Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for transit planning and performance evaluation in seven Minnesota counties, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. It defines high-frequency transit service with specific scheduling standards and mandates that regional transportation plans include public input, detailed highway improvement timelines, and airport development assessments. The legislation also requires regular performance evaluations of the transit system using peer-reviewed benchmarks and limits certain highway projects to prioritize transit-oriented development. Additionally, the bill authorizes reallocation of funds to support these updated planning and performance standards.

Maddy summaryHF 63 modifies Minnesota school board membership by requiring public school districts to select two student members starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Student members must be enrolled in grades 9-12, reside in the district, and be chosen through a process allowing all eligible students to vote. These student members gain voting rights on all board matters, serve two-year terms, and may serve no more than two terms. The bill directly affects all Minnesota public school districts and their student populations, aiming to increase student voice in school governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.5 million from Minnesota's general fund to support the Somali Museum of Minnesota in building a new facility. The money will be used to design, construct, furnish, and equip the new building in Minneapolis to preserve Somali cultural heritage and display artifacts. This is a one-time appropriation available until the project is completed or abandoned, and the funds are managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development. The legislation directly affects the Somali Museum of Minnesota by providing financial resources for its expansion and preservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new advisory board to study the impacts of commercial autonomous vehicle operations in Minnesota and sets minimum requirements for their use. It defines autonomous vehicles as those meeting specific automation levels and requires all commercial operations to obtain a permit before beginning, with no operations allowed until a study is completed. The advisory board will include representatives from labor, government agencies, consumer groups, and the autonomous vehicle industry to evaluate permit applications and recommend policies. Additionally, the bill mandates an independent study to assess economic impacts on rideshare drivers, commercial drivers, and related businesses, including workforce displacement and reemployment pathways.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for airlines and ground service providers transporting detained individuals in Minnesota. It mandates that a standardized passenger form be created to collect medical, legal, and contact information for each person being held in restraint or traveling involuntarily on an aircraft. The form must be available in multiple languages, and its completion is voluntary for the detained individual, with crew members required to keep it on board and share it with emergency responders if needed. Additionally, the bill prohibits refueling aircraft carrying restrained individuals unless they are removed to a climate-controlled area with access to water and restrooms. Ground service operators must maintain documentation of each transport and submit monthly reports to the state commissioner.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new vehicle weight surcharge and modifies how passenger automobile registration taxes are calculated in Minnesota. It directly affects vehicle owners by requiring additional fees based on vehicle weight and adjusting tax rates based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price. The key provisions include a tiered weight surcharge schedule that charges more for heavier vehicles, a registration tax calculation that uses a percentage of the vehicle's price that decreases over the vehicle's life, and requirements for dealers and registrars to disclose specific pricing information. The bill also appropriates funds and requires a report, with changes taking effect for registration periods starting on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 2322 creates the Minnesota Young Readers Club program to provide monthly book deliveries to prekindergarten through grade 5 students reading below grade level. The program delivers culturally relevant, age-appropriate books directly to students' homes or schools at least once monthly, along with family support materials in home languages. It requires schools to identify eligible students through universal screening, state assessments, or teacher recommendations, and partners with an external organization for book selection and distribution. The bill appropriates state funds for implementation, book contracts, and reporting to the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Minnesota Historical Society for a grant to the Coalition of Asian American Leaders. The funding will support documenting the history of Asian migration to Minnesota and the experiences of Asian Americans in the state through research, translation, community outreach, and educational materials. The Coalition may use the funds to provide additional grants to project partners working with specific Asian Minnesotan communities to preserve and share their stories. This legislation directly affects the Minnesota Historical Society, the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, and Asian Minnesotan communities whose histories will be documented.

Maddy summaryHF 3810 requires a licensed driver to be physically present in the driver's seat of any commercial motor vehicle using an automated driving system (levels 4-5 automation) while operating on public roads. The bill mandates the person must monitor the vehicle, intervene if unsafe, and be ready to take control. Violations impose penalties: a $2,000 misdemeanor fine for first offenses, escalating to gross misdemeanors with doubled fines for repeat violations by the same owner or lessor. This directly affects commercial trucking and bus operators seeking to deploy fully autonomous systems. The law aims to ensure human oversight during automated operation of commercial vehicles.

Maddy summaryHF 3279 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Minnesota's sales tax rate by 0.375% (three-eighths of one percent) starting July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2052. The revenue would fund three dedicated housing programs: 25% to a homeownership opportunity fund for owner-occupied housing, 25% to a community and household stability fund for homelessness prevention services, and 50% to a rental opportunity fund for rental assistance and housing development. All Minnesotans purchasing taxable goods would pay the slightly higher tax, with funds specifically targeting housing stability for vulnerable households. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election before taking effect.