Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 1159, changes Minnesota's state income tax law to allow veterans and surviving spouses of veterans to fully subtract their taxable Social Security benefits from their state taxable income. Currently, most taxpayers face income-based phaseouts that reduce this subtraction; this bill removes that limitation specifically for veterans and surviving spouses. It directly affects eligible veterans and surviving spouses who receive Social Security benefits and file Minnesota state income tax returns. The change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and eliminates the income thresholds that previously reduced the subtraction amount for this group.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to obtain legislative approval before implementing certain changes to sentencing guidelines. Specifically, modifications that would alter the sentencing grid (including severity levels or criminal history scores), reduce sentences, or allow early inmate release must be submitted to the legislature by January 15th for approval, taking effect on August 1st unless lawmakers act otherwise. The bill also mandates an annual written report to criminal justice committees detailing all changes made or proposed. It directly affects the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and the legislative process for modifying sentencing policy.

Maddy summarySF 1303 requires the Minnesota Department of Transportation to submit a detailed report by January 31, 2026, on spending related to historic preservation, archaeology, and other cultural resources during trunk highway projects from fiscal years 2020 to 2027. The report must include yearly expenditure totals, comparisons of budgeted vs. actual spending, and project-level breakdowns by resource type (e.g., historic properties, burial grounds). A one-time $10,000 appropriation from the trunk highway fund covers the report's preparation. This bill does not change existing spending rules but mandates transparency about current cultural resources expenditures for legislative oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows transit operators (like city bus systems) that run third-party driver testing programs to partner with other transit operators to test their bus drivers. It directly affects transit agencies that provide or receive these testing services. The key provision requires such agreements between transit operators to be approved by the state transportation commissioner, and the testing provider can be reimbursed by the agency whose drivers are tested. The bill expands existing rules for school bus testing to apply specifically to transit bus drivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's state licensing boards to use plain language in the written portions of professional licensing exams by February 2026. It mandates that exam questions be written using clear, simple language - like short sentences, active voice, common words, and direct address ("you") - to ensure exams fairly test applicants' knowledge rather than reading comprehension. The law directly affects license applicants (e.g., for nursing, engineering, or cosmetology) and state licensing boards, which must implement these standards and submit a compliance report by February 2027. The goal is to make licensing exams more accessible and reduce barriers for applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to record all meetings (audio and visual) and make those recordings publicly available on its website or via a posted link. It directly affects the Commission, which must implement this recording and posting requirement, and the public, who gains access to meeting discussions. The bill amends existing law to add this transparency measure, while existing rules still govern when legislative approval is needed for sentencing guideline changes. The Commission must also continue submitting annual written reports to relevant legislative committees about guideline modifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes to allow the commissioner of corrections to revoke earned incentive credits under the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act. Previously, these credits (which reduce prison time by up to 17% of a sentence) were nonrevocable. Now, credits can be revoked if an incarcerated person violates facility rules or commits a new criminal act while in custody. The change directly affects people serving sentences in Minnesota prisons who earn these credits. It modifies the existing policy to permit revocation for specific violations, rather than making credits permanently nonrevocable.

Maddy summarySF 1330 requires that if an inmate in a county jail or similar local facility assaults a sheriff or deputy, the new sentence for the assault must run consecutively to any prior sentence. This means the person cannot have time served for earlier offenses counted toward the new assault sentence and must serve the full consecutive term in a state facility. The bill directly affects inmates in local correctional facilities who commit assaults against law enforcement officers, changing their sentencing rules under Minnesota Statutes 609.2232. It applies to assaults committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1306 exempts sales tax on construction materials purchased for Benton County's new government center in Foley, Minnesota. Materials bought between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2029, qualify for a refundable tax exemption, meaning the tax is collected first and then refunded through the state's standard process. The exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after March 31, 2025, but refunds won't be issued until after June 30, 2025. This directly affects Benton County (for the project) and suppliers selling materials for the center.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual contribution amounts required for Minnesota's blackout special license plates. Owners of these plates must pay $30 annually to the driver and vehicle services operating account and $20 annually to the Minnesota 100 Club account. The bill amends existing law to adjust these specific contribution amounts, directly affecting individuals who purchase or renew blackout license plates. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, but the bill does not specify the new exact amounts beyond stating they will be increased.