Sen. Aric Putnam

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a participation fee on Minnesota colleges and universities with significant assets and Minnesota-based students. Specifically, institutions with over $100 million in assets, at least 500 Minnesota tuition-paying students, and over 50% of students from Minnesota must pay a fee based on their "asset growth" (increase in non-educational assets per student). The fee rate ranges from 15% to 25% depending on per-student asset value, calculated annually. Collected fees fund a dedicated "higher education assets growth account" in the state treasury, which supports student aid programs under Minnesota Statutes. The fee applies to taxable years beginning after December 2025, affecting the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill 3197 establishes a tax on large social media platforms that collect consumer data from Minnesota residents. It directly affects for-profit social media businesses with more than 100,000 Minnesota users monthly, imposing a tiered tax based on user volume: $0 for ≤100,000 users, $0.10 per user over 100,000 for 100k-500k users, $40,000 plus $0.25 per user over 500k for 500k-1 million users, and $165,000 plus $0.50 per user over 1 million users. The tax applies to data collection (not just user count), with platforms required to verify Minnesota residency and pay quarterly. Revenues fund the state general fund, and businesses can claim credits for similar taxes paid to other states.

Maddy summarySF 905 requires political committees, parties, and other groups spending over $10,000 in an election cycle to disclose the original source of campaign funds. It defines "covered entities" as organizations meeting this spending threshold and mandates they track and report the identity of individuals or businesses providing "personal funds" (like salary or investments) or "business income" used for campaign spending. Covered entities must maintain detailed records of fund origins and submit this information to the state election board, which will post it publicly on a dedicated website. This bill amends Minnesota campaign finance laws to increase transparency about the ultimate donors behind campaign spending, excluding individual candidates using only their own funds and small entities receiving under $5,000 from any single donor.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.2 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at Waite Park's Quarry Redevelopment Project. The funds will be granted to the City of Waite Park to design and build parking, lighting, and pedestrian access infrastructure. The state will issue bonds up to $3.2 million to cover this cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The project directly affects Waite Park residents and visitors by improving access to the redevelopment site. The bill takes effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 3077 establishes a voluntary registry for thoroughbred racehorses that resided at Minnesota racetracks for at least 120 days in the previous year. Racetracks receive $750 per registered horse starting a race (reimbursed by the state), while $7 million in one-time funding supports grants for repurposing retired racehorses ($500,000 annually minimum) and mental health/education services for stable workers and local communities ($500,000 annually minimum). The program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, expires July 1, 2028, and requires a $100 annual registry application fee from horse owners. It directly affects racetracks, horse owners, retired racehorses, and stable workers in Minnesota's equine industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special license plate for vehicles supporting Minnesota's Solar Pollinator Program. Vehicle owners who pay a $60 annual fee to a pollinator habitat fund (instead of a standard plate fee) can obtain these plates, which must display a design developed with environmental groups. It also establishes that solar sites integrated with farming activities - like growing crops, grazing livestock, or creating pollinator habitats - are eligible for "solar site management practices" under existing law. The program applies to passenger vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles registered in Minnesota, with plates effective January 2026. The bill directly affects solar developers seeking agrivoltaic eligibility and vehicle owners participating in pollinator habitat funding.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill 3065 would impose a monthly tax on social media companies based on the number of Minnesota users whose data they collect. It targets for-profit social media platforms with more than 100,000 Minnesota users per month, charging tiered rates: $0.10 per user for 100,001-500,000 users, $0.25 for 500,001-1,000,000 users, and $0.50 for over 1 million users. The tax applies to data collection (not just user count), with "Minnesota consumer" defined as residents based on address or IP. The bill would take effect for data collected after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $700,000 from the general fund for the Center for Rural Policy and Development in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are directed to the commissioner of employment and economic development to support the Center's work. The Center, which focuses on rural economic development issues, will directly benefit from this funding. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a tax on the annual growth of assets held by large Minnesota colleges and universities. It applies to institutions with over $100 million in assets, at least 500 tuition-paying students, and more than half of those students located in Minnesota. The tax rate (15% to 25%) depends on the institution’s per-student asset value, calculated by dividing total assets by the number of tuition-paying students. Revenue from this tax will fund a dedicated "Higher Education Assets Growth Account" in the state’s special revenue fund, which will support state grant programs for higher education. The tax takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 3182 establishes voluntary microcredentials for educators working with English Learner (EL) programs, including for administrators and teachers in specific subjects like math, science, and language arts. It requires licensed teachers to complete five hours of annual professional development every five years on multilingualism, multiculturalism, and culturally validating pedagogy. The bill also adjusts school funding formulas to provide additional revenue for students with limited or interrupted formal education, increasing EL program funding for districts. These changes directly affect EL program staff, school districts receiving EL funding, and the Professional Educator Licensing Board, which must create the required rules.