Sen. Bill Weber

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of up to $2 million in state bonds to fund wastewater infrastructure improvements in Nobles County. The funds will be provided as a grant to the Public Facilities Authority for Nobles County to acquire land, hire engineers, and build wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment systems for the Reading Subordinate Sewer District. Unlike many grants, this funding does not require Nobles County to provide matching funds from its own budget. The legislation becomes effective immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Transactional Gold and Silver Act in Minnesota, which would recognize gold and silver bullion as legal tender for private transactions and state obligations if the state agrees to accept it. The legislation requires the commissioner of commerce to authorize a bullion depository that stores physical gold and silver, operates an electronic payment system backed by actual metal reserves, and allows account holders to buy, sell, save, or spend these metals. While gold and silver would be recognized as legal tender, the bill explicitly states that individuals and businesses are not required to accept them as payment. The commissioner must also create rules for depository operations and submit a report on the implementation of the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota law to allow certain school district lease levy amounts to qualify for agricultural credit authorization associated with school building bonds. It directly affects school districts in Minnesota that levy taxes for debt service, particularly those operating across multiple counties or using cooperative units. The key provision clarifies how to calculate the portion of a levy designated for debt service, including amounts from specific bond sections and cooperative unit contributions, while excluding certain postemployment benefit repayments. These changes will take effect starting with taxes payable in 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program in Minnesota to help school districts and transportation providers purchase propane-fueled school buses. It directly affects public school districts, private transportation companies, and communities with high poverty rates or rural locations. The program requires applicants to submit detailed plans showing how they will use the buses, particularly in areas serving students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and gives priority funding to disadvantaged districts. The state Energy Department will manage the grants, provide technical support, and must aim to award at least 40 percent of available funds to prioritized school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the amount of property value that can be excluded from Minnesota estate tax calculations to $4 million for estates of people who die on or after January 1, 2026. The change directly affects individuals in Minnesota who own property located in the state and are required to file an estate tax return. The bill updates the filing threshold to $4 million and adjusts the tax rate schedule to reflect this higher exclusion amount. Additionally, it modifies the calculation for small business and farm property deductions to align with the new exclusion limit. These provisions aim to reduce the taxable estate for more families while maintaining the existing tax structure for larger estates.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $24.4 million in state bond funding for capital projects at Southwest Minnesota State University. The money will be used to renovate the Physical Education building, construct an indoor sports and recreation dome, and upgrade the gymnasium. The funds come from state bonds that the commissioner of management and budget will sell and issue according to existing state laws. This legislation directly affects the university's infrastructure and athletic facilities by providing specific construction and renovation budgets. The bill takes effect the day after it is officially passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove Minnesota's requirement for electric utilities to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity generation by 2040. It directly affects electric utility companies in the state by eliminating the specific carbon-free energy targets previously established in state law. The legislation repeals Section 2g of Minnesota Statutes 216B.1691, which mandated that utilities meet increasing carbon-free electricity percentages of 80 percent by 2030, 90 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040. By removing these provisions, the bill allows electric utilities to operate without the current mandate to source electricity exclusively from carbon-free energy technologies by the end of the decade.

Maddy summarySF 3049 modifies Minnesota's physical therapy practice rules to clarify supervision requirements and delegation limits. It requires physical therapists to be physically present during at least every other treatment session with student physical therapists or student physical therapist assistants (replacing telecommunication as acceptable supervision). The bill also updates delegation rules, stating physical therapists cannot assign initial patient evaluations, treatment planning, or initial documentation to assistants or aides. These changes directly affect licensed physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in training across Minnesota healthcare settings. The bill amends specific sections of Minnesota Statutes 2024 related to physical therapy practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state departments and agencies to submit mandatory reports to legislative committee members electronically instead of by mail. It also limits how public entities distribute reports to legislators, allowing distribution only when requested and prohibiting sending materials to both home and office addresses unless specifically requested. The changes aim to reduce paper waste and streamline how government information reaches lawmakers by updating Minnesota Statutes section 3.195.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for intentionally disrupting worship services at religious establishments in Minnesota. It applies to individuals who enter a clearly marked place of worship with the intent to disrupt a scheduled service and commit a crime there, classifying the first offense as a gross misdemeanor and repeat offenses as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship services by a religious organization that is clearly identified with a posted sign or other means. The provisions will take effect on August 1, 2026, and only apply to crimes committed on or after that date.