Sen. Gene Dornink

Maddy summarySF 1209 authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $50 million in bonds to fund agricultural loans for farmers. It appropriates $30 million from bond proceeds specifically for the Rural Finance Authority to provide loans under five programs, prioritizing beginning farmers first, followed by seller-sponsored and agricultural improvement loans. The bill establishes that debt service on these bonds must be repaid by the Authority and requires loan participations to cover full interest and principal. This directly affects Minnesota farmers seeking agricultural financing through the state's designated loan programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's earned sick and safe time laws (Minnesota Statutes sections 181.9445-181.9448) to clarify employer definitions and adjust key provisions. It specifies that employers with 15+ employees (including nonprofits, government entities, and staffing agencies) must provide at least 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours worked (capped at 48 hours yearly). Employers may either allow unused time to carry over (up to 80 hours total) or pay out unused time at year-end, with options for prorated initial employment time. The bill also updates notice requirements, allowing up to seven days' advance notice for foreseeable absences and mandating written policies for employees.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 22, 2025, as Tom Kesti Day to honor the late Duluth carpenter and community member. The bill formally recognizes Kesti's life achievements, including his work with the Carpenters Union, his contributions to local projects like the Duluth Technology Village, and his volunteer efforts. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the resolution and send it to Kesti's family. This measure is a commemorative act that does not alter any laws or government policies.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a Consumer Protection Restitution Account to handle funds recovered by the Minnesota Attorney General in consumer enforcement actions. It requires 50% of money recovered in such cases (that isn't designated for specific compensation) to be deposited into this account, while the other 50% goes to the general fund. The account funds are used to distribute unpaid restitution to eligible consumers (victims of unlawful business practices) who have final court orders but haven't received compensation, prioritizing cases with the oldest final orders. This directly affects consumers who were victims of fraud or deceptive practices and the Attorney General's office managing these funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain workers in positions regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (like commercial truck drivers or pilots) from Minnesota's earned sick and safe time law. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 181.9445 to add a new exemption category for individuals in roles where the U.S. DOT sets qualifications and work-hour limits under federal law (49 U.S.C. § 31502). The change directly affects employers hiring these workers in Minnesota, removing the requirement to provide paid sick time for them. The provision applies to positions specifically governed by federal DOT regulations, not all transportation workers. This is a technical adjustment to the state's sick leave law, not a broader policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1158) allows state troopers, commercial vehicle inspectors, and Capitol security officers to purchase their surplus badges from the commissioner at fair market value when they leave or retire. It amends Minnesota law to permit the sale of badges that were issued during their employment, including those bearing pre-May 11, 2024 seals or retired personnel badges. Employees can buy these badges whether currently working or retired, with the price set by the commissioner based on fair market value. The bill does not provide badges for free but establishes a process for employees to repurchase their former equipment. This is a procedural change affecting specific state law enforcement roles.

Maddy summarySF 3188 amends Minnesota law to change how school districts calculate the minimum funding they must reserve for area learning centers. It modifies the calculation by removing "basic skills revenue, local optional revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue" from the formula, requiring districts to reserve at least 90% of the adjusted general education revenue per student attending these centers. This affects school districts that operate or send students to area learning centers or alternative learning programs. The change takes effect for fiscal year 2026 and later, ensuring funds are reserved specifically for program costs at these centers.

Maddy summarySF 3050 allows union members in Minnesota to choose how their dues are allocated, directly affecting both public and private sector union members. The bill amends state laws to require unions to inform members they can direct all or part of their dues to a local, state, or national organization of their choice. Employers must process these allocation requests via payroll deduction within 30 days, with clear authorization forms and union notification requirements. This changes existing dues remittance practices without altering dues amounts or creating new funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's paid leave law by changing the definition of "employer" to specifically exclude townships that meet certain revenue requirements under state law. It removes townships (local government units) from the list of entities required to provide paid leave to their employees, but only for townships meeting the revenue threshold outlined in section 367.36, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). The change affects only townships meeting this specific financial criterion, leaving counties, cities, school districts, and other public entities subject to the paid leave requirements. This is a technical clarification to the existing law, not a new policy.