Sen. Aric Putnam

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $450,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the workforce development fund to three specific organizations: Ambassadors of Culture, Hooyo Hour, and United Way of Central Minnesota. The funding supports collaborative workforce development services targeting young adults, immigrant mothers, and East African youth through job training, coaching, and employer engagement. Each organization receives $150,000 annually for these services, which aim to improve skills and employment opportunities. The bill is a one-time funding allocation for these designated community-focused programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special license plates for ice fishing in Minnesota. It allows registered owners of qualifying vehicles (passenger cars, noncommercial pickups, motorcycles, or RVs) to apply for these plates by paying standard registration fees plus a special fee and a mandatory contribution to the Keep It Clean account. The plates can be transferred between the owner's qualifying vehicles for a $5 fee. All contributions collected under this bill are deposited into the Keep It Clean account, with funds first covering administrative costs and then supporting waste reduction efforts on ice through Keep It Clean MN. The program begins January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $600,000 from the workforce development fund for fiscal year 2026 to OneCommunity Alliance. The funds will support a program launching in 2025 to provide workforce training, career readiness, job placement, and ongoing support to job seekers in Central Minnesota's manufacturing, food production, agriculture, and healthcare sectors. It specifically targets unemployed and underemployed residents, recent graduates struggling to find work, and individuals seeking career transitions. This is a one-time appropriation with no ongoing funding commitment.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,090,000 annually from the general fund for grants to museums and education centers in Minnesota for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly funds 13 specific museums, including The Works (Bloomington), WonderTrek Children's Museum (Brainerd-Baxter), Duluth Children's Museum, and others, with designated annual amounts ranging from $75,000 to $125,000 per institution. Unused funds from 2026 automatically carry over to 2027, and the base appropriation amount remains $1,090,000 for fiscal year 2028 and beyond. The bill establishes a fixed funding mechanism without altering eligibility criteria or program requirements.

Maddy summarySF 360 modifies Minnesota's high school mathematics requirements by requiring grade 8 standards to include algebra, geometry, and statistics as preparation for the three required math credits in grades 9-12. It specifies that students must earn three math credits meeting statewide academic standards, as determined by their local school district. This bill directly affects all Minnesota public high school students and school districts, updating curriculum expectations for math education and graduation requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterans benefit service providers (who charge fees) to be federally accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and to provide written fee agreements complying with federal rules. It prohibits providers from guaranteeing specific benefits (like exact payment amounts or approval rates) to veterans or their families. Providers must also give clients a written disclosure statement explaining free services available through county veterans service officers before charging fees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense, with fines deposited into a "Support Our Troops" account.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies tax rates for charitable organizations that operate gambling activities like bingo, raffles, and paddlewheels. It adjusts the tax brackets (e.g., raising the threshold from $87,500 to $100,000 for the lowest rate) and lowers some tax rates, such as reducing the rate on income between $122,500 and $200,000 from 25% to 20%. It also adds an exemption for revenue from sports-themed tipboards, where winning numbers are based on professional sports outcomes. The changes apply to charitable organizations' combined net gambling receipts and take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends two key deadlines for St. Cloud's Cooper Avenue Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing District. It pushes back the five-year deadline for completing development activities (to April 30, 2031) and the four-year deadline for demolition/rehabilitation (to April 30, 2030). The extension directly affects the city's ability to use future tax growth to fund redevelopment projects in that specific district. The bill modifies existing state rules without creating new policy, solely adjusting timeframes for this one project.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1428 expands eligibility for the state's beginning farmer tax credits by removing restrictions related to family relationships with landowners. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 41B.0391 to revise the definition of "beginning farmer," eliminating provisions that previously barred individuals from qualifying if they or their spouse were family members of the owner of agricultural assets they sought to rent or purchase. This change directly affects new or early-career farmers in Minnesota who were previously disqualified due to familial ties with landowners, allowing more individuals to access the tax credits. The policy change focuses on broadening participation in the program without altering other eligibility requirements like net worth limits or farming experience standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $250,000 for fiscal year 2027. The funds are directed to the Minnesota Humanities Center Board of Directors to provide a grant to the Minnesota Urban Debate League. The grant will support improved professional development for staff and expand debate services to more youth in urban areas across Minnesota. This directly affects the Minnesota Urban Debate League and the young people it serves through expanded program access.