Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota's existing "shotgun use area" boundary for deer hunting, which previously restricted firearm types in specific geographic zones. It replaces this with a provision allowing counties to adopt local rules limiting firearm and ammunition types for deer hunting, after holding public hearings. Each county rule would expire after one year and require renewal through another public process. This shifts regulation from statewide boundaries to flexible county-level decisions, directly affecting deer hunters in counties that choose to implement such rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the market value exclusion from $150,000 to $200,000 for veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating, and from $300,000 to $400,000 for veterans with a total (100%) and permanent disability. The change directly affects qualifying veterans, their surviving spouses (if the veteran dies before applying), and primary family caregivers who live in the veteran's home. The key provision modifies Minnesota Statutes section 273.13 to provide higher tax savings on the primary home's value.

Maddy summarySF 623 amends Minnesota Statutes to allow licensed veterans organizations to use gross profits from lawful gambling (like raffles or bingo) for repairing, maintaining, or improving their real property. Specifically, it adds a new provision (subdivision 25(16)) permitting these organizations to cover utility costs (water, fuel, electricity, sewer) and facility upkeep for buildings they own or lease as their primary headquarters. This directly affects Minnesota-based veterans groups holding gambling licenses under state law. The change expands their allowable uses of gambling revenue beyond previous restrictions, focusing solely on facility maintenance without altering tax obligations or other existing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 609.06 to clarify that individuals legally allowed to use force for self-defense under specific circumstances (subdivision 1, clause 3) are not required to retreat before making a reasonable threat to use force. It directly affects Minnesotans who claim self-defense, removing the obligation to move away from a perceived threat before stating they will use force. The key provision explicitly states that the "duty to retreat" does not apply in these situations, even if retreat is possible. The change applies only to threats made before using force in legally recognized self-defense scenarios. The bill is effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 680 requires Minnesota state agencies to reduce their budget appropriations for any position that remains unfilled for 12 months or more after being posted. Specifically, agencies must cut funds equal to the salary and benefits saved by not filling these positions, affecting budgets for fiscal years 2028 and 2029. This applies only to positions posted in fiscal years 2025-2027 and excludes roles requiring law enforcement training. The state budget commissioner must report annual savings to legislative committees. The bill aims to encourage faster hiring by linking unfilled positions to budget reductions.

Maddy summarySF 598 requires publicly funded state and local facilities - such as prisons, county jails, and mental health institutions - to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when housing noncitizens suspected of being undocumented. Specifically, facility staff must immediately inquire about a person’s nationality upon commitment for a felony or mental health reasons, and if undocumented, provide ICE with four details: conviction date/crime, sentence length, country of citizenship, and entry date/entry point. The bill applies to all facilities receiving public funding and mandates that facilities conduct this review for all felony inmates by September 1, 2025. This is a procedural requirement focused on information sharing, not on altering immigration enforcement policies.

Maddy summarySF 631 shortens the period during which criminal investigative data remains confidential by reducing the default inactive timeline from 30 years to 20 years after the offense, whichever occurs first. This change means law enforcement data collected for investigations will become public after 20 years (or sooner if the statute of limitations expires), rather than after 30 years. The bill does not alter other provisions, such as data remaining confidential during an active investigation or the court process for seeking disclosure of inactive files. This adjustment affects how long law enforcement agencies can keep certain case details private and when the public gains access to historical records.

Maddy summarySF 616 appropriates $6,000 for fiscal year 2026 to provide $1,200 bonuses to eligible Minnesota service members who did not receive prior bonuses under Minnesota Statutes §197.79 but have a DD214 confirming qualifying service. It directly affects veterans whose military service meets specific criteria outlined in state law, requiring them to submit documentation to the Veterans Affairs commissioner by December 31, 2028. The funds are available until June 20, 2029, and are intended to supplement existing bonus programs for qualifying service. This bill creates a new payment mechanism for veterans meeting defined service requirements, without altering existing eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council to seek federal approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) before discontinuing the Northstar Commuter Rail line. It mandates that they specify the state will not reimburse federal funds used for the service and report the FTA's response to legislative committees within seven days. If approved, they must submit a detailed termination plan to lawmakers within 90 days. The law directly affects the Northstar rail service (connecting Minneapolis to Big Lake through Anoka, Ramsey, and other counties) and the state agencies managing it. The bill creates a formal process for ending this rail service, ensuring federal and legislative oversight before discontinuation.

Maddy summarySF 531 appropriates $3.5 million in state bond funds to the city of South Haven for infrastructure improvements. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds to cover costs for upgrading the city's water distribution system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, and reconstructing city streets. This funding directly supports South Haven's municipal infrastructure projects, with the money coming from the bond proceeds fund as specified in Minnesota Statutes. The appropriation is effective upon final enactment.