Sen. John Jasinski

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) rules for public employees and retirees. It repeals additional employer retirement contributions once PERA's assets reach 98% of its financial obligations, effective after March 31 of the year following the actuarial report. It also increases postretirement cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees, capping annual increases at 1.5% unless federal Social Security adjustments exceed 2%, in which case COLAs would match 50% of that federal adjustment. These changes affect all current and future PERA members and retirees, with the COLA adjustments taking effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 3118 expands law enforcement's authorization to use tracking devices on vehicles that are fleeing police pursuit. It removes a legal restriction (previously in Minnesota Statutes 626A.35) that barred such tracking during vehicle chases. The bill specifically allows police to deploy these devices when pursuing vehicles that are "fleeing," as defined in another statute (609.487). This change directly affects police officers during active vehicle pursuit operations.

Maddy summarySF 3028 establishes special license plates for snowmobile owners in Minnesota. To obtain these plates, applicants must be registered owners of qualifying vehicles (like passenger cars or motorcycles), pay standard fees plus additional annual contributions to a snowmobile trails account, and meet other registration requirements. The funds collected under this bill are specifically appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources for developing, maintaining, and grooming snowmobile trails. This bill takes effect January 1, 2026, for new plates issued on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from state bonds to fund the construction of a new environmental multicultural visitors center and related outdoor improvements at Faribault's River Bend Nature Center. The funds will cover site preparation, design, building construction, trail enhancements, and public facilities for educational and visitor use. The city of Faribault will receive the grant from the commissioner of natural resources, with the state issuing bonds to finance the project under Minnesota's bond laws. The project directly serves Faribault residents and the general public who will use the new center and trails.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces annual safety assessments for railroads and pipelines from $4 million to $2.8 million per year. It changes how the assessment is split: railroads pay 70% of the total (based on route miles in Minnesota), while pipeline companies pay 30% (based on gallons of hazardous substances transported). The bill also requires companies involved in significant incidents to cover state/local costs for post-incident reviews. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to railroad and pipeline operators in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to create a cost-sharing program. It directly provides grants to Minnesota landowners for restoring or creating sustainable wetlands eligible for wetland banking under Minnesota Statutes sections 103G.222 and 103G.2251. Eligible activities include site assessments, engineering design/construction (including removing drainage systems), establishing vegetation, and costs for long-term easements. The program aims to support wetland restoration through direct financial assistance to landowners.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from bond proceeds and $11.5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026, plus $15 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027, to fund the Local Road Wetland Replacement Program. It directly affects local road projects that require wetland replacement under Minnesota Statutes §103G.222, as these projects often drain or fill wetlands during repairs or upgrades. The program enables the Board of Water and Soil Resources to purchase land/easements or acquire wetland replacement credits at fair market value to restore or preserve wetlands, using agreements with federal agencies, local governments, or nonprofits. The funds are specifically for offsetting wetland loss caused by public road maintenance activities, not for new road construction.

Maddy summarySF 1903 requires Minnesota driver education programs and the state driver's manual to include specific work zone safety information. It mandates that all new driver education courses teach safe speeds in work zones, proper driver duties when entering/exiting work zones, dangers of distracted driving there, work zone markings, and safe merging practices. The bill also adds work zone safety topics - including speed limits, markings, and distracted driving risks - to the written driver's license examination. This affects all new drivers (through education) and all license applicants (through testing), directly impacting how driving safety is taught and assessed in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's definition of "killed in the line of duty" for public safety officers, specifically adding three scenarios where deaths are presumed work-related: heart attacks/strokes during nonroutine stressful activities (like emergency responses), suicides linked to PTSD or traumatic events within 45 days, and deaths from infectious disease exposure during duty. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, EMTs, correctional staff, and other public safety personnel covered under the expanded definition in Minnesota Statutes §299A.41. The changes apply retroactively to November 1, 2022 (for most scenarios) and February 1, 2020 (for infectious disease cases). Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner of public safety to annually report federal changes affecting these benefits.

Maddy summarySF 219 modifies Minnesota's electric-assisted bicycle rebate program by changing how rebates are allocated. It requires the commissioner to issue rebates through a lottery system starting in 2025, reserving 40% of certificates for households with adjusted gross income under $78,000 (married filing jointly) or $41,000 (individuals). The bill also sets a $2 million annual cap on rebates, with unused funds rolling to the next year, and mandates a detailed report by January 2026 on program challenges, including technical issues from the 2024 rollout. This directly affects residents purchasing electric-assisted bicycles who meet income thresholds.