Sen. Andrew Lang

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's public land survey system monument grant program by changing how counties and tribal governments are prioritized for funding. It establishes new criteria favoring applicants demonstrating financial need and meeting one of three conditions: preserving monuments at risk of destruction, having low certified monument corners, or showing remonumentation supports economic development. The bill appropriates $10 million for fiscal year 2026 (with $10 million annually for 2027-2028) to fund these grants, plus $350,000 yearly for program administration. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes and appropriates funds to pay deputy registrars for processing vehicle registration transactions where no fee is charged. It requires the state to distribute $9 per no-fee renewal and $13 per other no-fee transaction (like corrections) to deputy registrars quarterly. The funds come from the driver and vehicle services operating account, covering transactions where fees were waived due to errors or refunds. This directly affects local deputy registrars who handle vehicle registrations without charging standard fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the legal requirement to retreat when using force in self-defense outside one's home in Minnesota. It expands the definition of "dwelling" to include temporary living spaces like tents, porches, and mobile homes, and creates a legal presumption that someone acting in self-defense was justified. The changes apply to force used on or after August 1, 2025, and directly affect Minnesotans defending themselves in non-residential settings. The bill clarifies that reasonable force may be used without retreat when a person reasonably believes it's necessary to prevent imminent harm.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Minnesota's deer hunting rules by allowing straight-wall cartridge ammunition to be used statewide for taking deer, rather than only in the current "shotgun use area" defined by specific boundary lines. It directly affects deer hunters across Minnesota who use this type of ammunition. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 97B.318 to remove the geographic restriction, making straight-wall cartridges legal everywhere in the state during the regular firearms deer season. This is a specific policy change to the existing hunting regulations, not a new rule.

Maddy summarySF 1164 creates a new "full-service provider account" to receive specific fees from vehicle transactions. It modifies how $8 vehicle registration renewal fees and $12 transaction fees are distributed, directing portions to this new account (e.g., $4.00 per renewal fee and $4.25 per other transaction fee). The bill also adds a $5 surcharge on mail-in vehicle registration renewals, splitting $2.50 to the new provider account and $2.50 to the operating account. This affects vehicle owners paying fees, full-service providers (like dealerships), and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety managing fee collections. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1238 appropriates $9 million from state bond proceeds to fund a community wellness center in Olivia, Minnesota, designed and operated by Renville County. The center will offer services including nutrition counseling, movement programs, lifestyle coaching, and integrative therapies to residents. The bill authorizes the state to sell up to $9 million in bonds to cover the costs of designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping the facility under Minnesota Statutes. This funding directly supports Renville County’s efforts to provide accessible health and wellness resources in the city of Olivia.

Maddy summarySF 1027 modifies property tax exemptions for airport facilities in Minnesota. It creates a 50% reduction in taxable value for specific airport properties (like hangars and passenger areas) located in cities with populations between 50,000 and 150,000 that are not operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. This tax reduction applies to property taxes payable from 2026 through 2037. The bill directly affects airport operators and property owners in qualifying mid-sized cities by lowering their property tax burden for eligible facilities.

Maddy summarySF 887 appropriates $15 million from state bond proceeds to fund rehabilitation of railroad tracks between Winthrop and Hanley Falls for the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority. The funds cover track repairs, environmental work, bridge replacements, and federal matching requirements. The state would sell up to $15 million in bonds to finance this project, which is in addition to prior state appropriations for the same rail corridor. This bill directly affects the Rail Authority's ability to upgrade infrastructure on this specific segment of rail line.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025 to repair railroad track between Winthrop and Hanley Falls. The funds will cover track rehabilitation, environmental work, bridge replacement, and federal matching requirements for the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority. This one-time funding is in addition to previous state appropriations for the same project. It directly supports the rail authority's efforts to upgrade infrastructure on this specific corridor.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.3 million from state bond proceeds to fund the restoration of Redwood Falls' historic 1938 WPA Swayback Bridge (Bridge No. 89859). The funds will support the city of Redwood Falls in designing and constructing the restoration, specifically for preserving the bridge's granite and masonry exterior through repairs like stone replacement and tuckpointing. The state will issue up to $1.3 million in bonds to cover this cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The project directly affects Redwood Falls' infrastructure and historical preservation efforts.