Sen. Jason Rarick

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts credit card transaction fees from sales tax for specific breweries in a single county (population 36,000-37,000 per 2020 census) that hold both a brewer's license and retail on-sale permit. It allows affected businesses to apply for refunds of sales tax paid on these fees for transactions between July 2020 and December 2023. The state appropriates funds from the general budget to cover these refunds, which cannot be issued before June 2025. The exemption applies retroactively to the covered period, directly benefiting eligible breweries in that county.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure improvements in Thomson Township. It directly affects Thomson Township residents by financing the replacement of aging water distribution systems, sanitary sewer infrastructure, and street reconstruction. The key mechanism authorizes the state to issue up to $3.5 million in bonds, with funds administered through the Public Facilities Authority for the township’s design and construction projects. The legislation enables critical upgrades to municipal systems without requiring local tax increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1879) exempts cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence data centers from Minnesota's energy savings goals for commercial buildings. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 216B.2402, subdivision 3a, by defining "data mining facility" to specifically include facilities using electricity primarily for processing digital currency transactions (like cryptocurrency) and artificial intelligence operations. This change directly affects new or existing crypto and AI data centers in Minnesota, removing them from requirements that other commercial buildings must meet to reduce energy use. The policy change is a technical adjustment to the statute's definition, not a new program or funding measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction of new public or charter schools within one-quarter mile of certain former landfills or dump sites. It directly affects school districts planning new facilities by banning construction on land near sites listed by the Pollution Control Agency as potentially contaminated or identified in a 2001 study. Key provisions define "closed landfill" and "dump site" and specify that the prohibition covers school buildings, playgrounds, and athletic fields. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits undocumented noncitizens from receiving state-funded financial aid in Minnesota. It specifically bars state tax revenue payments, grants, loans, or subsidies for higher education from being provided to noncitizens who are not lawfully present in the U.S. The policy applies to all state financial aid programs, including the North Star Promise scholarship, and takes effect for the fall 2025-2026 academic year. It directly affects undocumented noncitizen students seeking state financial assistance for college.

Maddy summarySF 1823 requires Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) to include specific details in its annual report to legislative committees about how state agencies are addressing audit recommendations from the Legislative Auditor. The bill mandates that for each recommendation, the report must detail: (1) actions taken, (2) completion status, (3) reasons for delays, (4) remaining work needed, and (5) a timeline for full resolution. This directly affects MMB and all executive agencies subject to Legislative Auditor audits. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 16A.057 to enforce these reporting requirements, effective January 15 annually.

Maddy summarySF 1849 exempts certain farm workers from Minnesota's Paid Leave Law. It specifically excludes employees of farmers, family farms, or family farm corporations who work 28 days or fewer per year, or those employed by farms with five or fewer total employees. This change modifies the law's definition of "covered employment" and "employee" to remove these agricultural workers from the law's requirements. The bill directly affects small-scale agricultural employers and their seasonal workers, not impacting other covered workers or the law's general structure. The exemption applies automatically without requiring opt-in procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain farm fencing and equipment from Minnesota's sales tax, directly benefiting farmers who purchase these items for agricultural operations. It specifically covers fencing used to contain farmed deer or elk, farm machinery, generators powering farm equipment or livestock facilities, and materials for constructing or repairing farm fencing. The exemption applies to sales made after June 30, 2025, removing tax on these items for agricultural producers. It does not affect general sales tax rates or other exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.5 million in state bond funds to pave specific local roads in Sturgeon Lake, including Timberline Road, Second Street, Lind Street, and others listed in the bill. The city of Sturgeon Lake will receive the full grant without needing to provide matching local funds. The state will issue bonds to cover this cost under existing bond laws (Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631-16A.675). The measure directly affects Sturgeon Lake's road maintenance budget and infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows multiple Minnesota school districts to form agreements to jointly operate and maintain an ice arena, sharing the operational costs. It directly affects school districts that own or operate ice rinks, requiring them to apportion costs among cooperating districts per their agreement and report this to the state. The bill also mandates that districts demonstrate equal access to ice time and sports opportunities for male and female students, particularly for girls' ice sports teams at junior varsity and younger levels. These changes apply to operational costs starting with taxes payable in 2026.