Sen. Aric Putnam

Maddy summaryThis bill increases a tax subtraction for Minnesota taxpayers who volunteer as drivers for charitable organizations. It allows volunteers to subtract mileage reimbursement received from charities that exceeds the IRS standard mileage rate (currently $0.67/mile for 2024), up to a maximum of $2.00 per mile. The provision directly affects volunteer drivers whose charitable organizations reimburse them for mileage beyond the IRS rate. The subtraction applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and the dollar amount is adjusted annually per state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $75,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program. The funds will be provided as grants to the Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation, which administers the program. The bill directly affects the foundation and the program’s participants, including agricultural leaders and rural community members in Minnesota. It does not create new policies but provides specific annual funding to sustain existing program operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund grants supporting Minnesota organizations developing markets and supply chains for continuous living cover crops. It specifically targets early-stage commercial systems like Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, elderberry, and regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, with grants requiring input from the agriculture commissioner. Grantees cannot receive duplicate funding for the same purpose from another agency in the same year. The commissioner must report by January 15, 2027, on how funds were used, including administrative costs. This is a one-time appropriation focused on advancing specific agricultural innovation.

Maddy summarySF 2327 creates a Minnesota-specific New Markets tax credit program to incentivize investments in low-income communities. It allocates $100 million for investments in "qualified active low-income community businesses" in Greater Minnesota (non-metro counties) and $100 million for similar investments in metro counties. Investors receive tax credits over six years (0% for first two years, 10% annually for the next five) based on equity investments in qualifying community development financial institutions. The program requires businesses to meet specific criteria, such as having principal operations in low-income areas and employing at least 60% of workers locally. The Department of Revenue will administer the credit and report on its implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the city of St. Cloud to design, construct, and equip an outdoor waterpark attached to the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA facility. It directly affects the YMCA, the city of St. Cloud, and the broader community by funding a new public recreation facility. The key mechanism is a specific state grant to cover construction costs, with funds available until project completion. The bill aims to create a multigenerational community space that fosters engagement and provides youth leadership opportunities.

Maddy summarySF 1575 establishes Minnesota's Biofertilizer Water Preservation Program to improve water quality by incentivizing farmers to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use. The program provides qualifying farmers with annual payments of at least $5 per acre for verified reductions of 15% or 30 pounds of commercial nitrogen fertilizer per acre (whichever is less) when using approved biofertilizers like soil amendments or nitrogen-fixing products. The commissioner of agriculture must develop the program, determine qualifying products, and administer the $5 million in fiscal year 2026 funding appropriated for this purpose. Farmers must submit crop nutrient management plans showing reduced fertilizer use to participate, with the program requiring biennial reviews to adjust reduction targets and expand eligible products.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.6 million annually for 2026-2027 to fund neighborhood partnership grants under Minnesota Statutes §124D.99. It specifically allocates $1.3 million each year to the Northside Achievement Zone and St. Paul Promise Neighborhood, plus $1.4 million for regional programs like the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative and Rochester Area Foundation. The bill also includes a one-time $900,000 appropriation for regional partnerships and emerging grants to support new initiatives serving historically underserved students. All funding is designated for specific existing or planned community programs, with no new policy changes created.

Maddy summarySF 1840 establishes a grant program to support Minnesota agricultural retailers in promoting 4R nutrient management practices (right source, rate, time, and place) to farmers. It provides $5,000 grants to retailers upon certification under the 4R program and up to 50 cents per acre for implementing approved practices like soil testing, cover crops, precision fertilizer application, and nutrient planning. The bill appropriates funds for fiscal years 2026-2027, with grants administered by the Commissioner of Agriculture, and includes strict data privacy protections for farm-specific information. This directly affects licensed agricultural retailers and farmers adopting these nutrient management techniques.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.866 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to address nitrate contamination in private drinking water wells. It directly affects homeowners in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona counties whose wells exceed the 10 mg/L nitrate safety limit. The funds cover reverse osmosis systems, well repairs, and reconstruction, prioritizing low-income households (at or below 300% of federal poverty guidelines) and households with infants or pregnant individuals. Administrative costs up to 6.5% of the appropriation are also permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to support the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie organization. The funds will be administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center Board of Directors to provide programming that celebrates traditional food through culinary arts, storytelling, and cultural sharing. The initiative aims to educate communities about cultural history and traditions. This is a funding measure for an existing cultural organization, not a policy change affecting broader legislation.