Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen

Maddy summarySF 708 prohibits Minnesotans convicted of crimes related to protests, demonstrations, rallies, civil unrest, or marches from receiving state assistance. The bill makes such individuals ineligible for state loans, grants, or aid programs including college financial aid, housing assistance, food benefits (SNAP), unemployment benefits, business grants, and medical assistance. It applies to crimes committed on or after the effective date (the day after final enactment) and covers all state assistance programs listed in the bill. The law directly affects people convicted of offenses during these events, not protesters generally. This is a policy change to deny state aid based on specific criminal convictions related to public assemblies.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new tax subtraction for overtime pay in Minnesota's individual income tax code. It allows workers to subtract overtime earnings (wages, salaries, tips, or other compensation for hours over 40 in a workweek) from their taxable income. The provision directly affects Minnesota residents who earn overtime pay under state or federal wage laws. It becomes effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2024, reducing the taxable income for qualifying workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a "vaccine recipient bill of rights" in Minnesota, protecting individuals' rights to make informed decisions about vaccines without coercion. It requires health care providers to disclose the specific vaccine being administered and provide independent, non-manufacturer information about the vaccine to recipients. The bill also prohibits private businesses from mandating vaccines (unless required by other law), bans requiring experimental vaccines, and ensures seniors over 65 can consult an independent medical advocate before vaccination. Additionally, health care providers must educate recipients about the federal vaccine adverse events reporting system.

Maddy summarySF 76 clarifies and codifies Minnesota's self-defense laws, directly affecting residents who use force in defense of their home, person, or vehicle. The bill eliminates the requirement to retreat when facing a threat outside one's home, expands the definition of "dwelling" to include occupied vehicles and temporary living spaces like tents, and creates a presumption that a person using force in their dwelling or vehicle had a reasonable fear of imminent harm. It specifies that deadly force is justified to prevent a felony in one's dwelling, stop an immediate threat of serious harm or death, or stop a forcible felony. These changes apply to all Minnesotans using force in self-defense situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Minnesota law to include all hydroelectric power - regardless of size - as an "eligible energy technology" for renewable energy programs. It removes the current limit that only allowed hydroelectric projects under 100 megawatts (or those operating since 2023) to qualify. This directly affects electric utilities in Minnesota that participate in renewable energy initiatives, as it expands the types of hydroelectric facilities they can count toward program requirements. The change applies to existing statutory definitions without creating new funding or requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's custody and parenting time laws by establishing a rebuttable presumption that joint legal and physical custody is in a child's best interest, unless domestic abuse has occurred between parents. The law requires courts to assume joint custody is appropriate unless evidence shows domestic abuse (as defined in section 518B.01) that affects the child's safety. It does not change the list of factors courts must consider but shifts the default presumption toward joint custody arrangements. The bill directly affects parents involved in custody disputes and judges making custody determinations under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4,037,000 from the state transportation fund to extend Sibley County Road 166 (Freedom Drive) in Arlington, Minnesota. The funds will cover design, environmental work, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and utility improvements for the road extension from County Highway 17 to Highway 5. The state will issue bonds up to the full amount to finance these costs, as authorized under Minnesota law. The direct beneficiaries are the city of Arlington and Sibley County for their local infrastructure project.

Maddy summarySF 587 amends Minnesota's tax code to allow individuals to subtract gratuities (tips) received from employees when calculating their taxable income. This change directly affects Minnesota residents who earn tips as part of their income, such as servers or bartenders. The bill adds a new provision (subdivision 36) to Minnesota Statutes section 290.0132, defining "gratuities" per existing law and specifying they are deductible. The policy takes effect for taxable years starting after December 31, 2024. This is a concrete tax code adjustment, not a procedural change.

Maddy summarySF 701 requires Minnesota electric utilities to obtain written consent from property owners before installing "smart meter gateway devices" on homes or businesses. These devices, defined as systems that control or monitor home appliances via the meter, cannot be installed without explicit owner agreement. Utilities must provide a clear, 12-point bold consent form stating the option is voluntary and explaining the device's function. Additionally, utilities must disclose if such devices are already installed and allow removal upon written request.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $6.4 million in bonds to fund a climate-controlled vehicle and equipment storage and fueling facility at the Hutchinson Area Transportation Services facility in Hutchinson. The funds would be appropriated to McLeod County or the city of Hutchinson (or both) to cover predesign, construction, and equipment costs for the facility. The bill's key mechanism is the bond issuance process under Minnesota law, with funds drawn from the bond proceeds fund. It directly affects local government entities responsible for the transportation facility's development. (Note: "Tempered" in the title appears to refer to climate-controlled storage, as "tempered" is not standard terminology for vehicle storage facilities.)