Sen. Torrey Westrom

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4.5 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund grants for Minnesota gas stations (retail petroleum dispensers) to upgrade equipment for dispensing E25 biofuel blends. Eligible stations must be located in Minnesota, have no more than 15 dispensing sites, and use grants to replace non-certified equipment. Grants cannot exceed $200,000 per station, with unused 2026 funds carrying over to 2027, and the annual appropriation reducing to $3 million after 2027. The Agriculture Commissioner must annually report on grant usage, including project types, geographic distribution, and support for minority/female-owned businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund to Minnesota's Board of Animal Health for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It provides funding to support the board's existing duties under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 35, which governs animal health oversight. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on funding allocation without changing laws or creating new policies.

Maddy summarySF 1191, the "Never Again Act," would replace the governor's authority to declare emergencies with a legislative process requiring the Minnesota Legislature to approve emergency declarations. It repeals the governor's power to issue emergency orders with "full force and effect of law" and explicitly protects citizens' rights - including free speech, religious exercise, assembly, travel, and business operations - from being infringed during emergencies. The bill amends multiple emergency management statutes to transfer declaration authority to the Legislature and requires legislative approval for emergency extensions. This directly affects the governor's emergency powers and all Minnesotans whose rights could be restricted under current emergency rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts fiber optic cables and underground conduits purchased or leased by broadband providers for building infrastructure used to deliver internet services to end users. It directly affects broadband and internet service providers in Minnesota by removing sales and use taxes on these specific materials. The exemption applies to fiber and conduit used primarily in providing retail broadband services, as defined in the new tax code section. The provision takes effect for purchases made after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4,518,000 annually from the general fund for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It provides funding to support AURI's existing statutory duties under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116V, which focus on agricultural research and development. The funding directly supports AURI's work in advancing agricultural innovation and economic development in Minnesota. This is a straightforward budget allocation with no new policy changes, solely providing financial resources for the Institute's current operations.

Maddy summarySF 1220 transfers a one-time amount from the state general fund to the University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative for fiscal year 2026. The initiative focuses on helping Minnesota farmers incorporate perennial and winter-annual crops into existing farming practices to protect natural resources while improving farm efficiency, profitability, and productivity. This bill allocates existing state funds to support the University of Minnesota's existing program without creating new regulations. The funding is specifically designated for this purpose and is a one-time budget transfer.

Maddy summarySF 1189 modifies Minnesota's child care licensing rules by adding new exemptions for certain providers that no longer need state licensing. It specifically exempts nonprofit youth programs (grades K-12) with written parental consent and safety policies, family child care providers serving up to 10 children with strict age limits, and accredited nonpublic school programs requiring background checks. The bill also clarifies documentation requirements for some exempt programs, such as verifying accreditation standards. These changes directly affect child care providers who previously needed licenses but now qualify for exemptions under specific conditions. The policy aims to reduce regulatory burden for certain low-risk care settings while maintaining safety safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund for preliminary engineering work on a proposed interchange at Interstate Highway 94 near the Lake Burgen rest area in Douglas County. It requires the state transportation commissioner to choose between using existing Douglas County State-Aid Highway 23 or Highway 17 infrastructure, based on projected 50-year local growth and input from local officials. The funding is a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2029, and directly affects Douglas County residents and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The bill does not fund construction but focuses on planning and site selection.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires clear labeling for food products made from cell-cultured animal tissue or insect protein. It mandates that manufacturers label such products with "cell-cultured," "lab-grown," or an approved equivalent term in prominent type near the product name, and restaurants must identify these items on menus. Insect protein products must display "insect protein" on labels and list both common and scientific insect names in ingredients. The law directly affects food producers, grocery stores, and restaurants selling these products in Minnesota. It aims to ensure consumers can easily identify these novel food items without using technical jargon.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 779 appropriates $25 million in state bonds to fund Phase One improvements for the Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District's (ALASD) regional water reclamation facility. The funds will cover design, engineering, construction, and equipment for upgrades to ALASD's water treatment infrastructure. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds under Minnesota law to provide this funding, which directly affects ALASD's operations and service area. This is a concrete funding mechanism for infrastructure, not a procedural or commemorative measure.