Sen. Nathan Wesenberg

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's Human Rights Act to update the legal definition of "sexual orientation." It specifies that sexual orientation includes attraction to people based on sex or gender identity (such as men, women, both, neither, or genderqueer individuals), while explicitly stating it does not cover adult attraction to children. The change directly affects individuals protected under the Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The amendment aims to clarify and broaden the definition to align with current understandings of gender identity.

Maddy summarySF 3645 allows employees covered by Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program to formally opt out of participating. Employees would submit a form to the commissioner (available online and in print) to choose not to participate in either the family or medical benefit program, or both. The bill creates a simple administrative process for opting out but does not change the core benefits or eligibility requirements of the existing paid leave program. It is a procedural change requiring the state to provide an opt-out mechanism.

Maddy summarySF 657 allows minnow dealers, retailers, and private hatchery license holders in Minnesota to import live minnows from other states without a permit during emergencies when local supply is insufficient for at least one day. It requires these businesses to notify the state commissioner within 48 hours of importation and permits inspections to verify the minnows' quantity, source, species, and health. The bill exempts these emergency imports from standard permit requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 97C.341. This directly affects businesses that rely on minnows for fishing bait, ensuring they can maintain supply during shortages.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the market value exclusion from $150,000 to $250,000 for veterans with a 70%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $500,000 for those with a 100% permanent disability. The exclusion applies to the veteran's homestead property (primary residence), and surviving spouses who qualify may also retain the benefit. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge and a VA-certified disability rating, and must apply to their county assessor by December 31 each year. This change directly affects eligible veterans, their primary family caregivers, and surviving spouses who meet the criteria.

Maddy summarySF 2030 requires farm equipment manufacturers (original equipment manufacturers or OEMs) to provide independent repair shops with necessary tools, parts, and documentation on fair and reasonable terms. It directly affects farmers who rely on independent repairs, independent repair shops, and farm equipment manufacturers. The bill mandates that OEMs offer these resources without imposing unreasonable conditions, such as forcing shops to become authorized dealers or requiring part registration. This ensures independent repair providers can access the same diagnostic tools, software, and parts as manufacturer-affiliated shops for farm equipment.

Maddy summarySF 3492 repeals Minnesota's 2017 law that required driver's licenses to meet federal REAL ID standards. The repeal, effective July 1, 2026, would end the state's requirement to issue REAL ID-compliant licenses and to provide specific information about REAL ID to applicants. The bill also directs the state to prepare new legislation by February 2026 to update relevant statutes. This change would remove Minnesota's state-level implementation of REAL ID standards, though the federal requirement for REAL ID-compliant licenses to board domestic flights would remain in effect.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill 3482 (SF 3482) prohibits the sale of foods containing artificial food dyes FD&C Yellow No. 5 or 6 to public, private, and charter schools in Minnesota. It directly affects food vendors, distributors, and schools by banning the sale of these specific dyes in school-provided foods, though home schools are excluded. The law, effective January 1, 2027, amends Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F to create this restriction. It focuses on preventing these dyes from being served in school meals or snacks, without specifying health outcomes or enforcement details.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the requirement for a license to sell scrap metal copper (previously under Minnesota Statutes §325E.21, subd. 2c) and modifies record-keeping rules for scrap metal dealers. It requires dealers to document transactions involving copper metal, including verifying sellers have a copper license (though the license itself is being eliminated). The bill directly affects scrap metal dealers who purchase copper scrap, mandating detailed transaction records like seller ID, vehicle details, and proof of copper license status. Key provisions include adding new record requirements (e.g., photocopy of license for copper sales) and updating inspection protocols for law enforcement. The bill does not create new licensing but adjusts administrative processes for copper scrap transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 3456 (mRNA Bioweapons Prohibition Act), prohibits the possession, distribution, or manufacture of "mRNA injections and products" in Minnesota, classifying them as weapons of mass destruction under existing law. It defines these products broadly to include mRNA-based vaccines (like those for COVID-19), gene therapies for infectious diseases, and nanotechnology altering genes. The law creates criminal penalties for violations and requires state/local officials to enforce it, with failure to act subject to criminal charges. It would apply to anyone possessing such products in Minnesota starting August 1, 2025, and allows residents to sue officials for non-enforcement.

Maddy summarySF 3424 prohibits adding fluoride to public drinking water systems in Minnesota. It requires all public water systems (serving at least 15 households or 25 people for 60 days annually) to stop adding fluoride by August 1, 2025. The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.145, which previously permitted fluoridation, and authorizes the state health commissioner to enforce the prohibition with daily fines for noncompliance. This change directly affects municipal and privately owned water providers across the state.