Sen. Steve Drazkowski

Maddy summarySF 499 reduces the filing fee for complaints about government data practices from $1,000 to $200. This change directly affects individuals or organizations filing formal complaints alleging violations of Minnesota's data practices laws against government entities. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 13.085, specifically modifying the fee requirement in the complaint process while keeping all other procedural rules unchanged. It aims to lower financial barriers for citizens seeking to address potential government data misuse. The fee reduction applies to all complaints filed under this section, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for Minnesota to select delegates to a potential constitutional convention called under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It requires the Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader, House speaker, and House minority leader to each appoint one delegate, with the four appointing authorities needing to unanimously choose a fifth delegate. If they cannot agree on the fifth delegate, Minnesota would send only four delegates. The bill also outlines procedures for appointing alternates and sets a 30-day deadline before the convention date for all appointments.

Maddy summarySF 440, the "Unilateral Emergency Powers Repeal Act," removes the Minnesota governor's authority to unilaterally declare emergencies or issue emergency orders with the force of law. Instead, it requires the legislature to formally declare and extend emergencies, shifting emergency decision-making power from the executive branch to lawmakers. The bill also explicitly protects citizens' rights during emergencies, prohibiting the governor from infringing on free speech, assembly, religious freedom, business operations, or travel. Key provisions repeal specific statutes (like 4.035 and 12.31) that previously granted the governor broad emergency powers under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for filing property tax refund claims in Minnesota from one year to two years after the original due date. It directly affects property owners who missed the initial filing window for tax refunds, giving them an additional year to submit claims. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 289A.40, changing the rule that previously barred claims filed more than one year late. The change applies to property taxes payable in 2025 and later years. This is a procedural adjustment to refund filing timelines, not a change to tax rates or eligibility.

Maddy summarySF 102 repeals a gross revenue tax on hospitals and healthcare providers in Minnesota, specifically eliminating sections 295.50 through 295.58 of the tax code. This directly affects hospitals, surgical centers, and healthcare providers who previously paid this tax on their gross revenue. The bill also makes technical adjustments to related statutes, including sections modifying medical assistance payment calculations (256B.04, 256B.0625) to reflect the tax repeal. The changes take effect for gross revenues received after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 366 clarifies that election judges in Minnesota are not considered employees of the local election authority that appoints them. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 204B.19 to state that appointing authorities cannot require conditions unrelated to performing election judge duties (such as standard employment requirements for permanent staff) as a condition of appointment. This directly affects election judges and local election officials who appoint them. The key provision prevents appointing authorities from imposing unrelated employment-related requirements, like background checks or training unrelated to election duties, when hiring election judges.

Maddy summarySF 308 modifies the interest rate homeowners pay when they confess judgment on delinquent taxes for their primary residence (homestead property) in Minnesota. It changes the calculation method so the interest rate is set annually as the greater of 5% or 2% above the average prime rate charged by banks (as tracked by the Federal Reserve), rounded to the nearest whole percent, but not exceeding the maximum rate in existing law. This rate applies to all payments made under the confession of judgment agreement and is fixed for the duration of the judgment. The bill directly affects homeowners with overdue property taxes who choose this payment option instead of contesting the taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 352, removes the requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in most public places across Minnesota, recognizing the Second Amendment right to carry. It states that law-abiding residents (not prohibited by state or federal law) may carry firearms openly in vehicles, on their person, or in public spaces like parks and stores, excluding homes, businesses, gun shops, and hunting areas. The bill also creates an optional permit system for those who want one, requiring applicants to be 21+, have pistol safety training, and pass background checks. It directly affects Minnesotans seeking to carry firearms without a permit, while maintaining existing restrictions for prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to regulate how immigration status data from certain driver's license applications is handled. It prohibits the Minnesota Department of Public Safety or license agents from sharing "immigration status data" (which includes proof of citizenship or lawful presence) with immigration enforcement agencies, except in limited cases like criminal convictions. The bill appropriates $218,000 in 2026 and $202,000 in 2027 for staffing to monitor applicants who haven't verified citizenship or lawful presence, specifically to check if they've registered to vote or been convicted of a crime. It directly affects noncompliant license applicants, state agencies handling license data, and law enforcement agencies receiving limited criminal data.

Maddy summarySF 99 modifies Minnesota's pesticide applicator licensing requirements to create a consistent exception for noncertified applicators who meet federal standards. The bill adds identical language to five sections of Minnesota law (18B.30, 18B.32, 18B.33, 18B.34, and 18B.36), stating that the licensing rules do not apply to noncertified applicators who satisfy Code of Federal Regulations Title 40, Section 171.201. This directly affects pesticide applicators who operate under federal guidelines but lack state certification. The key change is standardizing this federal exception across multiple statutes, reducing regulatory complexity for affected applicators. The bill does not alter the core requirement that restricted pesticides generally require state licensing.