Sen. Aric Putnam

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the default allowance for living and miscellaneous expenses in Minnesota's state grant program, replacing the current calculation based on federal poverty guidelines with a new standard. It also creates the "State Grant Plus" scholarship, providing eligible students with 25% of their regular state grant award (up to a maximum of eight semesters for a bachelor's degree) to supplement their financial aid. The scholarship is available to students already receiving state grants who attend eligible Minnesota colleges and are not receiving North Star Promise funding. The bill requires the Office of Higher Education to administer these programs, establish working groups, and submit reports on implementation.

Maddy summarySF 2516 appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to support medical residency programs at CentraCare's Rice Memorial Hospital and St. Cloud Hospital. The funds must cover costs for establishing, operating, and maintaining these residency programs, including administration, curriculum development, resident recruitment, training, and stipends. This bill directly affects CentraCare's hospitals in St. Cloud by providing state funding to expand or sustain their medical training programs. It does not change existing laws but allocates specific state funds for these healthcare workforce development activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Commerce to establish a low-cost motor vehicle insurance program (the "Minnesota Lifeline Insurance Program") for low-income residents who meet specific eligibility criteria. The program would be operated by a designated state facility, which must set rates covering claims, administrative costs, and investment income using actual program data or adjusted statewide insurance data. The facility must create a website for applications and online policy sales, with rates allowing up to six payment installments and regional adjustments (capped at 25% higher than other regions). The program mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing enrollment, marketing efforts, and expenditures.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's workforce development scholarship program to increase the maximum lifetime award from $7,500 to $8,500 per student. It provides up to $2,500 annually for credit-based programs at two-year colleges, $3,500 for four-year universities, and $1,500 for noncredit programs leading to industry certifications. The scholarship directly affects Minnesota students enrolled in high-demand fields like healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, or region-specific programs identified through job vacancy data. Key provisions include flexible funding for materials, certifications, and stackable credentials, with preference given to students in financial need.

Maddy summarySF 2312 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for a one-time pilot program to support survivors of sex trafficking and domestic abuse in finding employment. The funds will go to Avivo, a nonprofit, to provide direct services like childcare, transportation, housing, legal aid, interview clothing, technology, and internet access statewide. The program also includes public outreach and corporate training to help employers understand the challenges survivors face when reentering the workforce. This pilot specifically continues work in the greater St. Cloud area and is limited to fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2340) modifies Minnesota school funding formulas to adjust local revenue limits for school districts. It increases the first-tier local optional revenue from $300 to $400 per adjusted pupil unit starting in fiscal year 2027, while reducing referendum allowances by $424 for 2027 and later (and an additional $100 for 2026 calculations). The bill also updates maximum levy limits for second-tier revenue based on district-specific market values, with specific dollar thresholds for each fiscal year (e.g., $671,345 for 2027+). It includes appropriations for the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026-2027. These changes directly affect all Minnesota public school districts in calculating their local funding capacity.

Maddy summarySF 830 appropriates $2.2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2.2 million for fiscal year 2027 to fund a statewide housing mediation program administered by Community Mediation Minnesota. The program provides dispute resolution services to renters and residential property owners, focusing on eviction prevention, mediation, and navigation assistance. It specifically aims to increase access for seniors, renters with disabilities, and culturally diverse communities while partnering with culturally specific organizations. The funds also support staff training, expanding mediator diversity, and connecting participants with legal and court resources.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota Senate resolution (SF 2335) requests Congress to propose a constitutional amendment reversing the Supreme Court's *Citizens United v. FEC* decision, which treated corporate spending in elections as protected speech. It asks Congress to clarify that constitutional rights apply only to natural persons (not corporations or other artificial entities) and to allow government to regulate campaign spending to ensure equal political access for all citizens. The resolution specifically proposes constitutional language requiring public disclosure of all campaign contributions and expenditures and permitting restrictions on spending to prevent wealth-based influence in elections. As a non-binding request, it directly addresses Congress and aims to reshape federal campaign finance rules without creating new state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to Wallin Education Partners to support college admission and graduation programs for low-income Minnesota students attending Minnesota colleges or universities. The funds will cover financial aid assistance, academic advising, and career development services. Wallin must report annually by February 1 to legislative committees, detailing student demographics, schools attended, and geographic distribution. The program directly affects low-income Minnesota residents pursuing higher education within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $3.15 million grant program to support training for court reporters and closed captioners (real-time stenographic writers) at Minnesota colleges and universities. It allocates $300,000 annually to two institutions - one in the seven-county metro area and one outside it - to expand training programs and job placement. Grants require institutions to report on program effectiveness and must fund direct training (not AI or digital recording), with scholarship recipients agreeing to work in the field for six months per semester received. The funding is available through 2029 to address workforce needs in transcription services.