Rep. Leigh Finke

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $12,963,000 in bonds to fund a new public safety facility for the city of St. Anthony Village. The funds will be used to design, build, and equip a building that houses the police and fire departments for St. Anthony Village, Falcon Heights, and Lauderdale, while also providing space for staff, training, and public meetings. The legislation directs the state commissioner of public safety to receive the grant money and oversee the project, with the bond sale managed by the commissioner of management and budget. Once enacted, the state will immediately begin the process of selling these bonds to raise the necessary capital for the construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Minnesota Business Recovery Loan Program to help businesses that have suffered financial losses due to increased immigration enforcement activities in the state. It appropriates $100 million in fiscal year 2026, with $18 million designated for zero-interest loans to businesses in greater Minnesota and $82 million for zero-interest loans to businesses in the seven-county metropolitan area through nonprofit lenders. To qualify, businesses must be located in Minnesota, owned by state residents, demonstrate a revenue loss of more than 30 percent between enactment and December 1, 2025, and show that losses resulted from staffing shortages, reduced customer access, or other immigration enforcement-related factors. The program provides loans ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 depending on business size and location, which must be used exclusively for business operations in Minnesota and cannot be used to repay prior debt or for real estate speculation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota municipalities to hold at least two public hearings before approving data center development projects. The law mandates that specific information about the project, including the applicant and end user names, facility size and location, security guard details, and utility requirements, be disclosed to the public at least 48 hours before each hearing. These disclosure rules apply regardless of any private agreements that might otherwise prevent the sharing of such information. The requirements would take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to counties, cities, and towns when considering rezoning petitions or special use permits for data centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota Department of Health to join the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. The commissioner must identify the necessary application process by September 1, 2026, and submit the application by December 1, 2026. This action aims to integrate the state's health response capabilities with a global system for monitoring and addressing disease outbreaks. The legislation does not alter existing funding or staffing but establishes a specific timeline for this international partnership.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal tool in Minnesota that allows the state Attorney General to sue firearm industry members for public nuisance if their conduct harms public safety. It directly affects companies involved in selling, manufacturing, distributing, or marketing firearms and related products like ammunition. To comply, these businesses must implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop thefts, and ensure adherence to existing laws. If a company violates these rules, the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop the behavior, force cleanup costs, demand financial restitution, and collect damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone who loses or has their firearm stolen to report it to local law enforcement within 48 hours of discovering the loss or theft. It establishes escalating criminal penalties for failing to report, ranging from a petty misdemeanor for a first offense to a gross misdemeanor for third or subsequent violations. The law also protects individuals from prosecution for firearm storage violations if they report the loss or theft as required. Police chiefs and sheriffs must forward these reports to the state commissioner of public safety within seven days, and the state will receive $36,000 to fund a reporting system for this purpose. The bill takes effect on August 1, 2026, and applies to incidents occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large meat retailers from owning stakes in livestock dealers or meat packing companies and from signing exclusive contracts that require those suppliers to sell only to them. It defines a "dominant retailer" as a company selling over $18 billion in meat annually with locations in at least 20 states, including Minnesota. The law requires these retailers to divest any existing ownership interests by January 1, 2028, with a possible 180-day extension if they show good faith efforts to comply. The attorney general will identify which retailers fall under this definition starting in 2027, and violators could face daily fines of $25,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a sales and use tax on advertising services in Minnesota, expanding the state's existing sales tax framework to include this category of service. The legislation directly affects businesses that provide advertising services, such as marketing agencies, media companies, and digital advertising platforms, requiring them to collect and remit tax on these services. Key provisions amend Minnesota Statutes 297A.61 to explicitly list advertising services as taxable, while maintaining existing exemptions for services performed by employees for employers and certain affiliated business arrangements. The bill clarifies that the tax applies to the furnishing of advertising services for consideration, without specifying particular rates or collection deadlines in the provided text. This change aligns advertising services with other taxable services like laundry, lawn care, and security services already included in the state's sales tax code.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Minnesota Parkinson's Research Trust Fund to support research on Parkinson's disease and provide assistance to caregivers. The fund will be established in the state treasury and can only be used for approved research projects, caregiver support, and related activities. The state health commissioner will manage the fund by awarding grants to institutions and researchers in Minnesota, overseeing compliance, and developing a research plan to coordinate efforts. The bill also requires the commissioner to submit a report on the fund's activities and ensures that grant money is used specifically for Parkinson's disease research and related initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals previous sales tax exemptions for preferred seating and amenities at athletic facilities, meaning these items will now be subject to sales tax when purchased with event tickets. It also provides funding for safe harbor shelter and housing grants to support homeless assistance programs. The legislation defines various retail sales for tax purposes, including bundled transactions and promotional items, while appropriating money for the housing grants.