Sen. Bill Weber

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes political parties, candidates, or local officials to appoint voters as "challengers" to observe early and absentee voting locations. For partisan elections, each major party can appoint one challenger per precinct; for nonpartisan races, each candidate can appoint one. Challengers must be Minnesota residents (proving residency via state ID), cannot use undeliverable mail lists to challenge voters, and are barred from interfering with voting or handling voter records. The bill updates election law to explicitly include early/absentee voting locations under existing challenger rules.

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 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 summaryThis bill appropriates unspecified funds for Minnesota's existing Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, which provides financial support to farmers adopting soil health practices. It allocates money for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, limiting grants to $50,000 per recipient annually and allowing up to 6.5% of the total appropriation for program administration. Unspent funds from 2026 automatically carry over to 2027, and contracts signed by June 30, 2027, remain valid until June 30, 2029. The program directly benefits agricultural producers who implement soil health practices, with funding administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture under existing law (M.S. §17.134).

Maddy summarySF 878 exempts the retail delivery of liquid fuels (such as gasoline or diesel) from Minnesota's retail delivery fee. This bill directly affects fuel retailers who deliver liquid fuels to customers, removing a fee they previously paid on these transactions. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes § 168E.05, subdivision 1, by adding "a retail delivery of fuel products" as a specific exemption (item 3). This change clarifies that fuel delivery services are now explicitly excluded from the fee, aligning with the definition of "fuel products" added in § 168E.01. The bill makes a concrete policy change to the fee structure without altering tax obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used at Redwood Valley Elementary School in Redwood Falls, Minnesota (Independent School District No. 2897). It covers materials purchased between March 11, 2024, and September 9, 2026, for construction, renovation, or expansion projects at that specific school. The school district pays the sales tax upfront but receives a full refund from the state treasury, effectively eliminating the tax burden for these purchases. The exemption applies to materials used in the school's physical improvements during the specified timeframe.

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 summarySF 946 appropriates $190,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $190,000 for fiscal year 2027. The funds are designated for grants to Area II Minnesota River Basin Projects through the Board of Water and Soil Resources, specifically for floodplain management activities. This bill directly provides funding to local projects focused on managing flood risks in the specified river basin area. It does not create new regulations or alter existing laws, but rather allocates existing state funds for a defined purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $14,018,000 from state bond proceeds to fund the design, construction, renovation, and equipment for the Center for Rural Health and Wellness at Southwest Minnesota State University. It authorizes the state to sell bonds up to this amount to cover the costs, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The funds directly support campus infrastructure improvements at Southwest Minnesota State University. The project specifically targets the new health center facility, with the bill effective upon final enactment.

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.