Sen. Jeff Howe

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges to impose longer prison sentences for violent offenders who used a firearm in their current crime and had two or more prior violent crimes involving firearms. It mandates consecutive sentencing for these offenders and requires them to serve their full prison term without early release options like parole or work release. The law applies to individuals convicted of a violent felony with two prior violent felony convictions where a firearm was used. These provisions apply to crimes committed after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates Donovan Notch for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting America. The document recognizes his specific contributions, including designing and building covered dugouts for a local baseball field to benefit youth athletes. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the resolution and send it to Notch as a record of this achievement. This measure is purely ceremonial and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally honors Troy Heck for his 32 years of dedicated public service in Benton County. The bill specifically recognizes his long tenure as a law enforcement officer, including his 12 years as the county sheriff and his upcoming retirement in 2027. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the resolution and send it to Heck as a gesture of gratitude. This measure is purely ceremonial and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 3939 appropriates one-time funding from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to create a statewide driver education campaign about the "Move Over" law. The campaign will educate drivers on state law requiring them to slow down and change lanes when passing stopped emergency vehicles or other designated vehicles. This bill directly affects all drivers in Minnesota who operate vehicles on public roads, aiming to increase awareness of existing safety requirements under Minnesota Statutes § 169.18, subdivisions 11 and 11a.

Maddy summarySF 3747 appropriates $6.5 million from the general fund to help Minnesota school districts, charter schools, and Tribal contract schools purchase and install 1,400 smart monitored automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets on school grounds. The funding covers $4,500 per cabinet, including AED units, bleeding kits, naloxone, four years of monitoring and maintenance, and installation compliance with Minnesota Statutes §403.51. Schools must place cabinets in publicly accessible locations, maintain them for four years without additional state funds, and report installation details to the legislature by October 2027. This one-time appropriation is available until June 2030.

Maddy summarySF 3819 appropriates $3 million from state bonds to fund improvements at the Benton County Government Center. The funds will cover design, construction, and equipment for the center and related site infrastructure, directly benefiting Benton County government operations. The bill authorizes the state to sell up to $3 million in bonds under Minnesota law to provide this funding. This is a capital investment measure focused on physical upgrades to a county government facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover all FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for dementia treatment, including diagnostic testing. It prohibits health plans from using step therapy (requiring patients to try less effective or cheaper treatments first) for these dementia treatments. The law applies to health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting Minnesotans with dementia and their insurance providers. It also modifies prior authorization rules for certain medications but centers on guaranteeing access to dementia-specific care without restrictive coverage hurdles.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's state veteran benefits to include former National Guard members and reservists who meet specific criteria. It defines an "eligible veteran" as someone residing in Minnesota who served honorably during a time of hostilities in the National Guard or U.S. reserve forces, completed their military service obligation, and received an honorable discharge. Eligible individuals would gain access to existing state benefits such as grave markers, honor guards, state cemetery burial, job preference in government hiring, and streamlined license renewals. The bill does not create new benefits but extends eligibility for current state programs to this group of veterans.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates Dr. Dave Tilstra for receiving the 2025 Copic/MMA Humanitarian Award. The document recognizes his thirty-year career as a clinical geneticist and his leadership in founding community health initiatives that promote nutrition, exercise, and active transportation. It also notes that the award includes a $10,000 donation designated to support genetic testing for families facing financial barriers. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the document and send it to Dr. Tilstra as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits organizations receiving state funding from spending money on political activities. It directly affects nonprofits and other entities that get state money through direct appropriations or grants (like those for social services or community programs). The key provision bans campaign expenditures or any political spending by these organizations, effective July 1, 2025. The law applies broadly to all state-funded entities, regardless of their specific grant type.