Rep. Zack Stephenson

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies funding for the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Health while updating rules and fees related to cannabis operations in Minnesota. It establishes a new Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act to regulate how businesses collect and use personal information, alongside provisions that require specific reports on cannabis activities. The legislation also adjusts various state statutes to align with current cannabis regulations and authorizes rulemaking to ensure ongoing compliance with consumer protection standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides supplemental funding for various state agencies, including those responsible for agriculture, commerce, energy, utilities, and environmental protection. It adjusts budget allocations for the Department of Agriculture and establishes new programs and rules related to broadband access, renewable energy development, and energy infrastructure permitting. The legislation also includes technical updates to existing laws and appropriates specific sums for these initiatives to ensure they have the necessary financial resources to operate.

Maddy summaryThis omnibus bill amends Minnesota laws to update regulations across insurance, finance, telecommunications, and consumer protection sectors. It directly affects insurance companies, financial institutions, and consumers by introducing new requirements such as mandatory disclosures for mental health limitations in disability policies and annual notices for life insurance policyholders. The legislation also modifies rules regarding surplus lines insurance, liquor licenses, and various administrative reporting requirements while establishing penalties for non-compliance. By making these technical changes and additions to existing statutes, the bill aims to clarify state regulations and ensure consistent enforcement across multiple industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution from the Minnesota Legislature that formally asks Congress to overturn the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. It requests that Congress propose a constitutional amendment to clarify that only natural persons, not corporations or other artificial entities, possess rights under the Constitution. The proposed amendment would also state that spending money to influence elections is not protected speech and would allow governments to regulate or limit campaign contributions to ensure equal political access. Additionally, the bill mandates that all permissible campaign spending must be publicly disclosed. Ultimately, the resolution directs state officials to send copies of the text to federal leaders and Minnesota's congressional representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local jurisdictions in Minnesota to choose ranked choice voting for their local elections, where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. It establishes specific rules for how these elections would be conducted, including procedures for counting votes and handling ballots where a candidate is eliminated based on the rankings. The legislation also permits local areas to use electronic voting machines that can automatically reallocate votes to remaining candidates after an initial winner is determined. However, the bill did not pass during the 2024 legislative session and therefore will not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee equal rights and prohibit discrimination for all people. It specifically protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex, with the definition of sex explicitly including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If voters approve the amendment at the 2026 general election, the change will become effective on January 1, 2027. The text also establishes that any state action denying these rights must be the least restrictive way to achieve a very important government goal.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's individual income tax rules by allowing taxpayers to subtract Social Security benefits and public pension income from their taxable income. It establishes specific dollar limits and phase-out thresholds based on a taxpayer's filing status and provisional income, ensuring that higher earners gradually lose access to these subtractions. The changes apply to retirees receiving benefits from state pension plans and aim to align state tax treatment more closely with federal standards for public pensions. These provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee equality under the law. The amendment would prohibit the state, its cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from denying or abridging rights based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin. If approved by voters at the 2024 general election, the change would take effect on January 1, 2025. The measure is titled the "Equal Rights Amendment" and requires a simple yes or no vote from the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill legalizes and regulates sports betting and fantasy contests in Minnesota by establishing a licensing system for operators and setting specific tax rates on these activities. It prohibits local governments from banning or restricting sports betting within their jurisdictions and defines key terms to clarify what types of events, such as esports and college sports, are eligible for wagering. The legislation also introduces civil and criminal penalties for violations, creates a framework for charitable gambling, and includes provisions for amateur sports grants and pari-mutuel horse racing.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution that asks the U.S. Congress to approve Minnesota's request to replace its current statue of Henry Mower Rice in the National Statuary Hall with a new statue of former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. Under existing federal law, states may swap out statues that have been on display for at least ten years, and Minnesota has selected Humphrey to honor his significant legislative achievements and service as a U.S. Senator and Vice President. The resolution directs state officials to arrange for the removal of the Rice statue, the installation of a replica of the existing Humphrey statue from the Minnesota State Capitol, and the transfer of the old Rice statue back to the state.