Sen. Gary Dahms

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the commissioner of management and budget to transfer $70 million from Minnesota's family and medical benefit insurance account to the state's general fund on June 30, 2026. The legislation affects the state's financial management by reallocating funds that were previously set aside for paid family and medical leave benefits. The transfer is a one-time action that would reduce the balance available in the paid leave insurance account while increasing funds in the general fund. The bill takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the start date for several rules about Medicare supplement insurance in Minnesota from August 1, 2026, to August 1, 2028. The changes apply to nine specific sections of existing state insurance laws that were originally set to take effect in 2026. Insurance companies and consumers who purchase Medicare supplement plans will be affected by this delay in when the new requirements begin. The bill does not alter the actual content of the insurance rules, only postpones when they become active. The act itself becomes effective on July 1, 2026, giving time for the insurance industry to prepare for the later implementation date.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts a specific nursing home in Belview, Minnesota from certain assisted living facility design requirements if it applies to convert to an assisted living facility. The exemption applies only to facilities owned by the municipality of Belview that are already licensed as nursing homes and must be submitted by December 31, 2026. The law does not apply to new construction projects, meaning existing facilities can use this exemption while new buildings must still meet standard design requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the legal definition of "prepared food" in Minnesota to clarify which food items are subject to sales tax. It directly affects food sellers and consumers by establishing specific criteria for what counts as prepared food, including items sold with utensils or heated by the seller. The new definition excludes certain categories like bakery items, unheated meat and seafood sold by weight, raw animal foods requiring consumer cooking, and food only sliced or repackaged by the seller. The changes will take effect for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the City of Mountain Lake to extend the timeline for completing projects in its Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-8. It changes the requirement that development activities must occur within five years to instead allow a three-year period ending April 1, 2029. The legislation also extends the timeframe for using tax increment funds after the five-year period from the 11th year to the 14th year. These changes apply specifically to the city's economic development authority and its designated TIF district.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Brainerd to issue an on-sale liquor license to the Northern Pacific Center, an event venue located at 1511 Northern Pacific Road. The license would permit alcohol sales to event attendees on all days of the week and allows for sales in a space that is not compact and contiguous, provided the premises are described in the approved license. The legislation applies only to the specific event center and does not change existing liquor laws for other businesses. It becomes effective once the Brainerd City Council approves it and the state compliance requirements are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Transactional Gold and Silver Act in Minnesota, which would recognize gold and silver bullion as legal tender for private transactions and state obligations if the state agrees to accept it. The legislation requires the commissioner of commerce to authorize a bullion depository that stores physical gold and silver, operates an electronic payment system backed by actual metal reserves, and allows account holders to buy, sell, save, or spend these metals. While gold and silver would be recognized as legal tender, the bill explicitly states that individuals and businesses are not required to accept them as payment. The commissioner must also create rules for depository operations and submit a report on the implementation of the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new $10 million facilities grant program for cooperative units in Minnesota that provide special education or career and technical education services. The program will allocate funds to eligible cooperative units for construction, renovation, or other facility-related purposes authorized under existing state education finance statutes. Each grant award is capped at $2 million, and the bill appropriates the funding from the state's general fund for the 2027 fiscal year. The legislation also sets aside a portion of the appropriation for administrative costs related to managing the grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota insurance regulations to give health carriers more flexibility in discontinuing and modifying individual health plans. It allows carriers to stop offering specific plans with fewer restrictions, requiring only written notice to the state commissioner and policyholders instead of prior approval, except for larger or certain plan types. The legislation also creates an exemption that permits carriers to make uniform changes to coverage across all policyholders without needing to justify each change individually. These changes directly affect health insurance companies and individual policyholders in Minnesota by altering how plans can be ended or adjusted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce to apply for a federal waiver to continue the state's premium security plan, which allows the state to collect additional funds from health insurance premiums to support the state's health insurance program. The application must be submitted by December 31, 2026, and must state that the plan's operation beyond 2027 depends on receiving federal approval. The commissioner must also notify relevant legislative committee chairs and the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association about the application and any federal decisions. This provision ensures the state can maintain its current health insurance funding structure while seeking continued federal permission to operate it.