Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen

Maddy summaryThis bill revokes specific rule changes to Minnesota's teaching standards that were previously published in the State Register (volume 47, page 988). It directly affects educators and school districts in Minnesota by reinstating the prior teaching standards of effective practice. The key mechanism is a simple declaration that the amendments to Minnesota Rules, part 8710.2000, are void and do not take effect. The bill makes no new policy provisions, only reversing a prior administrative rule change. It is effective the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health plans from removing a drug from their formulary or moving it to a higher-cost tier during a plan year for enrollees who were previously prescribed that drug. It directly affects Minnesota health plan enrollees taking specific medications throughout their coverage year. Exceptions allow changes if the FDA deems a drug unsafe, withdraws it, or if evidence shows imminent patient harm. Health plans may switch to lower-cost generic/biosimilar drugs with 60 days' notice to prescribers and enrollees. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2402) requires Minnesota public school districts to provide instruction in grades 9-12 that contrasts scientific explanations of sickness, disease, pain, suffering, and death in complex living organisms with the view that these are consequences imposed by the Creator. It directly affects high school students and school districts across Minnesota, mandating specific curriculum content starting July 1, 2025. The key provision (Section 1 of proposed Minnesota Statutes §120B.028) directs schools to explore this contrast as part of advancing critical thinking skills in history and science courses. The bill does not specify teaching methods or additional resources, only the required content focus.

Maddy summaryThis bill forgives a penalty that withheld the City of Stewart's 2023 local government aid payment. It requires the state auditor to certify the city submitted its 2022 financial report by June 1, 2025, before the commissioner of revenue pays $87,501.50 to Stewart by June 30, 2025. The payment is funded by a one-time $87,501.50 appropriation from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025. The bill directly affects the City of Stewart by restoring a withheld aid payment tied to a specific reporting deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's transportation project assessment rules to align with new greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) targets. It requires transportation entities to assess projects against statewide emissions and VMT reduction goals before inclusion in improvement programs, directly affecting state and regional transportation agencies. If projects fail to meet targets, agencies must either modify the project, interlink sufficient mitigation activities (like transit expansions or active transportation infrastructure), or halt development. The bill also sets a 2027 effective date for shifting to portfolio-level assessments instead of project-by-project reviews.

Maddy summarySF 489 removes burial fees for spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 190.19 (relating to Department of Veterans Affairs funding) and 197.236 (regarding burial fees) to prohibit charging these fees. Currently, families paid fees for interment, but this bill eliminates that cost entirely for qualifying spouses and dependents. The change directly affects veterans' families seeking burial in state cemeteries, removing a financial barrier. The bill does not affect burial fees for veterans themselves, as those are already prohibited under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) through a competitive procurement process and enter into a master contract with that PBM. It directly affects medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, as well as health plans and county-based purchasing organizations that provide their coverage. Key provisions include prohibiting the PBM from requiring specialty drugs from affiliated pharmacies, mandating full disclosure of conflicts of interest during selection, and requiring the PBM to process all pharmacy claims under managed care contracts. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to establish these requirements and ensures the PBM operates with transparency for state healthcare programs.

Maddy summarySF 2251 appropriates $419,000 from state bond proceeds to connect Dassel-Cokato Middle and High School to the city of Cokato's water supply system. The bill funds the design, construction, and equipment for a water main extension from Cokato's existing system to the school campus, ensuring safe drinking water and improved fire suppression capabilities. This project directly benefits the school and the city of Cokato, with funding authorized through the sale of state bonds under Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summarySF 1260 would remove a legal prohibition preventing Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission from issuing certificates of need for new nuclear power plants. This amendment to Minnesota Statutes 216B.243 would allow the commission to approve such projects if they meet regulatory standards. The bill directly affects energy companies seeking to build new nuclear facilities and the commission responsible for reviewing these applications. It specifically targets the barrier to new construction without altering other nuclear power regulations.

Maddy summarySF 749 exempts all school supplies from Minnesota's sales tax, effective after June 30, 2025. It directly affects students, families, and schools by removing sales tax on items like notebooks, pencils, binders, calculators, and book bags priced under $60. The bill defines "school supplies" broadly to include common classroom items but excludes non-school items like stationery, wrapping paper, or hiking backpacks. This change simplifies tax treatment for these purchases, ensuring no sales tax applies to qualifying items at the point of sale.