Sen. Aric Putnam

Maddy summarySF 2458 is a budget bill that appropriates $65.1 million for Minnesota's Department of Agriculture in fiscal year 2026 and $65.7 million in fiscal year 2027, with additional funding for the Board of Animal Health and Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. It allocates specific funds for soil health assistance (capping at $50,000 per recipient annually), livestock compensation, crop damage claims, and pollinator research. The bill also includes policy changes to agriculture statutes, establishes new reporting requirements, and modifies fees. This funding directly supports farmers, agricultural businesses, and state agencies managing these programs across Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 3416 modifies Minnesota's Board of Medical Practice membership, increasing total members from 16 to 17 and adjusting the balance to 9 licensed physicians and 8 public members who must meet specific criteria like consumer advocacy experience and community connections to diverse groups. It requires the Board of Medicine website to display detailed provider profiles and mandates that patient contact points (such as clinics) post specific safety information for public access. The bill also establishes new processes for complaint review committees and requires an annual audit and reporting, effective January 1, 2026. These changes directly affect medical providers, the Board, and patients seeking transparent healthcare information.

Maddy summarySF 3311 would adjust Minnesota's corporate franchise tax rate based on changes to federal corporate tax rates. Specifically, it requires the tax commissioner to automatically increase the state's base 9.8% corporate franchise tax rate by the same percentage that the federal corporate tax rate decreased (as referenced in Public Law 115-97), rounded to the nearest 0.05%. This bill directly affects corporations operating in Minnesota that pay the state's franchise tax. The adjustment mechanism is contingent solely on federal tax rate changes and takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund for the Hunger-Free Campus grant program during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly provides funding to Minnesota public colleges and universities to support campus food security initiatives, such as meal programs or food pantries. The bill authorizes the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education to distribute these grants under existing law (Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.137). This is a funding measure, not a new policy, aimed at expanding existing hunger prevention efforts at educational institutions.

Maddy summarySF 3364 creates a tax subtraction for financial institutions in Minnesota that provide qualifying commercial loans. It allows S corporations (via § 290.0132) and all financial institutions (via § 290.0134) to subtract income from loans meeting three criteria: (1) $5 million or less in value, (2) provided to a Minnesota resident or business, and (3) used primarily for business or agricultural purposes. This change reduces taxable income for participating financial institutions, effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2024. The bill directly affects financial institutions issuing such loans within Minnesota, not the borrowers.

Maddy summarySF 3387 allocates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide emergency assistance to veterans through the nonprofit organization Every Third Saturday. This one-time appropriation requires the organization to submit annual reports by September 1, 2026, and 2027, detailing how the funds were used and the number of veterans served. The reports must be provided to Minnesota’s commissioner of veterans affairs and relevant legislative committees. The bill directly affects veterans receiving emergency aid and the nonprofit managing the program.

Maddy summarySF 3373 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 to support using drones for delivering medical supplies to rural Minnesota communities. The funds will cover infrastructure for drone operations beyond visual line of sight, help obtain federal flight waivers, test delivery systems, and educate the public. This one-time funding requires collaboration between the Transportation Commissioner, Health Commissioner, and Board of Pharmacy to develop drone delivery programs in underserved rural areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $215,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $215,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Historical Society. The funds will be used as grants to support the Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center - Farmamerica. The bill does not change policies or create new programs, but provides specific annual funding for this existing center. It directly affects the center's operations through these designated grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund for the WonderTrek Children's Museum in Baxter, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The funds are designated for phase I capital improvements to their nine-acre campus, including site infrastructure, landscaping, a 2,400-square-foot indoor-outdoor classroom, four acres of nature play exhibits, and outdoor recreation facilities. The appropriation is one-time and available until project completion, per Minnesota Statutes. It directly affects the museum’s physical expansion plans and requires the commissioner of employment and economic development to disburse the grant.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund and $2.5 million from the workforce development fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (totaling $6 million over two years) to Minnesota Initiative Foundations. The funds must support rural communities in developing child care planning action plans, engaging private sector investment, and providing business training to child care providers. Foundations are required to use the money to help rural child care businesses improve quality, stabilize operations, and access quality rating programs through local partnerships. The funding is available until June 30, 2031, with a base appropriation of $1 million annually from the general fund starting in 2028.