This bill proposes removing the official state recognition of Cesar Chavez Day from Minnesota law. It directly affects the state's observance calendar by repealing the existing statute that designates March 31 as a day to honor Cesar Chavez and celebrate the Latino community. The legislation would eliminate the legal requirement to observe this day and remove the accompanying text that describes Chavez's contributions to labor rights and community organizing. If passed, the state would no longer officially recognize this date as a designated observance day.
This bill modifies how Minnesota distributes local affordable housing aid funds from the metropolitan sales tax. It changes the allocation so that 75 percent goes to county-level housing assistance accounts and 25 percent goes to state rent assistance, reducing the previous 50 percent county share. The legislation directly affects how money flows to cities and counties for housing programs by adjusting the statutory distribution percentages. It updates existing Minnesota statutes to reflect these new distribution rules while maintaining the overall funding structure for affordable housing initiatives.
This bill creates a tax subtraction for volunteer firefighter pension income in Minnesota, meaning eligible individuals would not pay state income tax on retirement benefits earned from volunteer firefighting service. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, paid on-call firefighters, and other designated volunteer fire service personnel who receive annuity income or lump-sum payments from public retirement plans based on their firefighting service. The legislation defines who qualifies as a volunteer firefighter by referencing existing state definitions and specifies that the tax benefit applies to pension income derived specifically from their volunteer service. The changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
This bill modifies Minnesota's family law guidelines for determining parenting time and custody by updating the factors courts must consider when evaluating a child's best interests. It requires judges to make detailed findings on each relevant factor, including the child's needs, parental involvement, domestic abuse history, and the benefits of maintaining relationships with both parents. The legislation establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint legal custody serves the child's best interests, while allowing exceptions when domestic abuse has occurred between parents. Additionally, the bill clarifies that disability alone cannot determine custody outcomes and prohibits courts from considering parental conduct that does not affect the parent-child relationship.
This bill modifies Minnesota law to update how arbitrators are selected for peace officer grievance cases. It requires the state commissioner to appoint six qualified arbitrators in consultation with community and law enforcement stakeholders. The selection process will consider candidates' experience with labor law and the grievance process, along with their familiarity with cultural competency, racism, implicit bias, and community diversity. The appointed arbitrators will serve immediately upon filing with the secretary of state and will only handle peace officer grievance arbitrations.
This bill requires high-risk medical assistance providers in Minnesota to complete compliance training and establish specific internal policies. It mandates that license applicants and holders implement drug and alcohol policies for staff, create grievance procedures for clients, and designate authorized agents for communications with state officials. The legislation also requires providers to disclose consultant use when preparing license applications and establishes new teams for licensing oversight and provider support. These changes aim to strengthen oversight of medical assistance programs while streamlining application processes through updated reporting requirements.
This bill requires providers, vendors, and individuals seeking public funding in Minnesota to submit proof of their operations and financial history for the past three years before receiving grants or renewing licenses. The law mandates that applicants provide documentation of their service history and, for businesses and nonprofits, evidence of good standing with the Secretary of State, along with explanations for any missing information. State officials must review these submissions before awarding funds or approving renewals, and they can deny requests if there is a substantial risk the applicant cannot fulfill their obligations. The measure aims to strengthen fraud prevention by ensuring transparency and verifying the financial stability of entities receiving public money.
This bill defines remediated cannabis products as those that have undergone a process to remove contaminants like mold, pesticides, or heavy metals during cultivation or processing. It requires licensed cannabis businesses in Minnesota to clearly label these products with a specific statement indicating they were made from remediated material to meet safety standards. The law also mandates that all advertising and marketing for these products include the same disclosure, with penalties including fines up to $5,000 per violation and potential license suspension for repeated offenses.
This bill requires sellers to remove all emergency vehicle equipment and insignia before selling or transferring public safety vehicles to the public. The law mandates that sellers and auction houses provide a certificate of compliance confirming the removal of lights, sirens, emblems, and other identifying features that could mislead people into thinking the vehicle is an official emergency vehicle. Public safety agencies must also issue this compliance certificate before completing any sale or transfer. Violators face civil penalties of up to $2,500 and may be held liable for damages caused by the vehicle's use in crimes. The bill exempts vehicles sold for collection or display purposes if they are registered as collector items and not used for general transportation.
This bill modifies Minnesota veterans benefits to include veterans of the Secret War in Laos, a group that includes both naturalized Hmong veterans and those who served with special guerrilla units or irregular forces in Laos between 1961 and 1975. It directs the commissioner of veterans affairs to establish an eligibility verification process and issue certificates of eligibility for these veterans to access existing state benefits. The legislation also requires the creation of a fee schedule for burial services and allows fee waivers for indigent eligible applicants. Changes take effect on July 2, 2025, for naturalized veterans and after verification for those who served in guerrilla units, with a driver's license designation option becoming available on November 1, 2026.
This bill authorizes the issuance of up to $9,160,000 in state bonds to fund improvements at South Central College's North Mankato campus. The funds will be used to design, construct, renovate, and equip classroom and laboratory spaces specifically for the dental assisting program, as well as to replace the campus boiler system. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees will oversee the project, while the commissioner of management and budget is responsible for selling and issuing the bonds. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final enactment.
This bill requires social services agencies in Minnesota to provide new or like-new luggage to children entering, moving between, or exiting foster care. The law specifically prohibits agencies from using disposable bags or cardboard boxes and prevents them from reclaiming the luggage once provided. Agencies may accept donations of suitable bags and must report annually on their compliance with these requirements. The changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
