Sen. Steve Green

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's state wildlife agency to establish an open moose hunting season in any year that an open elk hunting season is permitted. It directly affects moose and elk hunters, as well as the state's wildlife management agency, by linking the two seasons. The key provision amends statute 97B.515 to eliminate a prior rule that prohibited an elk season if no moose season existed. Instead, the agency must now allow moose hunting whenever elk hunting is permitted, based on population management rules. This change ensures moose seasons align with elk seasons rather than being restricted independently.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's commissioner to issue timber refunds within 30 days of a person becoming eligible for them. It directly affects landowners and businesses that qualify for timber sale refunds under state law. The key provision adds a specific 30-day deadline to Minnesota Statutes section 90.201, replacing any previous payment timelines. This change ensures faster refunds without altering eligibility criteria or refund amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2663) modifies funding for Minnesota's soil and water conservation districts by shifting the source from the general fund to the clean water fund and increasing annual funding. Starting in 2025, $20 million annually will be appropriated from the clean water fund (up from $15 million previously from the general fund) to pay conservation district aid. The change directly affects soil and water conservation districts that receive state aid for local conservation projects. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 477A.23, effective for payments made in 2025 and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates legal liability for individuals who trespass on or damage critical infrastructure like pipelines, utilities, or public service facilities, and holds recruiters or organizers of such trespasses responsible for resulting property damage. It amends Minnesota law to make damaging critical infrastructure with intent to disrupt services a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $20,000 fine, while unauthorized entry (without consent) becomes a gross misdemeanor under specific conditions like refusing to leave or ignoring posted signs. The law directly affects trespassers and those who recruit, train, or aid them, extending liability to entities that facilitate such actions. It applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and focuses on property damage and trespass to infrastructure rather than other activities.

Maddy summarySF 489 removes burial fees for spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 190.19 (relating to Department of Veterans Affairs funding) and 197.236 (regarding burial fees) to prohibit charging these fees. Currently, families paid fees for interment, but this bill eliminates that cost entirely for qualifying spouses and dependents. The change directly affects veterans' families seeking burial in state cemeteries, removing a financial barrier. The bill does not affect burial fees for veterans themselves, as those are already prohibited under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for human trafficking offenses and prohibits employers from knowingly hiring individuals without legal U.S. work authorization. It makes using a fake ID to verify employment status a felony (up to 2 years in prison or $5,000 fine) and requires employers to terminate unauthorized employees. Employers violating these rules face fines up to $10,000 per violation and potential license suspensions for 14 days. State agencies must also report annual spending on assistance to people without legal status by December 15 each year. The bill directly affects employers, individuals seeking work verification, and state agencies providing services to non-citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the commissioner of natural resources. The funds are specifically for a grant to "Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat" to promote youth shooting sports and host a youth shooting day. It directly affects youth participants in shooting sports programs through this grant-funded initiative. The bill creates no new requirements or regulations, only providing dedicated funding for an existing program.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs. It creates a grant program for Independent Lifestyles, Inc., to operate retreats at Camp Bliss in Walker for eligible veterans and their family members. The grant covers therapy, transportation, activities, and camp maintenance, with the commissioner reimbursing the grant recipient at least $850 per eligible attendee per visit (up to two visits yearly). Eligible veterans include those with a DD-214 or current military members, and family members include spouses, domestic partners, or children.

Maddy summarySF 696 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Minnesota's legislative districts are drawn. It would require the Senate to be apportioned by county (one senator per county, increasing the Senate from 67 to 87 members) and the House of Representatives to be apportioned by population (with 134 districts of roughly equal population). The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election. If passed, the new district boundaries would be established following the next federal census, replacing the current system where Senate districts are not strictly county-based.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 57 requires state interagency groups that make recommendations on public permitting decisions to hold their meetings openly to the public. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to explicitly include these interagency groups under existing open meeting requirements for state agencies, boards, and commissions. Key provisions mandate that such meetings must be accessible to the public and that all votes must be recorded in official minutes. The bill applies specifically to state employee groups advising on permitting decisions, not to all public meetings or other government bodies.