Sen. Andrew Lang

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.75 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2027 for matching grants to public television stations, $350,000 for equipment grants, and $1 million for block grants. The commissioner of administration must consider recommendations from the Minnesota Public Television Association when distributing these funds. The grants directly support public television stations across Minnesota under existing law (Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.13).

Maddy summarySF 280 would allow most Minnesotans without legal firearm prohibitions to carry handguns openly in public without a permit, effective immediately. It also creates an optional state-issued permit for those who prefer one, requiring applicants to be 21+, complete firearm safety training, pass background checks (excluding specific prohibitions like violent offenses), and submit a standardized application. The law defines "public place" broadly to include most public areas but explicitly excludes private homes, businesses owned by the applicant, gun shops, and hunting areas. This replaces Minnesota's current permit requirement with a "right to carry" framework while maintaining background checks for the optional permit.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a tax deduction for overtime pay in Minnesota's individual income tax code. It allows taxpayers to subtract the amount of overtime pay they earned from their taxable income, directly affecting Minnesota residents who receive overtime compensation. The deduction covers wages, salaries, tips, and other compensation for hours worked beyond standard limits under state or federal law. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This is a straightforward tax policy adjustment with no new requirements or program funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates the University of Minnesota Army ROTC on their first-place victory at the 2025 Sandhurst Military Skills Competition. The bill recognizes the historic achievement of the Golden Gopher Battalion, which became the highest-achieving ROTC team in the program's history by winning the global competition held at West Point. It specifically honors the leadership of Captain Jamieson Barnes, Master Sergeant Ivan Krestyn, and Cadet Charles Frattalone for their distinguished performance. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the document and send it to the university as a gesture of state appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota state agencies, local governments, and private entities from using aircraft location data collected through ADS-B (aviation surveillance technology) to calculate, generate, or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators. It directly affects aircraft owners/operators and any entity that might charge fees based on flight data. The law amends Minnesota Statutes to explicitly ban this use of ADS-B information, making it illegal to leverage this aviation tracking data for fee purposes. The prohibition applies to all fees related to aircraft operating in Minnesota airspace.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the requirement for a license to sell scrap metal copper (previously under Minnesota Statutes §325E.21, subd. 2c) and modifies record-keeping rules for scrap metal dealers. It requires dealers to document transactions involving copper metal, including verifying sellers have a copper license (though the license itself is being eliminated). The bill directly affects scrap metal dealers who purchase copper scrap, mandating detailed transaction records like seller ID, vehicle details, and proof of copper license status. Key provisions include adding new record requirements (e.g., photocopy of license for copper sales) and updating inspection protocols for law enforcement. The bill does not create new licensing but adjusts administrative processes for copper scrap transactions.

Maddy summarySF 2865 appropriates $23,000 from four dedicated legacy funds ($7,000 from outdoor heritage, $7,000 from clean water, $5,000 from arts and cultural heritage, and $4,000 from parks and trails) to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for maintaining Minnesota's required legacy funding website under Minnesota Statutes § 3.303, subd. 10. This bill directly affects the Legislative Coordinating Commission, which administers the website, and ensures public access to information about how legacy funds are allocated. The funds are specifically designated from existing legacy trust funds, with no new tax or spending authority created. This is a procedural appropriations bill focused solely on website maintenance costs.

Maddy summaryHF 854 designates a specific segment of Trunk Highway 23 in Kandiyohi County as the "Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway" in honor of Sergeant Joshua Schmidt. The bill specifies the exact location: from U.S. Highway 71 north of Willmar to Lake Avenue South in Spicer. It requires the state transportation commissioner to adopt a suitable design and erect appropriate signs for the memorial designation, per Minnesota Statutes. This is a ceremonial highway naming bill with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summarySF 2523 modifies Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) rules to improve retirement benefits for educators. It allows teachers to retire without penalty at age 60 with 30 years of service, adjusts early retirement reductions, and removes delays for postretirement adjustments. The bill increases employer contributions to the TRA fund (from 13.3% to 17.3% for most members by 2026) and raises school district pension adjustment rates (from 1.05% to 2.05% by 2026). These changes directly affect public school teachers in the TRA system, school districts funding retirement, and the state budget through new appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the city of Little Falls to support the "Dreams Take Flight" celebration. The event commemorates 100 years since Charles Lindbergh (a Minnesota native) completed the first solo transatlantic flight. The funds will directly support the city's planning and execution of this historical aviation-themed celebration. The bill contains no policy changes - only a specific funding allocation for a commemorative event.