Sen. Steve Green

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 169) would make a veteran's official discharge papers (DD214) legally equivalent to a permit to carry a pistol in Minnesota. It directly affects veterans who possess their original or certified DD214, allowing them to carry pistols without needing a separate permit, paying fees, or proving firearm training. The key provision requires veterans to carry their DD214 while carrying a pistol in locations where a permit would otherwise be required, but other permit-related laws still apply. This change specifically covers pistol carrying under Minnesota's permit-to-carry statutes, not broader firearm regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3739) adds a new provision to Minnesota's tax code, allowing taxpayers to deduct qualified overtime compensation that is already deductible under federal law (specifically Section 225 of the Internal Revenue Code). It directly affects Minnesota taxpayers who earn overtime compensation qualifying under federal rules, enabling them to reduce their state taxable income by the same amount they deduct federally. The key mechanism aligns Minnesota's tax deduction with the federal standard, effective retroactively for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024 (starting with 2025 filings). The bill does not create new federal rules but adopts existing federal treatment for state tax purposes.

Maddy summarySF 3743 prohibits cannabis businesses from locating within 1,000 feet of youth athletic facilities. This directly affects cannabis business operators seeking locations near facilities used by minors for sports or physical activities. The bill defines "youth athletic facility" as an indoor space regularly used by minors for competitive sports, athletics, or exercise. The law amends Minnesota Statutes to create this buffer zone requirement, aiming to limit cannabis business proximity to areas frequented by young people.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales tax exemption for specific items and services used to repair property damaged by natural disasters in Minnesota. It covers repairs like replacing windows, doors, roofing materials, generators, debris removal, and sandbagging equipment, but only when a federal or local official declares a natural disaster and purchases occur within two years of that declaration. Tax collected on these items is refunded through the existing tax process, as if the standard sales tax rate applied initially. The exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after May 31, 2025, directly benefiting homeowners and businesses recovering from qualifying disasters.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts specific agricultural activities on certain Minnesota farmlands from requiring wetland replacement plans. It directly affects farmers who manage land classified as prior-converted cropland, farmed wetlands, or land meeting specific crop-planting history in designated counties (Clay, Koochiching, etc.). Key provisions include removing the need for replacement plans during normal farming practices (like plowing and harvesting), approved conservation work, aquaculture, wild rice production, and activities under federal wetland permits. Landowners must provide documentation of their land's wetland classification to local authorities for verification. The bill does not alter federal Clean Water Act requirements but streamlines state-level permitting for these defined agricultural uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Natural Resources to prevent loss of county tax revenue when acquiring land, mandating agreements where sellers pay counties annual amounts equal to the property's tax value. It establishes annual and quarterly reporting requirements for the department on all land ownership, easements, and disposal activities, including detailed financial and operational justifications. The bill also clarifies timber permit rules, including extending permits when mills reject timber and reserving final authority over permits in wildlife management areas to the Division of Forestry. These provisions directly affect county governments, the Department of Natural Resources, and timber permit holders across Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 3639 would allow counties in Minnesota to require watershed districts to find funding sources other than local property tax levies for their projects. The bill amends statutes to let counties prohibit watershed districts from using tax levies authorized under current law (Section 103D.915), directing them instead to identify alternative funding. If multiple counties are in a watershed district, one county’s prohibition would apply to all counties in that district. Counties could also review project funding plans and suggest cost-saving changes. This bill, introduced February 2026, directly affects watershed districts and county governments by shifting funding authority.

Maddy summarySF 3678 removes an exemption that previously allowed watershed districts and drainage authorities in Minnesota to take private property without following standard eminent domain procedures. The bill requires these entities to comply with the state's general eminent domain process - including providing notice and fair compensation - when acquiring property for projects under chapters 103D or 103E. This change applies to all takings occurring on or after August 1, 2026, affecting watershed districts and drainage authorities statewide. The law ensures these entities follow the same legal safeguards as other government bodies making property acquisitions.

Maddy summarySF 657 allows minnow dealers, retailers, and private hatchery license holders in Minnesota to import live minnows from other states without a permit during emergencies when local supply is insufficient for at least one day. It requires these businesses to notify the state commissioner within 48 hours of importation and permits inspections to verify the minnows' quantity, source, species, and health. The bill exempts these emergency imports from standard permit requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 97C.341. This directly affects businesses that rely on minnows for fishing bait, ensuring they can maintain supply during shortages.

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.