Sen. Steve Drazkowski

Maddy summarySF 685 requires Minnesota legislature standing committees to obtain at least two-thirds approval from members before a committee chair can lay a bill over for potential inclusion in a major finance or policy omnibus bill. If the two-thirds threshold isn't met, the committee must either refer the bill to another committee, send it to the full legislature, table it, or the chair must halt further action. Bills that are tabled or receive no further action due to the failed vote cannot later be added to an omnibus bill without a specific committee amendment containing only that bill's policy items. The bill mandates both the House and Senate adopt procedural rules to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota local governments from enacting policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It specifically bans cities or counties from creating "noncooperation" ordinances that would prevent law enforcement from sharing immigration status information with federal agencies or reporting undocumented individuals arrested for violent crimes. County attorneys must report such arrests to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), even if no charges are filed. The law applies to all government entities and public employees, requiring them to share immigration data for federal enforcement purposes. It takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 617 would allow courts to award reasonable attorney fees and expenses to a winning plaintiff in civil cases against a Minnesota municipality, if the municipality's legal position was not "substantially justified" (meaning it lacked a reasonable basis in law or fact). The bill requires the winning party to file a detailed fee request within 30 days of final judgment, showing the municipality's position was unreasonable. It excludes tort cases from this provision and does not prevent parties from seeking other available fees under different laws. This bill directly affects individuals or entities suing municipalities who win their case but must prove the municipality's position was not legally or factually sound.

Maddy summarySF 601 would abolish Minnesota's vehicle registration taxes and transfer the associated revenue. The bill directly affects all vehicle owners in Minnesota by eliminating the tax requirement for registering vehicles. Key provisions include repealing multiple sections of Minnesota Statutes that govern vehicle registration fees and tax calculations, specifically targeting sections related to registration tax amounts and exemptions. The bill also transfers the funds previously collected from these taxes to other designated state accounts as specified in the legislation. This is a substantive policy change removing a major source of state revenue from vehicle registration.

Maddy summarySF 616 appropriates $6,000 for fiscal year 2026 to provide $1,200 bonuses to eligible Minnesota service members who did not receive prior bonuses under Minnesota Statutes §197.79 but have a DD214 confirming qualifying service. It directly affects veterans whose military service meets specific criteria outlined in state law, requiring them to submit documentation to the Veterans Affairs commissioner by December 31, 2028. The funds are available until June 20, 2029, and are intended to supplement existing bonus programs for qualifying service. This bill creates a new payment mechanism for veterans meeting defined service requirements, without altering existing eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers in Minnesota to provide new student employees with written notice on or before their first day of work that joining a union is not required for employment. It directly affects student employees working for public institutions (like state universities or school districts), specifically clarifying that union membership cannot be a condition of their job. The key provision amends Minnesota law to mandate this notification, ensuring students understand their right to choose union membership. The bill does not change existing union representation rules but focuses on informing student workers of their rights upfront.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota's 0.25% metropolitan region sales and use tax, which was collected on retail sales in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (including Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, and other surrounding counties). The tax generated revenue distributed to state rent assistance (25%), city housing aid (25%), and county housing aid (50%) under Minnesota Statutes 297A.9925. The repeal removes this tax from state law, effective July 1, 2025, ending the collection of this specific revenue stream for those housing and assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits counties, municipalities, and school districts in Minnesota from accepting contributions from for-profit businesses or nonprofit organizations to cover election expenses. It directly affects local governments by banning them from using funds from these outside sources for federal, state, or local election costs. The key provision adds a new section to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.32, explicitly stating that such contributions cannot be accepted "in any form" for election expenses. The policy change removes any existing local authority to accept these contributions, making the prohibition enforceable statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits Minnesota's ability to assess additional taxes when taxpayers rely on written erroneous advice from the tax department. It protects taxpayers who received specific written guidance from department employees that was reasonably relied upon and not due to the taxpayer's failure to provide accurate information. The commissioner cannot impose extra tax if the advice remained valid (no legal changes or court decisions altered it) and no new written notice corrected the guidance. The provision applies to tax periods starting after the erroneous advice was given, effective June 30, 2025. It directly affects individuals and businesses subject to income, corporate franchise, and sales tax assessments.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota Senate resolution (SF 566) asks Congress to call a constitutional convention to propose amendments addressing three specific issues: limiting federal spending (fiscal restraints), reducing federal power over states, and imposing term limits on federal officials and members of Congress. It does not create new laws but formally requests Congress to convene a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution is a continuing application, meaning Minnesota will maintain this request until two-thirds of states support similar proposals. It directly affects Minnesota's relationship with federal governance by formally advocating for constitutional changes through the state legislature's petition.