Sen. Steve Drazkowski

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax refund process to include interest on estimated tax payments when taxpayers receive refunds. It directly affects individual income tax filers and businesses (like S corporations, partnerships, and corporations) that paid estimated taxes during the year and later overpaid their tax liability. The key change requires refunds to include interest calculated from the date each estimated tax payment was made until either the refund claim date or the original tax due date. This interest uses the same rate applied to taxes paid to the state under existing rules. The change applies to refunds for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summarySF 1058 repeals a fee on delivery services (the retail delivery fee) and changes how transportation-related tax revenues are distributed in Minnesota. The bill establishes a "transportation advancement account" and specifies new funding allocations: 36% to metropolitan counties, 28% to county highway funds, 23% to larger cities, 34% to small cities, 15% to town roads, and 1% to a food delivery support account. These changes affect local governments receiving transportation funds and the state Revenue Department, which administers tax collections. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota conservation officers to coordinate with local sheriff's offices for investigations and enforcement. It mandates that conservation officers work under sheriff supervision in their county, follow sheriff-assigned schedules (with exceptions for multi-county areas), and be accompanied by a sheriff or deputy during most enforcement actions - except for immediate threats, federal law requirements, or specific violations occurring in their presence. The law affects conservation officers (who enforce natural resource laws) and sheriff's offices, altering how they collaborate on enforcement. Key changes include formalizing sheriff oversight of officer schedules and requiring deputy accompaniment during investigations. Exceptions allow officers to act alone in urgent situations or when responding to violations they witness firsthand.

Maddy summarySF 996 prohibits organizations receiving state funding from spending money on political activities. It applies to any entity, including nonprofits, that gets state money through direct appropriations, grants, or competitive funding. The law bans all campaign expenditures or political spending by these organizations, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects nonprofits, schools, or community groups receiving state funds, preventing them from supporting political candidates or causes with public dollars.

Maddy summarySF 1057 clarifies that the Minnesota legislature can refer proposed statutory changes - such as amendments to existing laws, new laws, or repeals - to the ballot for public vote. It defines a "measure" as a proposal affecting one general topic (e.g., a single policy area) and requires a majority vote in both legislative chambers to place it on the ballot. If approved by a majority of voters, the measure becomes law and is published and codified like other statutes. This process allows voters to directly adopt or reject specific statutory changes without altering the legislature’s primary role in lawmaking.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 846) removes the requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in most public places in Minnesota, allowing eligible residents to carry openly or concealed without a license. It directly affects all Minnesotans who are not prohibited from owning firearms under state or federal law, including those who may previously have needed a permit for public carry. The bill adds an optional permit system (for those who choose it) requiring training, being 21+ years old, passing background checks, and meeting specific eligibility criteria. Key exceptions include not applying to private property like homes or businesses, gun shops, hunting areas, or public places where the carry is already prohibited by law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $44.8 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new regional wastewater treatment facility in Goodhue County. The funds will support the North Zumbro Sanitary District (serving Zumbrota, Goodhue, Pine Island, and Wanamingo) and connect to Pine Island's infrastructure to serve the Prairie Island Indian Community's Elk Run settlement lands. It authorizes the state to issue up to $44.8 million in bonds to cover design, construction, and necessary infrastructure improvements for the facility. The project aims to create a state-of-the-art regional wastewater treatment prototype for the specified communities.

Maddy summarySF 956 prohibits Minnesota conservation officers from conducting searches or seizures without a warrant or court order, except in emergencies or with the person's consent. It requires officers to provide a written receipt to anyone from whom property is seized. The bill affects conservation officers enforcing natural resource laws (such as hunting and fishing regulations) and the public they interact with during enforcement. The law amends multiple Minnesota statutes to implement these requirements for property seizures.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's protections for calcareous fens - special wetland areas with unique ecological value - by requiring the Department of Natural Resources to define them through rulemaking and submit a detailed report by December 2025. It clarifies that filling, draining, or degrading these fens requires commissioner approval under a management plan, with temporary water use allowed seasonally under specific conditions. The bill also mandates that permit denials affecting fens must be accompanied by a report detailing the fen's ecological benefits and potential impacts. These changes directly affect land developers, landowners, and agencies handling permits near calcareous fens, while requiring the state to standardize protections and document ecological significance.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from Minnesota's Clean Water Fund to create a new southeast regional initiative focused on protecting groundwater and improving soil health. It directly affects soil and water conservation districts in 11 southeast counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona), providing grants to support specific projects. Key provisions include funding for cover crop programs, alternative crops, and pasture enhancements to reduce fertilizer leaching into groundwater, immobilize excess nitrogen, and prevent soil erosion. The initiative allows conservation districts to make subgrants for projects aligned with the Olmsted County program.