Sen. Rich Draheim

Maddy summarySF 906 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the Housing Finance Agency for a one-time grant program supporting housing infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota (outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area). The funds will be used to provide grants for housing development projects, specifically under Minnesota Statutes section 462A.395. This bill directly affects housing providers and communities in Greater Minnesota by providing targeted funding for infrastructure needs. The key mechanism is a single fiscal year 2026 appropriation to expand housing development resources in underserved regions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3495) changes Minnesota's rulemaking process by requiring state agencies to obtain both legislative approval and the governor's signature before most administrative rules take effect. It applies directly to state agencies that create rules (e.g., for environmental, health, or business regulations), mandating that proposed rules cannot become effective until the legislature passes a law approving them and the governor signs it within one year of the rule's notice. The bill adds a requirement that agencies publish a notice of this ratification in the State Register within five days. Emergency rules adopted under section 12.22 are exempt from this process.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a pilot program to buy out properties damaged by flooding. It directly affects owners of commercial, industrial, and residential properties repeatedly flooded in Minnesota. The program requires the commissioner of natural resources to purchase eligible properties and place 50-year deed restrictions prohibiting future commercial, industrial, or residential construction on those sites. The commissioner may later sell or dispose of the properties under applicable law. This is a limited funding initiative for a specific flood mitigation approach.

Maddy summarySF 3409 creates a new type of disability parking certificate specifically for cancer patients in Minnesota. It allows individuals diagnosed with cancer who experience mobility issues due to their condition or treatment to qualify for parking permits. To qualify, applicants must submit a medical statement confirming a cancer diagnosis, related mobility impacts (like difficulty moving safely in parking areas), and that these issues will last at least 30 days. The certificate is valid for up to 12 months and grants the same parking privileges as standard disability permits, but only when the vehicle is being used to transport the person with the certificate. This directly affects cancer patients seeking temporary parking accommodations during treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Corrections to charge fees for communication services (like phone calls, video chats, or messaging) used by incarcerated people in state facilities. The fees must cover only the actual cost of providing these services, not generate profit, and facilities must continue offering services they provided as of January 1, 2023. It also mandates annual reporting on fee amounts, costs, and usage data. The policy directly affects incarcerated individuals and facilities, ensuring communication services remain accessible while preventing state revenue generation from these fees.

Maddy summarySF 3483 appropriates $6 million from state bond proceeds to fund the renovation of Le Sueur's existing city hall building, repurposing it as a public safety center. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds up to $6 million to provide this funding, which will cover predesign, design, construction, and equipment for the project. This directly affects the city of Le Sueur, which will receive the grant to complete the renovation. The funds are specifically designated for transforming the current city hall into a facility serving public safety needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development to ensure call center operations for the state's paid leave program are fully operational by January 1, 2026. It directly affects the paid leave program's implementation, ensuring customers can access support on the program's launch date. The key provision mandates that the call center must be ready to provide customer service on day one of the program's rollout. The requirement takes effect the day after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that individuals receiving Minnesota's disability waiver services can be billed for certain personal care services (like respite and overnight supervision) when temporarily traveling out of state or attending out-of-state college. It requires the state Human Services Commissioner to propose changes to Medicaid waiver plans by December 1, 2025, to explicitly include these services under "direct care staff services" for out-of-state use. The change directly affects waiver participants who travel or attend school outside Minnesota, ensuring they can access covered services without billing barriers during temporary absences. The policy update modifies existing waiver program rules to align with current service delivery needs during travel.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for Minnesotans to retreat before using reasonable force to defend themselves or others from imminent harm. It directly affects individuals facing immediate threats by changing Minnesota Statutes § 609.06, which now states that a person may use reasonable force under certain circumstances (like resisting an offense against themselves) without needing to retreat first. The key provision removes the "duty to retreat" standard from the legal definition of self-defense. The amendment takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to acts committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires inspectors to mail written notice to property owners before entering private land for noxious weed inspections. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.79, subdivision 3, to mandate this mailed notice as a prerequisite for entry. The change directly affects property owners by giving them advance written notification before inspections occur. Inspectors retain authority to enter without owner consent for enforcement under sections 18.76-18.91, but must now provide mailed notice first. The bill focuses solely on the procedural requirement for notification, not on the inspection outcomes or policy goals.