Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes and appropriates funds to pay deputy registrars for processing vehicle registration transactions where no fee is charged. It requires the state to distribute $9 per no-fee renewal and $13 per other no-fee transaction (like corrections) to deputy registrars quarterly. The funds come from the driver and vehicle services operating account, covering transactions where fees were waived due to errors or refunds. This directly affects local deputy registrars who handle vehicle registrations without charging standard fees.

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 redirects specific sales tax revenues to the highway user tax distribution fund. It requires that 43.5% of sales tax revenue from motor vehicle repair and replacement parts (including tires, fluids, and accessories) be deposited into the highway fund each year, with the percentage increasing gradually through 2033. It also mandates that estimated sales tax revenue from short-term vehicle rentals (28 days or less) be deposited into the highway fund based on prior year's deposits. The bill directly affects businesses selling motor vehicle repair parts and short-term vehicle rental services in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1180 modifies how traffic fine revenue is distributed between local governments and state highway funds. The bill changes the current split so that two-thirds of most traffic fines collected by local officers go directly to their law enforcement budgets (with at least half used for policing), while one-third goes to the state highway user tax fund. It also adjusts the split for fines issued by State Patrol troopers (one-third to local entities, two-thirds to the highway fund) and updates surcharge distributions, directing $25 from certain traffic violations to the general fund instead of highway funds. These changes affect local law enforcement agencies, state highway programs, and the Minnesota grade crossing safety account. The bill does not create new traffic laws but alters revenue allocation for existing fines.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Minnesota's deer hunting rules by allowing straight-wall cartridge ammunition to be used statewide for taking deer, rather than only in the current "shotgun use area" defined by specific boundary lines. It directly affects deer hunters across Minnesota who use this type of ammunition. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 97B.318 to remove the geographic restriction, making straight-wall cartridges legal everywhere in the state during the regular firearms deer season. This is a specific policy change to the existing hunting regulations, not a new rule.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases minimum fines for drivers operating vehicles without insurance. For a first offense, fines rise from $200-$300 to $550 if it occurs within 10 years of a prior violation, and to $850 for two or more prior violations within that timeframe. It applies to both drivers and vehicle owners who fail to provide proof of insurance when required by law. The changes take effect August 1, 2025, and aim to strengthen enforcement of insurance requirements for all vehicle operators.

Maddy summarySF 1164 creates a new "full-service provider account" to receive specific fees from vehicle transactions. It modifies how $8 vehicle registration renewal fees and $12 transaction fees are distributed, directing portions to this new account (e.g., $4.00 per renewal fee and $4.25 per other transaction fee). The bill also adds a $5 surcharge on mail-in vehicle registration renewals, splitting $2.50 to the new provider account and $2.50 to the operating account. This affects vehicle owners paying fees, full-service providers (like dealerships), and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety managing fee collections. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Division of Driver and Vehicle Services to update its website to show real-time availability for road skills examinations. It mandates that the website display the next available exam dates and times at each location and include a feature allowing applicants to enter an address to find the closest available appointments sorted by distance. The changes apply to all applicants needing a class D road skills test for driver's license issuance. The policy modifies existing website requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 171.13 to improve transparency and accessibility of scheduling. The changes take effect August 1, 2025.

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 summaryThis bill establishes rules for cost sharing on Minnesota's trunk highway projects. It requires the state transportation commissioner to ensure local governments aren't obligated to pay for costs within a highway's right-of-way that result directly from the project (such as utility relocations), regardless of whether the work benefits non-trunk highways. The bill also appropriates funds from the general fund for these non-trunk highway project costs in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It applies to projects starting construction after July 1, 2025, with exceptions for projects already in the state transportation program before that date. The policy directly affects local governments and the state Department of Transportation in funding highway improvements.