Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

Maddy summaryHF 383 appropriates $5.7 million from state bond proceeds to fund planning, design, engineering, environmental work, and construction of a new water distribution facility in Minneapolis, located in Hennepin or Anoka County. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $5.7 million to cover these costs, with funds administered through the Public Facilities Authority to the city of Minneapolis. This directly affects Minneapolis by providing capital for critical water infrastructure upgrades. The legislation enables the city to advance a specific water system project without immediate state budget expenditure.

Maddy summaryHF 1315 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to fund a community center project for Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together in Ramsey County. The grant will cover acquiring property, building, and equipping the center to host educational and leadership programs focused on strengthening cultural identity and improving opportunities for Hmong women and girls. This one-time funding is specifically earmarked for constructing a facility dedicated to these programs. The bill does not create new policies but provides targeted financial support for an existing community organization's physical space needs.

Maddy summaryHF 1180 appropriates $17 million from state bond proceeds to fund repair, renovation, and construction of Minneapolis' Nicollet Avenue Bridge over Minnehaha Creek. The funds are provided to the city of Minneapolis through the commissioner of transportation, but only after nonstate funding commitments are secured. The state will issue up to $17 million in bonds under Minnesota's bonding laws to cover this appropriation. This bill directly affects Minneapolis infrastructure maintenance and the city's ability to complete the bridge project.

Maddy summaryHF 1210 allocates $2 million from Minnesota's general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide a one-time grant to TaikoArts Midwest, a nonprofit organization. The funds will enable TaikoArts Midwest to acquire, renovate, equip, and furnish a property at 449 Front Avenue in St. Paul, creating a permanent home for the organization and a multipurpose community event space. This appropriation is specifically for facility development and must be used to complete the project within the designated timeframe. The bill directly affects TaikoArts Midwest and the St. Paul community by supporting the organization's physical infrastructure and expanding public access to community programming.

Maddy summaryHF 265, also known as "Brent's Law," requires Minnesota 911 call centers to identify mental health crisis calls and prioritize mental health crisis teams as primary responders when available. It mandates that 911 telecommunicators receive specific training or mental health staff screen calls to recognize crises, and establishes protocols for public safety answering points to comply. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals or families harmed by violations, allowing claims for damages, attorney fees, and up to $15,000 in punitive damages for willful violations. This directly affects all Minnesota public safety answering points and the government entities operating them.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies a Minnesota law that generally prohibits municipalities from using "amortization" (gradually phasing out existing property uses) to eliminate lawful property uses that were established before new zoning rules took effect. It creates two specific exceptions: (1) to allow amortization for adults-only businesses like bookstores or theaters, and (2) to permit it for certain nonconforming industrial uses in environmental justice areas within first-class cities. The change affects local governments' ability to enforce zoning ordinances and property owners operating under these specific exceptions. It does not create new general authorization for amortization but narrows the existing prohibition.

Maddy summaryHF 262 prohibits employers from paying people with disabilities less than the state minimum wage, effective August 1, 2025 for new hires and August 1, 2027 for all current employees, ending the use of federal or state special certificates that allow subminimum wages. It requires providers of home and community-based services to report data on individuals currently paid subminimum wages by August 1, 2027, including personal details and employment metrics. The bill appropriates $38,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 to enhance the MnCHOICES system with employment-related resources. These changes directly affect employers, service providers, and people with disabilities working in supported employment programs across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 37 proposes adding a new constitutional guarantee to Minnesota's state constitution, stating that "Elections shall be free, fair, and equal. No civil or military power shall, at any time, interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting all Minnesotans participating in elections by establishing this fundamental principle. The bill specifies the exact wording for the constitutional amendment and the ballot question voters would see. It does not create new election procedures but enshrines this standard into the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes new standards to protect African American children and those from other disproportionately represented groups within Minnesota's child welfare system. It requires social services agencies to make continuous, rigorous efforts to keep families together and prevent unnecessary removal of children from their homes. The act defines a higher level of care called "active efforts," which mandates that agencies involve families in planning services and respect their cultural values. Additionally, the legislation sets specific criteria for what constitutes a permanent adoptive placement and ensures that these protections apply alongside existing laws for Native American children.

Maddy summaryHF 5237 is a supplemental budget bill that provides additional funding to the state's education system and related human services programs. The legislation directly affects public schools, charter schools, early childhood education providers, and families receiving child welfare or economic support services. Key provisions include allocating money for school operations, teacher salaries, special education, and facilities, while also adjusting funding forecasts for various state agencies. The bill amends existing laws to ensure these resources are distributed and managed according to updated needs, particularly regarding instructional hours and student support services.