Sen. Carla Nelson

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2879 modifies eligibility rules for the state's small business investment tax credit. It raises the private equity investment cap from $4 million to $15 million and clarifies that qualifying businesses must have at least 51% of employees, payroll, and contractual agreements tied to Minnesota operations. The bill also updates restrictions on business activities (excluding certain sectors like real estate) and requires businesses to avoid public stock exchanges for 180 days after receiving qualifying investments. These changes aim to make the credit more accessible to small Minnesota businesses engaged in innovation, as defined under Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.8737.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates specific funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to create technology portals on the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) website. The portals will directly connect vulnerable children and families with community support systems, including churches, nonprofits, and civic organizations. The funding is a one-time appropriation from the general fund, requiring DCYF to develop and implement these online tools. The bill focuses on improving access to existing community resources through a digital platform, without altering eligibility or service requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota schools from listing parents' home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal contact information as "directory information" that is publicly available. It directly affects parents (by preventing their contact details from being shared without consent) and school districts (which must stop designating such information as public). The key provision amends state law to explicitly ban treating parent contact details as directory information, except for limited voter outreach during school referendums (with strict 15-day data retention rules). The change takes effect immediately upon enactment, requiring schools to treat parent contact information as private data regardless of prior designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts electrical, electronic, and mechanical parts (like motors) used in upholstered furniture and textile furnishings from Minnesota's PFAS chemical restrictions until January 1, 2032. It directly affects furniture manufacturers and suppliers who incorporate these components into their products. The exemption modifies Minnesota Statutes section 116.943, subdivision 8(c), allowing continued use of PFAS-containing parts in these specific components during a transition period. This change does not apply to medical devices, used products, or products subject to federal regulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4.9 million from the general fund for the Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a base appropriation of $4.9 million continuing annually starting in 2028. The funding is directed to the commissioner of public safety to support the Task Force's operations. The bill directly affects the Task Force by providing dedicated state funding for its work on human trafficking investigations. It does not create new policies but ensures ongoing financial support for an existing state-level law enforcement initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases a tax subtraction for Minnesota taxpayers who volunteer as drivers for charitable organizations. It allows volunteers to subtract mileage reimbursement received from charities that exceeds the IRS standard mileage rate (currently $0.67/mile for 2024), up to a maximum of $2.00 per mile. The provision directly affects volunteer drivers whose charitable organizations reimburse them for mileage beyond the IRS rate. The subtraction applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and the dollar amount is adjusted annually per state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million from state bond proceeds to fund Minnesota town roads and bridges, directly affecting local town governments that maintain these infrastructure assets. It allocates $25 million specifically for town roads and $10 million for town bridges, to be distributed by the state transportation commissioner per existing law. The funding will be provided through the sale of up to $35 million in state bonds, following established bonding procedures under Minnesota statutes.

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.

Maddy summarySF 2327 creates a Minnesota-specific New Markets tax credit program to incentivize investments in low-income communities. It allocates $100 million for investments in "qualified active low-income community businesses" in Greater Minnesota (non-metro counties) and $100 million for similar investments in metro counties. Investors receive tax credits over six years (0% for first two years, 10% annually for the next five) based on equity investments in qualifying community development financial institutions. The program requires businesses to meet specific criteria, such as having principal operations in low-income areas and employing at least 60% of workers locally. The Department of Revenue will administer the credit and report on its implementation.

Maddy summarySF 1457 requires all Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans by the 2026-2027 school year. The plan must include AED placement guidelines, annual staff training in CPR and AED use, cardiac emergency simulations before each school year, and clear protocols for responding to cardiac arrests on school grounds or at school events. The bill appropriates $2 million (available until June 2027) to help schools purchase AEDs, CPR equipment, and cover related training costs. It directly affects schools, athletic programs through the Minnesota State High School League, and school staff responsible for emergency response.