Sen. Aric Putnam

Maddy summarySF 1724 modifies Minnesota's sales tax rules for construction materials used by specific public and nonprofit entities. It adds new exemptions for contractors purchasing materials for projects involving schools, local governments, hospitals, nursing homes, public libraries, and certain nonprofits. Instead of receiving immediate tax exemption, contractors pay the full sales tax upfront and then apply for a refund under revised Section 297A.75. The bill takes effect for sales after June 30, 2025, streamlining tax treatment for qualifying construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Minnesota's HELP (Higher Education Loan Program) to provide low-interest student loans to eligible residents. It directly affects Minnesota residents attending public or nonprofit Minnesota colleges who earn under 300% of the federal poverty line, offering loans up to $5,000 annually (with a $20,000 lifetime limit) at a maximum 3% fixed interest rate. The program is funded by $17.5 million annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2026-2027, with repayments recycled into a dedicated account to sustain the program. It requires the Office of Higher Education to administer the loans, including contracting for servicing.

Maddy summarySF 1664 appropriates $500,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the commissioner of administration for a grant to Haven for Heroes. The funds will directly support planning and designing a museum chronicling Anoka State Hospital's history and mental health care history, plus preserving the historic auditorium on the Anoka State Hospital campus. This bill affects Haven for Heroes (as the grant recipient) and the Anoka State Hospital campus (as the project site). The appropriation is specifically for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summarySF 864 requires third-party delivery services (like food delivery apps) to obtain a specific license to deliver alcoholic beverages in Minnesota. The bill directly affects companies currently delivering alcohol without this license, mandating they pay a $500 annual fee, verify delivery recipients are at least 21 years old, and use employees/contractors aged 21+ who complete alcohol awareness training. License holders must also maintain liquor liability insurance and provide proof of training to the state upon request. These provisions aim to regulate third-party alcohol delivery through standardized licensing, training, and age verification processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.5 million from Minnesota's renewable development account for the city of St. Cloud to fund its Green Hydrogen Project. The funds are specifically designated for incorporating a battery and renewable energy system into the project, with no further funding requested. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, directly affecting the city of St. Cloud's energy infrastructure development. The bill does not create new policy but provides targeted funding for a specific local project.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6.425 million for fiscal year 2026 and another $6.425 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's Small Business Assistance Partnerships Program. The funds will provide two-year grants to small businesses through partnerships with economic development organizations, as authorized under Minnesota Statutes section 116J.682. Up to 5% of the total appropriation may be used for administrative costs by the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The program directly assists small businesses seeking economic development support through these partnership grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's definition of "sustainable aviation fuel" in statute. It specifies that the fuel must achieve at least a 50% reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel, using either the Argonne National Laboratory's GREET model or the International Civil Aviation Organization's methodology. The definition explicitly excludes fuel derived from palm fatty acid distillates and lists acceptable feedstocks like biomass, captured carbon, and green hydrogen. This definition directly affects producers and blenders of sustainable aviation fuel who qualify for tax benefits under Minnesota law.

Maddy summarySF 1512 allocates $20 million from the general fund to the housing development fund and another $20 million to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for its workforce housing development program in fiscal year 2026. This one-time funding supports the development of affordable housing targeted at working households, directly benefiting eligible developers and residents through the agency's established program. The bill specifies the exact funding amounts and transfer mechanisms without creating new regulations or eligibility criteria. It focuses solely on providing financial resources for existing workforce housing initiatives under Minnesota Statutes section 462A.39.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200 million from state bonds to fund the University of Minnesota's Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) program. The funds will be used by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents to preserve and replace campus infrastructure, such as buildings and equipment. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds up to $200 million to cover this appropriation, as specified in Minnesota law. It directly affects the University of Minnesota's capital planning and infrastructure management.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of a community center in the city of St. Joseph. It authorizes the state to sell bonds up to $10 million to cover this cost, following standard state bond procedures. The funds will be provided as a grant to the city of St. Joseph through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The bill directly affects the city of St. Joseph by enabling the development of a new community center facility.