Maddy summaryHF 53 amends Minnesota's education finance law to adjust how school districts and charter schools calculate transportation funding. It increases a district's "transportation sparsity revenue" by 35% of the difference between its actual transportation costs (adjusted for previous years) and a calculated amount based on basic revenue and existing transportation aid. This change directly affects public school districts and charter schools by altering their formula for receiving state transportation funding. The adjustment applies to fiscal year 2026 and later, modifying existing funding calculations without creating new programs. The bill focuses on refining the method for distributing transportation funds, not on new policy outcomes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill cancels $194 million in unused funds for the Northern Lights Express rail project and reallocates the money to support transportation priorities. It requires a study analyzing current bus service demand, costs, and potential improvements between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth, including ridership estimates and feasibility recommendations. The study must be completed by February 2026 and submitted to legislative committees. The remaining funds after the study appropriation are transferred to the highway user tax distribution fund. The bill directly affects Minnesotans in the Minneapolis-Duluth corridor who rely on intercity transit options.
Maddy summaryHF 231 appropriates $1.3 million from the general fund for one-time improvements to wastewater infrastructure at the Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake in Washington County. The funds are directed to the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp Association to design, construct, and install this infrastructure. The bill specifically targets infrastructure upgrades at the campground, with the funds available until project completion or abandonment.
Maddy summaryHF 209 appropriates $3 million from state bond proceeds to fund specific capital improvements for the Brown's Creek State Trail in Washington County. The bill directs funds for constructing a trail connection from County State-Aid Highway 5 to the trail and for building an overlook at the historic Point Douglas-Saint Louis River Road Bridge. It authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $3 million to cover these costs, following established bond procedures under Minnesota law. The project directly affects Washington County infrastructure and provides public access to recreational trail and bridge viewing areas.
Maddy summaryHF 156 provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in building a regional exhibition center at Graham Park in Olmsted County. It exempts materials purchased between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027, from Minnesota's sales tax, with the tax collected upfront and then refunded. The exemption applies to materials used in construction, reconstruction, or renovation of the center, and funds for refunds come from the state general fund. This directly affects Olmsted County's project costs by reducing upfront expenses for the exhibition center development.
Maddy summaryHF 232 appropriates $4 million from state bond funds to finance road improvements in Forest Lake, specifically for realigning Forest Road North and upgrading its intersection with 11th Avenue. The city of Forest Lake will receive this grant for land acquisition and construction work, directly affecting local infrastructure and traffic flow. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $4 million in bonds under Minnesota's bonding statutes to cover these costs. This is a concrete funding mechanism for physical infrastructure, not a policy change in law or regulation.
Maddy summaryHF 233 appropriates $1,000,000 from state bond proceeds to fund the extension of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail within Hugo, Minnesota. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1,000,000 in bonds to cover this cost, with funds directed to Washington County through the Metropolitan Council for trail acquisition, design, and construction. This funding specifically supports a new segment of the regional trail system in Hugo, benefiting local residents and trail users. The bill does not alter existing laws but provides dedicated funding through bond issuance.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 139) increases annual cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in Minnesota's Public Employees Police and Fire Retirement Plan and State Patrol Retirement Plan. It raises the standard adjustment from 1% to up to 1.5% annually (based on federal Social Security COLA), and shortens the required waiting period from 36 months to 12 months for full benefits. Retirees receiving benefits for less than 12 months will now get a pro-rated increase based on months served. The changes take effect for adjustments starting January 1, 2026, and apply automatically unless retirees opt out in writing.
Maddy summaryHF 183 repeals a tax on retail delivery services and changes how transportation tax revenue is distributed. It creates a "Transportation Advancement Account" to allocate funds from sales taxes, directing 36% to metropolitan counties, 28% to county highway funds, and smaller shares to city and town road programs. The bill modifies several tax statutes (including sections 297A.94 and 270C.15) to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects how Minnesota distributes transportation funding from sales tax revenues.