Lawmakers were flanked by various stakeholders at a Tuesday press conference. Minnesota Retailers Association President Bruce Nustad was among them. 

“The law that regulates the amount of lead in keys is in effect today and was passed in 2023,” Nustad said. “It took effect Jan. 1, 2024. So today the keys in your pocket are actually noncompliant.”

Kirk Koudelka, assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said the agency's role in enforcing the new law is to reduce lead in keys. Too much lead can harm children's brain health, Koudelka said.

He said there are three alternative alloys currently in use that would satisfy Minnesota law. 

Koudelka said the agency could live with a law change to allow other keymakers to complete the transition within three years.

“What we do not support is forever, to exempt this and continue to have high lead in keys,” Koudelka said. “We're interested in a reasonable amount of time for a transition.”

Koudelka said it’s possible for companies to find key alternatives. The MPCA has been lenient in enforcement, but the law is set to take full effect on July 1 unless action is taken. 

Backers of relaxing the law said Minnesota alone can't change the lead makeup of keys.

“We are the only government in the entire universe that has this outlaw, the only one in the universe,” said Rep. Bjorn Olson, R-Fairmont. “So if there was a store on the moon, you could buy keys at that store.”