Sen. Gary Dahms

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's grain indemnity account rules to prevent funds from being moved out of the account unless it holds over $15 million. It directly affects the state agency managing grain indemnity payments by requiring a minimum balance before any transfers can occur. The bill clarifies existing uses of the account, including paying valid claims, premium refunds, and administrative costs like processing fees and record keeping. It does not create new programs but sets a specific threshold to ensure sufficient funds remain in the account for ongoing operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $84 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new campus center at the University of Minnesota Saint Paul campus. The funds will cover predesign, construction, renovation, and related infrastructure work, including site preparation and utility upgrades. The University of Minnesota must cover the remaining one-third of project costs using its own resources. The state will issue bonds up to $84 million to provide this funding, as authorized under Minnesota law.

Maddy summarySF 3966 appropriates $100 million from state bond proceeds to fund the University of Minnesota's Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) program. The bill authorizes the state to sell up to $100 million in bonds to cover this funding, directly affecting the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, which will manage the infrastructure projects. Key provisions include using bond funds for preserving and replacing campus assets under Minnesota Statutes §135A.046, with the bond sale following state bond procedures. This is a funding mechanism for campus infrastructure upgrades, not a new policy affecting broader public programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Minnesota's agriculture special license plates to include "farm trucks" in addition to existing vehicle types like passenger cars, one-ton pickup trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. It directly affects Minnesota farmers who operate farm trucks by allowing them to display these plates, which require a $20 annual contribution to the Minnesota agriculture account. The key change modifies statute 168.1285 to add "farm truck" to the list of qualifying vehicles under the plate issuance rules. All other requirements - such as registration fees, tax payments, and the $20 annual contribution - remain unchanged. The bill does not alter the plate design, fees, or funding mechanisms, only broadening the vehicle classes eligible for the special plates.

Maddy summarySF 3545 modifies Minnesota's liquor licensing laws to allow specific municipalities to issue licenses to certain venues and entities. It authorizes St. Paul to grant on-sale liquor licenses to the Fitzgerald Theatre, Science Museum of Minnesota, and Union Depot without usual zoning restrictions. The bill also updates requirements for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, allowing licenses for Northrop Auditorium, football stadiums (including TCF Huntington Bank Stadium), and up to seven other campus locations, with conditions requiring public sales through halftime during football games. These changes directly affect the University of Minnesota, St. Paul venues, state recreation facilities, and the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50 million from state bond proceeds to the Rural Finance Authority to fund specific agricultural loan programs for Minnesota farmers. It directly affects beginning farmers, livestock producers, and farm businesses participating in programs like the Beginning Farmer Program, Agricultural Improvement Loans, and Livestock Expansion Loans under Minnesota Statutes §41B.039-.045. The key mechanism involves issuing up to $50.05 million in state bonds (including $50,000 for bond sale costs), with priority given to beginning farmer loans first, followed by seller-sponsored and agricultural improvement loans. All debt service on these bonds must be repaid by the Rural Finance Authority per statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the city of Marshall to issue a special on-sale liquor license to Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) for wine and malt liquor sales. The license specifically permits sales at the Schwan Regional Event Center and Recreation/Athletic Facility during events, following standard hours and days of sale under Minnesota law. It permits the license to cover non-contiguous campus spaces as long as all locations are within SMSU's campus boundaries. The bill modifies existing liquor licensing rules to enable this special authorization for SMSU's campus venues.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies licensing requirements for crisis nurseries in Minnesota, which provide short-term care for children when caregivers face emergencies. It specifically allows current crisis nurseries licensed under Chapter 245A (as children's residential facilities) to continue operating even if exempt from standard Chapter 142B licensing. The bill requires the commissioner of children, youth, and families to develop a new licensing framework for crisis nurseries by January 2027, including background checks and training standards, and submit a report to the legislature. This exemption expires on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $808,000 from the general fund for the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Redwood County to fund the predesign and design work for a Dakota language immersion public charter school serving birth through grade 4. The funds are a one-time allocation for planning and design only, not construction, and must be used within fiscal year 2027. The school will be a public charter school under Minnesota law, directly affecting the Lower Sioux Indian Community and students in the targeted age range.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows surviving spouses in Minnesota to use their deceased spouse's unused federal estate tax exclusion amount when calculating Minnesota estate taxes. It requires personal representatives to elect this portability on the estate tax return (or file a return if not otherwise required), making the election irrevocable. The provision applies to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2024, and directly affects surviving spouses who may reduce their estate tax liability by claiming this unused exclusion. The law amends Minnesota's estate tax statutes to align with federal portability rules.