Sen. Steve Drazkowski

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's vehicle registration tax rates by adjusting annual percentage calculations based on vehicle age (e.g., 100% in first year, decreasing to 10% in tenth year) and setting a $25 flat rate after 10 years. It also modifies gasoline excise taxes to tie annual rate adjustments to the Minnesota Highway Construction Cost Index, capping increases at 3% starting in 2025. The bill repeals two outdated tax provisions (sections 297A.9915 and 473.4465) and updates special fuel tax rates for propane, LNG, and natural gas. These changes directly affect vehicle owners (through registration fees) and fuel consumers (through gas and special fuel taxes), with effective dates beginning in 2025.

Maddy summarySF 103 requires all state agencies and constitutional officers to include the exact notice "Paid for by the hardworking taxpayers of Minnesota" on any advertising or promotional material funded by state money, regardless of medium (including digital, radio, or print). This applies to all ads purchased with state funds, with specific formatting rules for audio, video, and print formats. Failure to include the notice makes the agency commissioner or official personally liable for the full cost of the advertisement, with penalties paid to the state general fund. The bill directly affects state agencies and officials managing public advertising, creating a clear transparency requirement with financial consequences for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 174) changes the appointment process for the director of Minnesota's Division of Driver and Vehicle Services. It requires the Senate's "advice and consent" (approval) for the commissioner to appoint this director, replacing the current process where the commissioner could appoint without Senate input. The bill directly affects the director position within the Department of Public Safety's driver services division. This is a procedural change to the appointment authority, not a substantive policy shift in driver services operations.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 104 bill removes income-based limits on deducting Social Security benefits from state taxable income. Previously, taxpayers could only subtract a capped amount (e.g., $5,840 for joint filers) that phased out at higher incomes. This bill allows all Social Security benefits received to be fully deducted without these caps, directly affecting Minnesota taxpayers receiving Social Security income. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summarySF 45 modifies requirements for Minnesota's Tax Expenditure Review Commission. It changes the commission's membership structure (specifying how senators and representatives are appointed) and revises its review process for state tax benefits. The bill requires the commission to annually review tax expenditures, assess revenue losses and effectiveness, and recommend whether to continue, repeal, or modify each benefit. Key provisions include a 10-year review cycle for all tax expenditures, mandatory public hearings before reports, and standardized analysis components like estimating revenue impacts and comparing tax benefits to direct spending. This bill directly affects the commission's operations and how Minnesota evaluates existing tax breaks.

Maddy summarySF 98 modifies Minnesota's requirements for restricted use pesticide applicators by creating a new "noncertified applicator" category aligned with federal rules. It allows private applicators providing direct supervision under federal regulations to not be immediate family members, removing a previous requirement. The bill amends multiple statutes (18B.01, 18B.30, 18B.32-18B.36) to add exceptions for this category, meaning noncertified applicators are exempt from certain certification and licensing rules. This directly affects pesticide users, particularly private applicators on farms who previously faced stricter family relationship requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 6) amends Minnesota Statutes section 290.01 to update the definition of a "resident trust" for income tax purposes. It creates two distinct sets of criteria: one for trusts established or administered before December 31, 1995, and another for newer trusts (after that date). For newer trusts, a trust qualifies as "resident" only if it meets two conditions (e.g., most investment decisions made in Minnesota) AND either the grantor was Minnesota-domiciled at irrevocability or the trust was created by a Minnesota-domiciled decedent. This change directly affects trusts subject to Minnesota income tax, clarifying which trusts must pay state taxes based on their administration location and grantor ties.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds new accountability requirements for organizations receiving funds from Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage Fund (for land conservation) or Clean Water Fund (for water quality projects). Recipients must now assess risks to adjacent properties, explain how they'll seek approval from neighboring landowners if access is needed, schedule public meetings to address community concerns, and detail reimbursement plans for property damage (using non-fund money). These provisions apply specifically to projects involving land work and take effect July 1, 2025. The bill does not change funding amounts but strengthens community engagement and transparency for projects using these state funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers in Minnesota to accept United States currency, including Federal Reserve notes, as payment for goods and services. The rule applies to in-person transactions at locations where the seller takes cash, with specific exceptions for banks, credit unions, and certain security deposit scenarios. While businesses with multiple sales points must accept cash at at least one location, they are exempt from the requirement if they only use cash-to-card conversion devices that charge no fees, require no large deposits, provide receipts, and do not limit card usage. Violations of this requirement could result in a civil penalty of up to $250 for each transaction or attempted transaction.