Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega

Maddy summaryHF 309 amends Minnesota Statutes §84.523 to tighten mining restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) and Rainy River headwaters. The bill requires the commissioner of natural resources to determine that proposed mining (for taconite, sand, gravel, or granite) in the Rainy River headwaters would not harm the BWCA before any permits are issued. This modifies existing law by adding this specific assessment step, directly affecting mining operations seeking approval in these areas. The change maintains the general prohibition on mining without legislative approval but adds a new administrative requirement for the commissioner to evaluate environmental impacts. The bill focuses on protecting the BWCA's wilderness character through stricter permitting conditions.

Maddy summaryHF 1420 allocates $20 million from state bond proceeds to fund a public realm project over Shepard Road in St. Paul, including adjacent rail lines and related infrastructure. The funds will be granted to Ramsey County for predesign, design, construction, and equipment of this public space. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $20 million in bonds to cover this appropriation, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This project directly affects Ramsey County and residents of St. Paul by creating new public infrastructure along Shepard Road.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide funding for student and staff safety improvements at schools. The Department of Public Safety's School Safety Center will distribute these grants to qualifying public, charter, and nonpublic schools. Each eligible school may receive up to $500,000 for authorized safety projects, provided they demonstrate additional funding sources. The legislation requires that at least half of the grants be awarded to schools located outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Funding is allocated from the state general fund for fiscal year 2027 and remains available until June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.5 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the City of Minneapolis to create a public memorial honoring Renée Good and Alex Pretti. The memorial will feature statues, educational exhibits, and a space for community reflection, focusing on their deaths and the broader issues of civil rights and immigration enforcement. The project requires a collaborative planning process involving local residents, civil rights groups, artists, and historians, with oversight provided by a partnership including city officials and state legislators. While the state provides the initial funding, the city is permitted to seek additional private donations and partnerships to cover design, programming, and long-term maintenance costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $75 million in bonds to fund the renovation of the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. The funds will be used by the city to upgrade the facility's infrastructure, including its heating and cooling systems, electrical and plumbing networks, and security features. Additionally, the project will expand and reconfigure interior and exterior event spaces while improving accessibility and storage areas for equipment. The legislation also includes upgrades to visitor amenities such as restrooms, seating, and sound systems to support ongoing operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund in fiscal year 2027 to support youth art and culture programs in the Capitol area. The money will be given to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, which is responsible for managing these specific initiatives. The legislation directly affects young people in the capital city by providing funding for their creative projects and cultural activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework in Minnesota to create an interstate agreement called the Interstate Fiscal Sovereignty Compact, which would allow member states to hold federal taxes in a state-controlled escrow fund rather than sending them directly to the federal government. The legislation defines key terms such as "member state" and "triggering event," and sets up a process where employers would deposit withheld federal income, Social Security, and unemployment taxes into this new state treasury fund once the compact is officially activated. Currently, no action is required from employers or the state until a governing body issues an order to start the escrow operations, meaning the bill does not immediately change how taxes are collected or paid. By creating a separate escrow fund, the bill aims to give states more control over federal tax revenue, though it requires other states to pass similar laws and join the agreement for the system to function.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota school districts and charter schools to adopt evidence-based safety plans that are developed with input from students, parents, teachers, and law enforcement. It establishes a new anonymous threat reporting system and creates a School Safety Center at the Department of Public Safety to provide model plans and consulting services to schools. The legislation also modifies rules regarding when firearms are allowed on school property and provides additional funding for student support personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies a previous appropriation to provide a $2.15 million grant to the city of St. Paul for renovating The Wellstone Center at Neighborhood House. The funds are intended to reimburse the city for costs incurred between June 2, 2023, and the date a formal grant agreement is signed. The legislation amends existing state law to update the project name and clarify the timeline for using the money.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $80 million in state funding to help the city of St. Paul upgrade West 7th Street from downtown to the Mississippi River. The money will be used for designing and building new roads, sidewalks, and underground water systems, while also adding traffic calming measures and a bus rapid transit line to connect downtown, the airport, and the Mall of America. The funds are a one-time appropriation available until the project is finished or canceled, and the law takes effect immediately upon final passage.