Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summarySF 492 establishes a voluntary certification program for commercial deicer applicators who remove snow and ice on privately owned properties for hire. To become certified, applicators must complete approved training on water-friendly practices, pass an exam, and renew every ten years. Certified applicators gain limited liability protection if they follow approved best management practices, but this protection does not apply for gross negligence, intentional harm, or failure to follow the practices. The bill requires certified applicators to maintain detailed records of deicer use for six years and submit annual reports on deicer types and amounts to the Pollution Control Agency. The program takes effect August 1, 2025.

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%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $400,000 for veterans with a total (100%) and permanent disability. The change directly affects qualifying veterans (requiring VA certification and honorable discharge), their surviving spouses who inherit the homestead, and approved primary family caregivers. The exclusion applies to the homestead property's taxable value, with specific application deadlines and eligibility requirements outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a temporary pause on most light rail transit project development in seven Minnesota counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington). It prohibits the Metropolitan Council from spending funds on planning, design, engineering, or construction for new light rail capital projects, excluding the existing Southwest Line (Green Line Extension) and work completed before the bill's effective date. The moratorium ends when the Southwest Line begins revenue operations, requiring the Council to notify legislative leaders of that date. The law applies immediately upon final enactment and affects all pending light rail development except the specified Green Line Extension project.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 479 modifies how sales tax revenue from vehicle repair and replacement parts is distributed in Minnesota. It directs 43.5% of this tax revenue to the highway user tax distribution fund each year, with increasing percentages (starting at 3.5% in 2024 and rising to 56.5% by 2030) going to the transportation advancement account. The remaining revenue after these allocations is deposited into the state general fund. This change affects state transportation funding by shifting more resources toward road maintenance and improvement programs over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $153 million from Minnesota's general fund to the state transportation commissioner for matching federal funds under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It directly enables Minnesota to access additional federal infrastructure funding for transportation projects by providing the required state match. The funds are a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2029, and must comply with existing requirements from 2023 legislation. This allows Minnesota to leverage federal IIJA dollars for road, bridge, and transit projects without creating new state programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands background checks for noncitizen applicants seeking a permit to carry a firearm in Minnesota. It requires noncitizen applicants to provide their country of birth and alien number or admission number on their application (added to Minnesota Statutes §624.714, subd. 3, cl. 7). Sheriffs must also perform an Immigration Alien Query (IAQ) check on noncitizen applicants, in addition to standard criminal record checks. The policy directly affects noncitizen residents applying for firearm permits, requiring them to disclose immigration status details during the background check process.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund grants for rural airports in Minnesota that don't qualify for federal funding and aren't included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. The funds will be distributed by the state transportation commissioner to local governments owning these eligible airports. The state will issue up to $10 million in bonds under existing state bond laws to finance this program. The program becomes effective the day after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summarySF 346 appropriates $4 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure upgrades in Raymond, Minnesota. The bill directly affects the city of Raymond by providing funds for the design, construction, and equipment of replacing aging water distribution systems, storm sewers, and city streets. Key mechanisms include authorizing the state to sell bonds up to $4 million under Minnesota law and directing the Public Facilities Authority to administer the grant to Raymond. This is a concrete funding measure for physical infrastructure repairs, not a procedural or commemorative act.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund for a one-time study of three intersections on Trunk Highway 23 in Rockville. The study will evaluate whether underpasses, overpasses, or tunnels would best improve safety at the intersections of Highway 23 with Stearns County Highways 47 and 82, and County Road 140. The bill explicitly prohibits considering J-turns as an option during the study. The funding is for fiscal year 2026 and directly affects transportation planning in Rockville.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.62 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to improve two intersections on Trunk Highway 23 in Rockville. The funds will pay for constructing acceleration lanes, right turn lanes, and turn buffers in both directions at the intersections with Stearns County Highway 47 and the junction of Stearns County Road 140 with Stearns County State-Aid Highway 82. The funding covers all project costs including design, engineering, and construction. This is a one-time appropriation directly affecting drivers and traffic flow at these specific Rockville intersections.