Sen. Rich Draheim

Maddy summarySF 354 would create a new special license plate for Minnesota veterans who received the National Defense Medal. This plate would be added to Minnesota's existing veterans' plate program, requiring applicants to provide proof of the medal. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 168.123 to include this new category, following the same application process as other veterans' plates (including fee payment and verification of service). It directly affects eligible Minnesota veterans who served with the National Defense Medal, without changing existing requirements for other veteran plate types.

Maddy summarySF 220 exempts sales and use tax on construction materials for three specific projects in Fairmont: UV/biosolids facilities (purchases Sept 11, 2024-Jan 11, 2027), storage tanks (Jan 1, 2025-June 2, 2026), and public works buildings (May 31, 2021-March 8, 2024). The exemption applies to materials used in construction, renovation, or upgrades, with tax paid upfront and refunded later. Refunds for eligible purchases won’t be issued before June 30, 2025, and funds will come from the state general fund. This directly affects contractors and businesses purchasing materials for these Fairmont projects during the specified periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota allocates funds from the workforce development fund. It requires that 25% of the fund's grants to organizations in fiscal year 2026 and 50% in 2027 be tied to performance metrics under existing law (Minnesota Statutes § 116J.8747). These performance-based grants directly affect organizations receiving state workforce development funds, shifting a larger portion of funding toward outcomes measured by program effectiveness. The change focuses on directing more resources toward proven results rather than standard grant distributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's economic development commissioner to consult with Management Analysis and Development before issuing or creating new grants exceeding $500,000. It mandates that the commissioner develop and agree on measurable goals for assessing grant effectiveness before finalizing applications, contracts, or proposals. Additionally, the commissioner must submit annual progress reports and a final report to the legislature detailing how funds were used, including unspent amounts if grants exceed one year. These requirements apply to all grantees receiving $500,000+ grants, who must provide necessary information for reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Administration to submit a report by February 15, 2026, detailing all state-owned and leased office space. The report must identify substantially vacant properties, analyze potential conversion to housing, and estimate revenue from renting or selling repurposed space. It mandates the commissioner to obtain cost estimates for conversion and contract a study on real estate market conditions to support revenue projections. The bill does not change state law or mandate repurposing - only requires this analysis be conducted and reported to legislative committees. The report will inform future decisions about vacant state properties, directly affecting state budget planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's workforce development commissioner to prioritize job training programs focused on high-wage, high-demand careers when awarding competitive grants. It directly affects organizations applying for state job training grants by mandating that grant awards give preference to programs targeting these specific careers. The key provision amends statute 116J.035 to add a new requirement that the commissioner must prioritize such programs, with "high-wage, high-demand" defined by another statute (116L.99). This creates a concrete policy change in how grant funds are distributed for workforce development.

Maddy summarySF 241 requires Minnesota's legislature to approve any extension of a governor-declared peacetime emergency beyond 30 days. Currently, emergencies expire after 30 days without legislative action, but this bill mandates a majority vote in both the Senate and House to extend them further, with each extension limited to an additional 30 days. It prevents governors from circumventing this requirement by declaring a new emergency for the same ongoing situation. The bill directly affects governors' authority to manage emergencies and the legislature's role in overseeing emergency declarations. It applies specifically to peacetime emergencies (not wartime), covering events like natural disasters, cyberattacks, or civil disturbances.

Maddy summarySF 237 expands Minnesota's Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program by adding "agricultural processing" (defined as transforming livestock products into goods for consumption or nonfood use) to the list of eligible project types. It also clarifies that industrial park development qualifies for grants even if no specific businesses have committed to locate there at the time of application. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 116J.431, subdivision 2, to include these provisions, allowing counties and cities to apply for grants covering eligible infrastructure projects. This change directly affects rural communities seeking to support manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and commercial development through public infrastructure funding.

Maddy summarySF 229 amends Minnesota's workforce development law to require the state workforce board to include "county labor force participation rates" as a standard economic indicator when deciding how to allocate workforce development funds. This means the board must examine whether people in each county are working or seeking work (alongside other data like layoffs, job vacancies, and unemployment claims) before approving training programs for current workers. The change directly affects the state workforce board and local workforce planning, ensuring county-level economic health is factored into funding decisions for programs like incumbent worker training. The bill does not create new funding but adjusts the criteria used to distribute existing workforce development resources.

Maddy summarySF 225 prevents Minnesota cities from requiring special "planned unit development agreements" for residential projects that already follow existing zoning rules or qualify as conditional uses. It requires municipalities to publicly post these agreements online at least seven days before council review (or make them available at city hall if no website exists), and prohibits modifying approved agreements without all parties' consent. The bill directly affects developers building planned unit developments and homeowners in those communities by limiting city control over project terms and increasing transparency. Key provisions include banning unnecessary agreements for compliant projects, mandating public access to agreements before voting, and restricting post-approval changes.