Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summarySF 3561 requires Minnesota peace officer departments to report all firearm discharges during duty (except training or animal control) to the Commissioner of Public Safety within 30 days. For accidental or negligent discharges, departments must include specific details about the firearm (make, model, caliber) and accessories (like lights or holsters), noting if they were factory or aftermarket. The Commissioner must then forward these reports to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and submit an annual summary to the legislature by November 15 each even-numbered year. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and aims to increase transparency around firearm use by officers.

Maddy summarySF 2228 appropriates $3.5 million from the general fund for Minnesota's violent crime enforcement teams in fiscal year 2026. This one-time funding is directed to the commissioner of public safety to support these teams' operations. The bill does not change existing laws or create new programs, but provides specific financial resources for current enforcement efforts. It directly affects the state's public safety agency and the teams designated to address violent crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $175,000 from the state's general fund to support a pilot youth mentoring program called Bolder Options. The program will serve young people aged 12 to 21 in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester by introducing them to public service career paths, including opportunities with the Minnesota Army National Guard. The funding is designated as a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2027 and will be managed by the commissioner of public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes private companies to administer road tests for commercial driver's licenses in Minnesota, expanding options beyond state-run testing centers. It allows approved third-party testing programs to conduct practical driving demonstrations for commercial license applicants, with the commissioner responsible for approving programs and setting requirements. Key provisions include establishing application procedures for testing programs, requiring surety bonds, and mandating that test routes be mapped and submitted for approval. The legislation also directs the commissioner to create rules implementing the program and requires a report on the initiative's implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows small Minnesota businesses with 30 or fewer employees and lower average wages to apply for financial assistance grants to help cover costs when employees take family or medical leave. Under the new provisions, eligible employers can receive up to $3,000 for each temporary worker hired or wage increase made to substitute for an employee on leave for at least seven days, with a maximum total of $6,000 per employer per year. The bill removes a previous restriction that barred employers with private paid leave plans from receiving these grants, while requiring documentation that the costs are directly tied to employee leave usage. Funding is capped at $5 million annually from the family and medical benefit insurance account, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's wetland replacement ratio requirements. It changes the standard 2:1 replacement ratio (two acres restored for each acre drained) to a 1:1 ratio specifically for wetlands on agricultural land or in areas with over 80% agricultural use. This directly affects farmers, developers, and landowners working with wetlands on agricultural properties. The key provision simplifies compliance for agricultural wetland impacts while maintaining stricter requirements for nonagricultural land. The change applies to all wetland replacement plans under Minnesota Statutes sections 103G.222 and 103G.2242.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the city of Sartell as a Destination Medical Center Community and establishes it as a medical enterprise zone to encourage healthcare-related economic growth. Under the new provisions, the city council must select a specific geographic area within Sartell where local and state taxes collected from businesses and residents can be used exclusively for medical infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing projects. The legislation adds a new section to Minnesota Statutes chapter 469 and takes effect immediately upon final passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of state bonds to fund the Water Infrastructure Funding Program in Minnesota, directing proceeds to eligible municipalities for water and wastewater projects. It specifically allocates $9 million for the City of Paynesville to upgrade its wastewater industrial pretreatment facility, increasing treatment capacity and modernizing systems. The legislation requires the commissioner of management and budget to issue bonds up to an unspecified amount following state statutes and constitutional guidelines. Once enacted, the funding becomes available immediately for distribution to qualifying local governments seeking infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $9 million in bonds to fund an expansion of the wastewater industrial pretreatment facility in the city of Paynesville. The appropriated funds will be used by the city to design, construct, and equip improvements that increase treatment capacity and upgrade existing systems. The commissioner of management and budget is responsible for selling the bonds and distributing the proceeds to the Public Facilities Authority for the project.

Maddy summarySF 3636 requires local fire departments (or mayors/town clerks in areas without fire departments) to report fires involving alternative energy systems like solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal installations. Reports must include the fire's cause, origin, financial damage, and injury details. The state fire marshal must then compile these reports into an annual summary, submitted to legislative committees by February 15 each year. This bill directly affects fire departments, state officials, and entities operating alternative energy systems by creating a standardized reporting process for fire incidents.