Sen. Carla Nelson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes licensure for anesthesiologist assistants in Minnesota, creating a new regulatory chapter to oversee this allied health profession. It requires anesthesiologist assistants to work under the supervision of a physician and defines their role as individuals who perform delegated duties in anesthesia care. To obtain a license, applicants must graduate from an accredited program, pass a national certification exam, and meet state-specific requirements including a collaborative practice agreement with a supervising physician. The bill also creates a provisional license option for individuals who may not fully meet all standard requirements but can demonstrate sufficient remediation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses in Minnesota tourism improvement districts to pass along service charges to customers, similar to how they currently handle sales tax. It modifies state tax definitions to clarify that these service charges are not included in the sales price for tax purposes, provided they are separately listed on receipts or invoices. The legislation also defines how service charges can be calculated, including options like a percentage of gross revenue or a fixed amount per transaction, and permits businesses to choose whether to collect these charges from purchasers. These changes apply retroactively to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2025, and July 1, 2025, respectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's laws regarding fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, specifically updating how deadly force is used during police pursuits and addressing civil liability. It clarifies that officers may use deadly force only when there is an immediate threat of death or great bodily harm to others, and it adds protections for individuals with disabilities who may struggle to understand or comply with officer commands. The legislation also grants peace officers immunity from criminal and civil liability for injuries or property damage caused during authorized pursuit interventions, while holding drivers who flee in multi-wheeled vehicles civilly liable if an intervention technique is used. These changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 3753 modifies Minnesota's sales tax law to exempt certain nonprofit organizations from paying tax on prepared food purchases. Specifically, it adds a new provision (subdivision 4(e)) clarifying that prepared food bought by nonprofits operating for charitable, religious, or educational purposes is tax-exempt when distributed as part of their exempt activities. This directly affects nonprofits like community kitchens, shelters, or schools that serve meals while conducting their core mission. The change removes a current tax barrier for these organizations, effective for sales after June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus displaying flashing red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It directly affects all drivers approaching school buses on Minnesota roads, mandating they remain stopped until the red lights cease flashing. The bill also adds a new provision warning drivers that amber lights indicate red lights will soon activate, requiring them to prepare to stop. These changes aim to improve safety for children near school bus stops. The bill is currently pending passage after committee approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the Minnesota Department of Revenue issues revenue rulings, which are official policy statements that help taxpayers understand how state tax laws apply to specific situations. The legislation establishes new procedures for taxpayers to request revenue rulings from the commissioner and sets fee requirements for these requests. It also clarifies that revenue rulings do not have the force of law and cannot be applied retroactively to harm taxpayers, while allowing the commissioner to revoke or modify rulings when laws change. The bill requires the commissioner to report on revenue ruling activities and includes provisions for public notification before rulings are published.

Maddy summarySF 3684 modifies Minnesota's Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grants Program to increase the maximum grant amount for library renovations, expansions, or new construction from $1 million to $2 million (or 50% of approved costs, whichever is less). It changes the required matching funds from "local" to "non-state" funds, allowing libraries to use broader non-state funding sources like private donations or local revenue. The bill appropriates $10 million in state bond proceeds to fund the program, with bonds authorized for sale to cover this cost. These changes will take effect for grants awarded after June 30, 2026, directly affecting public library jurisdictions statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3361) provides temporary relief for Minnesota school districts from certain new state education mandates. It allows districts to transfer unassigned funds between operating accounts for fiscal years 2025-2029 without increasing state aid or property taxes, requiring written resolutions and public posting. Additionally, districts may formally opt out of complying with specific newly enacted state education laws or rules (referenced as Laws 2023 ch. 53-59 and 2024 ch. 109-115) for the 2025-2026 through 2028-2029 school years, provided they post decisions online and notify the commissioner. The relief applies only to mandates enacted during the 2023-2024 legislative sessions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Minnesota Secure Choice retirement program by updating definitions and operational requirements for employers and employees. It expands the program's annual reporting requirements to include details on financial performance, program expenses, participation statistics, and potential impacts on social safety net programs. The legislation clarifies which workers are excluded from automatic enrollment, such as those under 18, federal employees, and temporary workers hired for less than 180 days, while allowing some temporary workers to opt into the program. Additionally, the bill establishes specific enrollment windows for new employees and defines a 30-day waiting period for program participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows county commissioners in Minnesota to join the state's health care savings plan, which helps cover medical expenses after retirement. Under the new rules, commissioners who choose to participate must have their pay reduced during their term to match the county's contribution amount, and they must notify their county of their contribution level within 30 days of starting office. The plan requires that contributions be held in trust for eligible health expenses and gives participants control over how their savings are invested from a limited set of options. This change applies only to county commissioners and does not create new funding obligations for the state or require negotiations with employee unions.