Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.15 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to rebuild 322nd Street in Stearns County and the city of St. Cloud. The funds will cover design, engineering, environmental analysis, land acquisition, and reconstruction of the street segment between County State-Aid Highway 4 and Highway 133. The money is directed to Stearns County or the city of St. Cloud for this specific infrastructure project. This is a procedural funding bill focused solely on allocating resources for a defined local road improvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy requirements for state-funded construction projects by clarifying that sustainable building guidelines do not mandate on-site renewable energy sources. It directs the Department of Administration and Department of Commerce to develop design guidelines for new state buildings and major renovations that must exceed the state energy code by at least 30 percent. The changes apply to projects where predesign work is completed after the bill's enactment, affecting all future state building construction and renovation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility requirements for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to include honorably discharged National Guard and reserve component members along with their spouses and dependent children. It establishes a fee schedule for these new eligible groups that covers actual interment costs while allowing fee waivers for indigent applicants, while maintaining free burial for service members who die on active duty and other eligible veterans. The legislation also clarifies that cemeteries must operate solely for the burial of these specified groups and their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's veterans benefits services disclosure requirements by updating definitions and repealing specific advertising disclosure provisions. It directly affects individuals who advertise veterans benefits appeal services and county veterans service officers who provide these services. The key changes include reorganizing the definitions of "veterans benefits appeal services" and "veterans benefits services" while removing the requirement that advertisements must disclose that free services are available through county veterans service officers. Additionally, the bill eliminates the exemption that protects media owners and personnel from these disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds to expand a loan forgiveness program specifically for physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology who practice in designated rural areas of Minnesota. The funding, allocated for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, will be used to repay education loans for eligible OB/GYN doctors working in rural communities. If there are not enough qualified OB/GYN applicants to use all the funds, the remaining money will be transferred to other eligible medical professions for loan forgiveness. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been referred to the Health and Human Services committee for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a requirement that would have mandated Minnesota to adopt new residential energy codes starting in 2026. It deletes the specific provision (previously section 326B.106, subdivision 1(g)) that required the commissioner to adopt codes aiming for a 70% reduction in residential building energy use by 2038. The repeal eliminates future updates to residential energy standards, removing a requirement that would have affected builders, developers, and local jurisdictions implementing construction codes. This change directly alters the process for updating Minnesota's residential energy efficiency rules without establishing new targets.

Maddy summarySF 3686 establishes a rotational grazing pilot program in Minnesota, providing grants to farmers for implementing or improving rotational grazing systems. The program awards up to $25,000 per farmer (requiring a 50% match from the farmer) to establish perennial forages or purchase infrastructure like fencing and watering systems, with funds reimbursed after implementation. It aims to enhance prairie/woodland use and protect water sources by controlling livestock density and rotation. The program is funded with $2 million from the environment trust fund for fiscal year 2027, requiring a 2028 report on grant distribution and results.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies milk offering requirements for Minnesota schools participating in the federal National School Lunch Program. It requires schools to provide various fluid milk options (including flavored/unflavored whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk, plus nutritionally equivalent nondairy beverages) and mandates that schools must offer lactose-reduced milk or lactase-fortified milk for students with documented lactose intolerance upon parental request. The bill also permits schools to serve these products directly from large containers during meal service. These provisions apply to all public and nonpublic schools receiving school lunch aid or participating in the breakfast program.

Maddy summarySF 4058 exempts certain transportation workers from Minnesota's Paid Leave Law. It specifically excludes individuals in jobs regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (under 49 U.S.C. § 31502) and workers employed by businesses in the motor freight transportation and warehousing industry (defined by SIC codes 4212-01 through 4231-02). This means these workers will no longer be covered by the state's paid leave requirements, which typically mandate employer-provided paid leave for qualifying events like illness or family care. The bill adds these categories to the existing list of exemptions in Minnesota law, directly affecting transportation workers in these specific roles and industries.

Maddy summarySF 4025 appropriates $2.25 million from state bonds to fund infrastructure improvements in the City of St. Joseph, specifically expanding the wastewater collection system and related infrastructure for industrial lots to support economic development. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $2.25 million to cover this appropriation, using funds from the bond proceeds fund. This funding will directly support St. Joseph's projects to design, construct, and equip new wastewater infrastructure. The bill affects the City of St. Joseph's ability to develop industrial areas and manage wastewater services.