Sen. Carla Nelson

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers $1.425 million from the state general fund to a special account that provides low-interest or no-interest loans to Minnesota farmers. The funds support agricultural best management practices - conservation methods farmers use to protect soil and water quality. The transfer applies to fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a base amount of $1.425 million starting in 2028. This enables farmers to access loans for implementing these conservation practices through an existing state program.

Maddy summarySF 1339 appropriates $20 million from state bonds to fund the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure grant program, administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The bill authorizes the sale of up to $20 million in state bonds to provide these funds specifically for housing infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota (non-Metro areas). This funding supports housing development through grants under Minnesota Statutes section 462A.395, targeting infrastructure needs like water, sewer, or site preparation for housing projects. The bill directly affects eligible housing developers and communities in Greater Minnesota by providing dedicated capital for infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summarySF 1820 prohibits the approval of inhaled cannabis products containing added flavors like fruit, mint, chocolate, or vanilla, or that use misleading images or language suggesting a non-cannabis flavor. This bill directly affects cannabis manufacturers seeking to sell inhaled products in Minnesota and the state office responsible for product approvals. The law amends Minnesota Statutes section 342.06 to add these specific restrictions to the list of prohibited product characteristics. The change aims to prevent products that could appeal to children or mislead consumers about flavor.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $15 million grant program to expand capacity in Minnesota's accredited dental assisting and hygiene education programs. The grants fund specific projects like upgrading clinic facilities, creating new classrooms, offering student scholarships, improving faculty pay, and purchasing equipment. Higher education programs must apply for funding, with priority given to those that best increase student enrollment and workforce pipeline capacity. The funds are a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2027, for programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Maddy summarySF 1724 modifies Minnesota's sales tax rules for construction materials used by specific public and nonprofit entities. It adds new exemptions for contractors purchasing materials for projects involving schools, local governments, hospitals, nursing homes, public libraries, and certain nonprofits. Instead of receiving immediate tax exemption, contractors pay the full sales tax upfront and then apply for a refund under revised Section 297A.75. The bill takes effect for sales after June 30, 2025, streamlining tax treatment for qualifying construction projects.

Maddy summarySF 1502 amends Minnesota's Read Act to require public schools to use evidence-based reading instruction grounded in "science of reading" research, directly affecting K-3 students and educators statewide. The bill mandates schools adopt approved screeners for foundational reading skills, use specific evidence-based intervention models (approved by the Department of Education and CAREI), and provide professional development focused on structured literacy. It explicitly excludes the "three-cueing system" and requires the Department of Education to develop templates for local literacy plans and track implementation. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with key deadlines for approving interventions and screeners by June 2025. The bill cancels existing appropriations while redirecting resources toward evidence-based literacy implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to expand the definition of a "prior qualified human trafficking-related offense" for sentencing purposes. It changes the definition to include any prior conviction or adjudication for human trafficking-related violations committed at any time in a person's lifetime (not just within the past ten years), as well as similar offenses from other states. This affects individuals convicted of human trafficking crimes under Minnesota law or comparable out-of-state laws, potentially increasing sentencing severity based on broader prior offense history. The amendment applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1500 modifies Minnesota's driver and vehicle services by changing fee structures and adding online renewal options. It imposes an $8 fee for vehicle registration renewals and a $12 fee for other transactions (like new registrations), while eliminating fees for refunds, corrections, and permanent title surrenders. The bill establishes online renewal for driver's licenses (both REAL ID-compliant and noncompliant) under specific conditions, such as no identity changes and having a recent photo on file. It also allocates fees to state accounts (including technology and operating funds) and requires quarterly payments to deputy registrars for processing no-fee transactions ($9 per renewal, $13 per other transaction). The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows transit operators (like city bus systems) that run third-party driver testing programs to partner with other transit operators to test their bus drivers. It directly affects transit agencies that provide or receive these testing services. The key provision requires such agreements between transit operators to be approved by the state transportation commissioner, and the testing provider can be reimbursed by the agency whose drivers are tested. The bill expands existing rules for school bus testing to apply specifically to transit bus drivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to the Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation. It funds the "Carts to Careers" initiative, which provides job skills training, outreach, and scholarships for people seeking careers in the food retail industry. The grant supports workforce development activities like certifications and training to strengthen the food industry job pipeline. This one-time funding directly benefits job seekers in Minnesota's grocery sector and the Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation as the recipient.