Sen. Steve Green

Maddy summarySF 3492 repeals Minnesota's 2017 law that required driver's licenses to meet federal REAL ID standards. The repeal, effective July 1, 2026, would end the state's requirement to issue REAL ID-compliant licenses and to provide specific information about REAL ID to applicants. The bill also directs the state to prepare new legislation by February 2026 to update relevant statutes. This change would remove Minnesota's state-level implementation of REAL ID standards, though the federal requirement for REAL ID-compliant licenses to board domestic flights would remain in effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 3456 (mRNA Bioweapons Prohibition Act), prohibits the possession, distribution, or manufacture of "mRNA injections and products" in Minnesota, classifying them as weapons of mass destruction under existing law. It defines these products broadly to include mRNA-based vaccines (like those for COVID-19), gene therapies for infectious diseases, and nanotechnology altering genes. The law creates criminal penalties for violations and requires state/local officials to enforce it, with failure to act subject to criminal charges. It would apply to anyone possessing such products in Minnesota starting August 1, 2025, and allows residents to sue officials for non-enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the minimum age to hunt big game (like deer, bear, or moose) from 10 to 8 years old in Minnesota. It directly affects children aged 8-11 who wish to hunt under parental supervision, requiring them to obtain a license and be within immediate reach of a parent or guardian. Key provisions include amending licensing statutes to include ages 8-12 in fee-exempt categories for big game hunting (e.g., no fee for 8-12-year-olds to hunt bear or deer) and updating supervision requirements. The change applies to both residents and nonresidents under 16, maintaining existing safety certification rules for older youth. This is a policy adjustment to hunting regulations, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3081) extends Minnesota's existing privacy protections for judicial officials to peace officers. It defines "peace officer" under state law and specifies that their residential addresses, family information, non-work contact details, and children's school information are protected from public disclosure. Government entities must secure this data, and peace officers must submit written notification to claim protection (expiring after five years). The law takes effect August 1, 2025, amending statutes 13.991, 480.40, and 480.45.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 30 mph speed limit on a specific segment of Beltrami County State-Aid Highway 20 in Minnesota, from the intersection with Highway 21 to the entrance of Lake Bemidji State Park. It directly affects drivers traveling on this road segment and requires the county engineer to install appropriate speed limit signs. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.14, to create this new speed limit provision without changing general speed limit rules elsewhere. The change is limited to this defined highway section and takes effect once the required signs are installed.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used on Itasca County's government center projects. It applies to materials purchased between May 1, 2021, and December 31, 2024, for construction, renovation, or remodeling of the county's government facility. Taxpayers pay the tax upfront but receive a refund through the standard process for such projects, with claims due by January 1, 2026. The exemption is retroactive to May 2021 and funded from the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) employees who directly serve the public to provide alternative contact information if normal contact methods (like a standard office line) aren't available. It directly affects DNR staff whose roles involve public interaction, ensuring citizens can reach them for assistance. The law amends Minnesota Statute 84.083 to mandate this, specifying employees must offer either their own alternative contact or another employee's contact who can provide the same service. Crucially, it clarifies employees are not required to share private contact details like home addresses or personal phone numbers.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates the Board of Animal Health as the primary regulator for farmed white-tailed deer in Minnesota, reversing prior authority held by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. It requires deer farmers to maintain 96-inch-high, high-tensile fencing with redundant gates, undergo regular inspections, and correct violations within 14 days (or face facility registration revocation). The Board now enforces rules for fencing, escape prevention, and chronic wasting disease testing, while farmers remain liable for escape-related costs and disease management. This directly affects deer farmers and state agencies responsible for animal health oversight.

Maddy summarySF 2375 amends Minnesota's eligibility rules for the Challenge Incarceration Program, a corrections initiative. The bill adds specific categories of offenders who cannot participate, including those convicted of murder, sexual assault, or violent crimes within the past decade; individuals with recent disciplinary issues in prison; people required to register as sex offenders; those with active warrants; and offenders nearing release (less than 180 days remaining). It directly affects inmates in Minnesota's correctional system who would otherwise qualify for this program. The changes clarify and restrict program access based on offense type, recency of conviction, and current custody status.

Maddy summarySF 688 modifies Minnesota's self-defense laws by eliminating the common law duty to retreat when using force outside one's home. It expands the definition of "dwelling" to include porches, decks, adjacent structures, and even vehicles or temporary accommodations used as a home. The bill creates a legal presumption that a person acting in self-defense is justified, applying to all uses of force occurring on or after August 1, 2025. This directly affects Minnesotans using force in self-defense, particularly in non-residential settings where retreat was previously required.