Sen. Steve Green

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a state requirement that fences around farmed deer and elk must prevent physical contact with free-roaming deer and elk, while maintaining the mandate that fences prevent animal escape. It also eliminates the authority of state officials to revoke animal facility registrations or order the removal and destruction of animals based on repeated escape incidents or uncorrected fence deficiencies. Under the revised law, facilities must still maintain fences at least 96 inches tall made of high tensile material, repair fence deficiencies within 14 days, and pay reinspection fees for violations, but the most severe penalties of registration revocation and animal destruction are no longer available. The changes directly affect Minnesota farmers and ranchers who raise deer and elk by altering enforcement options for the Board of Animal Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program optional for both employers and employees. Employers can choose not to participate by submitting a form to the state, and employees can opt out by notifying their employer and the state agency. Both parties can change their decision once every 12 months, and employees who opt out can still participate as self-employed individuals. The law allows individuals to decide for themselves whether to join the program rather than requiring mandatory participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's tax code to align with a new federal provision that excludes employer contributions to Trump accounts from employees' gross income. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 290.01, subdivision 31 to explicitly include this federal exclusion in the state's definition of the Internal Revenue Code. The law takes effect the day after final passage, with retroactive application to match the federal effective date. This change ensures Minnesota taxpayers are treated consistently with federal tax rules regarding these specific employer contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to exempt elk from a prohibition on importing live deer and related animals from areas where chronic wasting disease has been detected. It requires that all other live cervids, such as deer and moose, come from herds with the highest disease certification status or test negative for the disease before entry. The legislation also maintains existing rules allowing zoo transfers between accredited facilities and permits for orphaned animals or reindeer under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the licensing fee for nonmotorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, sailboards, paddleboards, paddleboats, and rowing shells that are over ten feet in length. It directly affects Minnesota residents and visitors who own or use these types of watercraft for recreation. The key provision removes the $23 fee that was previously required for these specific watercraft, while maintaining fees for motorized boats and other licensed watercraft. The bill also adjusts related surcharges for aquatic invasive species control to reflect the removal of the nonmotorized watercraft fee. This change applies to all watercraft licensed under the relevant Minnesota statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's human services laws to exempt counties classified as economically distressed from paying their share of costs for certain mental health and substance use disorder services. A county is considered economically distressed if more than 15 percent of its population lives in poverty and over 70 percent of its land area is exempt from property taxation. The legislation also appropriates new funding for opioid overdose prevention, traditional healing practices for American Indians, safe recovery sites, and child protection services related to addiction. These changes directly affect county governments, the state Department of Human Services, and communities struggling with substance use disorder and economic hardship.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove Minnesota's requirement for electric utilities to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity generation by 2040. It directly affects electric utility companies in the state by eliminating the specific carbon-free energy targets previously established in state law. The legislation repeals Section 2g of Minnesota Statutes 216B.1691, which mandated that utilities meet increasing carbon-free electricity percentages of 80 percent by 2030, 90 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040. By removing these provisions, the bill allows electric utilities to operate without the current mandate to source electricity exclusively from carbon-free energy technologies by the end of the decade.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow new white-tailed deer farms in Minnesota by removing a current prohibition on registering new farms for this species. It directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses that wish to raise white-tailed deer for commercial purposes. The key provision amends existing animal health laws to permit new registrations while maintaining requirements for mandatory registration with the Board of Animal Health and seizure of unregistered animals. The bill also allows existing registrants to transfer their permits to immediate family members for a one-time fee, but does not change rules about revoked registrations or animal seizure procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota commissioner of natural resources to update state rules regarding boat storage structures in public waters. The amendment expands the definition of a watercraft canopy to include both fabric and metal-covered roofs, and allows certain structures with these types of roofs to be placed on public waters without requiring a permit. The changes directly affect property owners and users who wish to install boat storage structures on public waterways, simplifying the permitting process for structures that meet the updated roof specifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to sell $40 million in bonds to fund a new hospital facility in Mahnomen. It appropriates these bond proceeds to the Mahnomen Health Center Joint Powers Board for constructing, furnishing, and equipping the new hospital. The funds will come from the state's bond proceeds fund, following standard bond issuance procedures under Minnesota law. This directly affects the Mahnomen community and the Health Center Joint Powers Board by providing capital for a new healthcare facility.