Sen. Nathan Wesenberg

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $300,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Upsala Area Historical Society. The funds will support the society's museum operations to preserve historical artifacts and document the immigrant history of the Upsala area. The grant is directed to the society's governing board through the Minnesota Historical Society. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no additional policy provisions or requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that direct primary care agreements (where patients pay a periodic fee for primary care services) are not considered health insurance or subject to insurance regulations. It defines a "direct primary care agreement" as a written contract between a patient and provider that includes specific terms: no termination fees, clear periodic fees for defined services, prohibition on extra charges for included services, and a prominent statement that it is not insurance. The bill exempts these agreements and providers from Minnesota's insurance regulations (chapters 60A-72A) when the agreement meets all defined requirements. It applies to agreements issued, offered, or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 756 amends Minnesota Statute 346.021 to require finders of lost animals (estrays) to give notice to the owner within seven days if the owner is known, or to file a public notice within ten days if the owner is unknown. It directly affects individuals who find lost animals by imposing a legal obligation to provide this notice. The key provision creates civil liability for finders who fail to comply, making them liable for double the damages the owner suffers due to the lack of notice. This change aims to streamline the process for owners to reclaim lost animals while clarifying consequences for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the minimum age to hunt big game (like deer, bear, or moose) from 10 to 8 years old in Minnesota. It directly affects children aged 8-11 who wish to hunt under parental supervision, requiring them to obtain a license and be within immediate reach of a parent or guardian. Key provisions include amending licensing statutes to include ages 8-12 in fee-exempt categories for big game hunting (e.g., no fee for 8-12-year-olds to hunt bear or deer) and updating supervision requirements. The change applies to both residents and nonresidents under 16, maintaining existing safety certification rules for older youth. This is a policy adjustment to hunting regulations, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySF 686, titled the "Unilateral Emergency Powers Repeal Act," removes the governor's authority to unilaterally declare a state of emergency. Instead, it requires the legislature to formally declare emergencies and extend them, shifting this power from the executive to the legislative branch. The bill also repeals the governor's ability to issue emergency orders with the full force of law and explicitly protects citizens' rights - including free speech, assembly, travel, and business operations - from infringement during emergencies. These changes amend multiple sections of Minnesota Statutes related to emergency management (e.g., sections 12.03, 12.21, and 12.32) to establish a more collaborative process between the governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the environment and natural resources trust fund for a one-time grant to Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat, a nonprofit organization. The funds will support planning, building, and equipping a new shooting range and retreat facility specifically designed to accommodate disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities. The grant is available until the project is completed or abandoned, with no ongoing annual funding required. This directly affects the nonprofit organization and its ability to serve disabled veterans and people with disabilities through improved accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat, a nonprofit organization. The funds will support building a new shooting range and retreat designed specifically for disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities. The grant covers predesign, construction, furnishing, and equipment to create an accessible facility. This is a one-time appropriation with funds available until the project is completed.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates the Board of Animal Health as the primary regulator for farmed white-tailed deer in Minnesota, reversing prior authority held by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. It requires deer farmers to maintain 96-inch-high, high-tensile fencing with redundant gates, undergo regular inspections, and correct violations within 14 days (or face facility registration revocation). The Board now enforces rules for fencing, escape prevention, and chronic wasting disease testing, while farmers remain liable for escape-related costs and disease management. This directly affects deer farmers and state agencies responsible for animal health oversight.

Maddy summarySF 1681 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota governors and lieutenant governors to two terms each. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would change the state constitution to restrict future officeholders to no more than two consecutive terms. The bill requires the amendment to be submitted to voters with a specific ballot question asking whether term limits should be added to the governor and lieutenant governor positions. The amendment would apply to all elections beginning in 2026, including counting prior elections toward the term limit.

Maddy summarySF 688 modifies Minnesota's self-defense laws by eliminating the common law duty to retreat when using force outside one's home. It expands the definition of "dwelling" to include porches, decks, adjacent structures, and even vehicles or temporary accommodations used as a home. The bill creates a legal presumption that a person acting in self-defense is justified, applying to all uses of force occurring on or after August 1, 2025. This directly affects Minnesotans using force in self-defense, particularly in non-residential settings where retreat was previously required.