Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.2 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at Waite Park's Quarry Redevelopment Project. The funds will be granted to the City of Waite Park to design and build parking, lighting, and pedestrian access infrastructure. The state will issue bonds up to $3.2 million to cover this cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The project directly affects Waite Park residents and visitors by improving access to the redevelopment site. The bill takes effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and memory of Thomas Zabinski, a public servant from St. Cloud who dedicated his career to fire rescue and public works. The document outlines his personal history, including his education, family life, and various community memberships, while noting his passing in March 2025. It formally commends his contributions to public safety and extends condolences to his surviving family members. Finally, the resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the document to be sent to the Zabinski family.

Maddy summarySF 3171 requires Minnesota state employees to report violations of laws governing state grants and contracts to supervisors, agency commissioners, or the legislative auditor. Failure to report such violations could result in disciplinary action, including termination. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 16B.98 (for grants) and 16C.045 (for contracts) to establish this requirement and protects employees who report in good faith under section 181.932. It directly affects state employees handling grants or contracts and mandates reporting to specific officials while limiting disclosure in audit reports to only violation counts and types.

Maddy summarySF 966 increases the surcharge for all-electric vehicles from $75 to $150 and adds new surcharges for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ($75), all-electric motorcycles ($30), and plug-in hybrid electric motorcycles ($15). The bill requires these surcharges to be paid upon vehicle registration and directs all revenue to the highway user tax distribution fund. It also mandates automatic annual adjustments to the surcharge amounts based on changes to Minnesota's gasoline excise tax. These changes directly affect owners of the specified electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles when registering them in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $15 million from regional transportation tax proceeds to the University of Minnesota for replacing suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge in Minneapolis. The funds must be used to design and construct new pedestrian enclosure and deterrent barriers, with requirements to consult suicide prevention organizations and experts during planning. It directly affects the University of Minnesota (as the grant recipient) and bridge users, particularly those at risk of self-harm. The provision modifies standard transportation fund allocation rules to prioritize this specific safety project.

Maddy summarySF 1496 amends Minnesota law to make it a misdemeanor to falsely impersonate an active/reserve military member, veteran, or public official with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits, or for political gain. The bill directly affects individuals who impersonate these roles to secure personal advantages or political influence. Key provisions criminalize such impersonation under specific intent criteria, adding to existing penalties for similar offenses. This change updates Minnesota Statutes section 609.475 to explicitly include "political gain" as a prohibited motive.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota's commissioner to approve youth skills training programs specifically in construction trades, requiring these programs to operate only at central locations like training facilities. It exempts students in these approved programs from conflicting child labor laws under Minnesota Statutes section 181A.07, subdivision 7. The policy directly affects minors participating in construction trades training by enabling structured, location-based apprenticeships. It creates a clear pathway for youth to gain industry skills while complying with labor regulations. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 175.46 to add these requirements.

Maddy summarySF 1457 requires all Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans by the 2026-2027 school year. The plan must include AED placement guidelines, annual staff training in CPR and AED use, cardiac emergency simulations before each school year, and clear protocols for responding to cardiac arrests on school grounds or at school events. The bill appropriates $2 million (available until June 2027) to help schools purchase AEDs, CPR equipment, and cover related training costs. It directly affects schools, athletic programs through the Minnesota State High School League, and school staff responsible for emergency response.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pension offset stipend for Minnesota military service members called into state active duty. It requires the adjutant general to pay eligible service members a stipend equal to 5% of their basic pay during state service, compensating for pension inequities compared to similar federal service. The stipend applies specifically to members ordered into state active service under Governor authority, not to federal deployments. This change modifies Minnesota Statutes section 192.49, adding a new provision (subd. 2a) to address gaps in pension benefits for state-ordered service. It does not alter base pay rates ($130/day minimum or federal equivalent) but adds this targeted compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces annual safety assessments for railroads and pipelines from $4 million to $2.8 million per year. It changes how the assessment is split: railroads pay 70% of the total (based on route miles in Minnesota), while pipeline companies pay 30% (based on gallons of hazardous substances transported). The bill also requires companies involved in significant incidents to cover state/local costs for post-incident reviews. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to railroad and pipeline operators in Minnesota.