Sen. Bill Weber

Maddy summaryThis bill creates three new property tax exclusions for qualifying railroad improvements in Minnesota. It directly affects railroad companies that make eligible upgrades to their infrastructure, including public transit connections, safety enhancements (like rail replacement or bridge repairs), or environmental improvements (such as reducing locomotive emissions). To qualify, improvements must have been made after 2016, require annual applications by December 31, and be applied proportionately across all railroad property in the state. The exclusions reduce the taxable value of qualifying property, with retroactive application for 2024 assessments and effective for 2025 taxes.

Maddy summarySF 3423 amends Minnesota's water permit rules to require applicants seeking groundwater use permits to conduct new aquifer tests at their own cost. These tests must assess potential impacts on nearby wells and water resources at the requested pumping rate. The bill also tightens timelines, requiring the commissioner to act on complete applications within 150 days (or 120 days after test results), and mandates written justifications for requiring new tests. This directly affects businesses, farms, or municipalities applying for groundwater permits by adding testing costs and streamlining review processes.

Maddy summarySF 3364 creates a tax subtraction for financial institutions in Minnesota that provide qualifying commercial loans. It allows S corporations (via § 290.0132) and all financial institutions (via § 290.0134) to subtract income from loans meeting three criteria: (1) $5 million or less in value, (2) provided to a Minnesota resident or business, and (3) used primarily for business or agricultural purposes. This change reduces taxable income for participating financial institutions, effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2024. The bill directly affects financial institutions issuing such loans within Minnesota, not the borrowers.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $35.5 million in bonds to fund public infrastructure improvements in Edgerton. The funds will directly support the city for replacing and rehabilitating its sanitary sewer and drinking water systems, including a new lift station, water treatment plant upgrades, water line replacements, and related street work. The money comes from a state bond proceeds fund, with the Public Facilities Authority managing the grant to Edgerton. The bill focuses on concrete infrastructure upgrades without specifying new policies or regulations.

Maddy summarySF 2815 establishes a quarterly refund system for Minnesota pharmacies that sell prescription drugs (referred to as "legend drugs") to customers outside Minnesota. Pharmacies can claim refunds equal to the tax they paid to distributors on those out-of-state sales, calculated using Minnesota's tax rate. Refund requests must be filed quarterly based on when the drugs were delivered (e.g., by July 1 for Q1 sales), and must be submitted within one year of the delivery date. The program becomes effective for sales occurring after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts property owned and operated by congressionally chartered veterans service organizations from Minnesota's property tax classification rates. It establishes a specific tax exemption for qualifying property under existing law, removing the standard 1.25% classification rate applied to similar properties. The exemption requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to provide an annual list of eligible organizations to the commissioner of revenue by January 1. The change takes effect for property assessments beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million from state bond proceeds to fund Minnesota town roads and bridges, directly affecting local town governments that maintain these infrastructure assets. It allocates $25 million specifically for town roads and $10 million for town bridges, to be distributed by the state transportation commissioner per existing law. The funding will be provided through the sale of up to $35 million in state bonds, following established bonding procedures under Minnesota statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $75,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program. The funds will be provided as grants to the Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation, which administers the program. The bill directly affects the foundation and the program’s participants, including agricultural leaders and rural community members in Minnesota. It does not create new policies but provides specific annual funding to sustain existing program operations.

Maddy summarySF 2327 creates a Minnesota-specific New Markets tax credit program to incentivize investments in low-income communities. It allocates $100 million for investments in "qualified active low-income community businesses" in Greater Minnesota (non-metro counties) and $100 million for similar investments in metro counties. Investors receive tax credits over six years (0% for first two years, 10% annually for the next five) based on equity investments in qualifying community development financial institutions. The program requires businesses to meet specific criteria, such as having principal operations in low-income areas and employing at least 60% of workers locally. The Department of Revenue will administer the credit and report on its implementation.

Maddy summarySF 2855 would end Minnesota's community solar garden program by setting a fixed expiration date of July 31, 2028. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add a sunset provision to the program's governing law, meaning the program will no longer operate after that date. This directly affects residents and businesses participating in or planning to join the community solar garden program, which allows multiple households to share benefits from a single solar installation. The change does not alter the program's current structure but establishes a clear end date for its operation.