Sen. Carla Nelson

Maddy summarySF 3141 modifies Minnesota's paid leave program by clarifying eligibility definitions. It excludes seasonal hospitality workers (defined as those employed ≤150 days annually in hospitality) from coverage unless their employer elects to include them. The bill also updates rules for small employers, allowing them to opt into providing paid leave coverage for their employees. Additionally, it expands the definition of "family member" to include up to one annually designated individual with a personal relationship, beyond the existing list of relatives. These changes affect workers, employers, and family members seeking paid leave benefits under the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies an existing appropriation of $1,347,000 for Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) in Minnesota. It specifically directs funds toward renovating Career and Technical Education space and replacing part of the roof at RCTC's Heintz Center. The amendment changes how the previously allocated capital investment funds will be used, narrowing the purpose to these two defined projects. The bill does not create new funding but reallocates existing state capital funds for these specific campus improvements. The change becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a rebate program for facilities that divert materials from landfills. Resource recovery and waste-to-energy facilities must report annually (by February 1) on tons of recyclable/compostable materials separated from waste streams and reused/recycled, or combustor ash utilized in construction. The commissioner of revenue will issue rebates of $30 per ton for materials in categories (1)-(3) and $20 per ton for categories (4)-(5) using tax revenues allocated under section 297H.13. The rebate program begins July 1, 2025, and is funded from the same tax revenues that support the environmental fund.

Maddy summarySF 676 requires Minnesota school principals to provide teachers and parents with timely notice (within 24-48 hours) of violent incidents causing injuries on school grounds or at school events, including whether videos exist and if weapons were involved. The notice must not reveal student identities and must use contact methods parents have consented to. The bill also prohibits schools from retaliating against staff who report, discuss, or participate in investigations about school violence. This law applies to all public and charter schools starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The funds are specifically designated to implement the University of Minnesota's Health Sciences Strategic Plan at the Rochester campus and address critical healthcare challenges in Minnesota. The bill does not create new policy but provides targeted funding for an existing strategic plan.

Maddy summarySF 1581 extends the deadline for using funds to implement the Capitol Mall Design Framework until June 30, 2025. It appropriates $4.5 million in fiscal year 2026 to the city of St. Paul for Capitol Area livability, economic health, and safety improvements, including $500,000 for the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board to provide technical assistance to residents and businesses navigating community grants. The bill cancels unspent funds from a 2023 account and repeals the prior law establishing that account. These changes directly affect St. Paul's Capitol Area community planning and grant programs.

Maddy summarySF 2162 allows cities and counties to adopt approved alternative road design standards for state-aid projects without needing state variance approvals. Local road authorities can use specific guides like AASHTO's highway standards or NACTO's urban design guides, eliminating the need for state review of designs meeting these standards. The bill requires the state commissioner to notify legislators within 30 days if a variance is denied, including the advisory committee's reasoning. This directly affects local governments managing road projects by streamlining design approvals while maintaining safety standards for nonmotorized transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the age for teachers with 30+ years of service to qualify for reduced early retirement penalties from 62 to 60. It amends Minnesota Statutes §354.44, subdivision 6, changing the rule that previously applied a penalty for retiring before age 62. Teachers meeting the 30-year service requirement would no longer face a reduction in benefits for retiring at age 60 or older. The bill also clarifies postretirement adjustment timing but focuses primarily on the age reduction for eligible educators. This change directly affects current and future Minnesota Teachers Retirement Association members with substantial service history.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts property owned and operated by congressionally chartered veterans service organizations from Minnesota's property tax classification rates. It establishes a specific tax exemption for qualifying property under existing law, removing the standard 1.25% classification rate applied to similar properties. The exemption requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to provide an annual list of eligible organizations to the commissioner of revenue by January 1. The change takes effect for property assessments beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the statewide tax levy for commercial-industrial properties from $716,990,000 to $684,990,000 annually, effective for property taxes payable in 2026 and beyond. It directly affects commercial and industrial property owners across Minnesota by lowering their state tax burden. The change modifies Minnesota Statutes section 275.025, specifically adjusting the fixed levy amount without altering local tax rates or government levy calculations. The reduction amounts to approximately $32 million per year in state tax revenue for these properties.