Sen. Carla Nelson

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to create a statewide education campaign. The campaign targets Minnesota employers, aiming to inform them about the benefits of hiring people with past convictions and available state/federal incentives. Key components include developing an informational website and operating a dedicated hotline service. The funding is one-time, not recurring, and focuses solely on providing employers with practical resources about second-chance hiring.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts grain bins, related construction materials and supplies, and tractor tires from Minnesota's sales and use taxes. It directly affects agricultural businesses and farmers purchasing these items for farm operations. The bill amends tax code to expand an existing grain bin exemption to include associated materials/supplies and explicitly add tractor tires to the list of exempt items. The exemption applies to purchases made after June 30, 2025. This creates a concrete policy change by removing tax burdens on these specific agricultural inputs.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Minnesota to return excess tax revenue to taxpayers. It would create a "Minnesota tax relief account" funded by revenues exceeding 105% of projected spending, as determined in the biennial budget forecast. Funds in the account must be used for tax refunds or rebates (non-taxable to recipients) or to offset costs of tax reductions. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election. It directly affects all Minnesota taxpayers by mandating a mechanism to return surplus state revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $450,000 for fiscal years 2026-2027 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 to fund employment support services for individuals with disabilities in Minnesota. It directs funds to Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) for two specific programs: (1) grants to create inclusive employment opportunities, and (2) career skills training using virtual reality tools. MDI must report on participant demographics, program hours, employer outreach, and recommendations by January 2028. The funding is one-time and focuses on expanding accessible job training and placement services for people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax code by excluding charitable contributions from the list of itemized deductions taxpayers can claim. It directly affects high-income individuals (with adjusted gross income over $220,650) who file itemized tax returns and previously deducted charitable donations. The key change removes charitable contributions (under subdivision 4 of section 290.0122) from the calculation of allowable itemized deductions, meaning these donations will no longer reduce taxable income for affected taxpayers. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's school health education requirements to mandate comprehensive cannabis and substance use education programs for middle and high school students, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. School districts and charter schools must implement programs covering topics like fentanyl use, emphasizing respect for community values and encouraging students to discuss concerns with parents or trusted adults. The programs must also connect students to local resources for accurate information and treatment options regarding substance use. These requirements apply to all public schools in Minnesota and align with existing education statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $550,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $550,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's workforce development fund to the International Institute of Minnesota. The funds will support workforce training programs for immigrants and refugees (referred to as "New Americans" in the bill) in industries facing labor shortages. The training aims to connect these individuals with job opportunities in high-demand sectors. This is a one-time funding allocation, not an ongoing program.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the definition of a "residential generator" under Minnesota's waste management rules. It specifies that residential generators include detached single-family homes, multi-unit buildings with separate billing (like apartments), multi-unit buildings without separate billing (where owners/associations pay directly), and certain nonprofit organizations handling donations. The change affects property owners, associations, and waste service providers by determining which entities qualify for residential waste billing rates. The updated definition takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not create new taxes or fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2466) modifies Minnesota's Paid Leave Law to clarify who qualifies for benefits. It updates definitions to include employees working primarily in Minnesota (50% of hours) or working across states with Minnesota residence (50% of year), while excluding self-employed workers, independent contractors, and seasonal hospitality workers (defined as ≤180 days/year in hospitality with specific revenue thresholds). The bill also expands the definition of "family member" to include in-laws and individuals with personal care relationships, and allows the state to contract private companies to process benefits and handle tax withholdings. These changes affect Minnesota workers, employers, and self-employed individuals seeking paid leave under the law.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 2332 authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DVS) to issue electronic driver's licenses that comply with national standards. It requires secure authentication for businesses or government entities (relying parties) accepting these licenses, prohibits tracking without consent, and mandates privacy protections for user data. Drivers must still carry a physical license while operating a vehicle but can present electronic versions without surrendering devices. Electronic credentials will incur an additional fee and expire according to existing license schedules. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with rulemaking starting immediately after enactment.