Sen. Liz Boldon

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 3311 would adjust Minnesota's corporate franchise tax rate based on changes to federal corporate tax rates. Specifically, it requires the tax commissioner to automatically increase the state's base 9.8% corporate franchise tax rate by the same percentage that the federal corporate tax rate decreased (as referenced in Public Law 115-97), rounded to the nearest 0.05%. This bill directly affects corporations operating in Minnesota that pay the state's franchise tax. The adjustment mechanism is contingent solely on federal tax rate changes and takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of a "debt buyer" to clarify that businesses purchasing unpaid medical bills for collection purposes are considered debt buyers, while excluding nonprofits buying accounts for charitable reasons. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit organization, to relieve medical debt for eligible Minnesotans who couldn't pay after hospitals completed reasonable collection efforts. The grant is available until June 30, 2028, and requires Undue Medical Debt to report recipient data to the Commerce Commissioner and Attorney General. The bill directly affects debt collection practices and provides targeted financial relief for residents burdened by unaffordable medical bills.

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 3390 appropriates $10 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund an expanded corporate tax compliance initiative by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The initiative targets corporations with $25 million or more in Minnesota sales or gross receipts that may not be accurately reporting income or paying all owed taxes. It focuses on enhancing enforcement activities to identify and collect unpaid corporate franchise taxes, with funds available until July 1, 2029. This is a funding measure, not a new tax policy, and must supplement existing resources without replacing them.

Maddy summarySF 1807 requires social media platforms operating in Minnesota to display a mental health warning label every time a user accesses the platform. The label must warn users about potential negative mental health impacts and provide access to crisis resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and cannot be hidden or disabled except by exiting the platform or acknowledging the warning. Additionally, platforms must show a pop-up timer notification every 30 minutes (customizable up to 60 minutes) reminding users of their daily usage time. The law applies to all social media platforms in Minnesota and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance plans from requiring prior authorization (insurance approval) for antineoplastic cancer treatments (except for medications themselves), directly affecting cancer patients and their insurers. It also bans denials of coverage based solely on when a healthcare service was provided. Additionally, the bill mandates expedited review for prescriptions that were previously approved or covered for the same patient. These changes aim to reduce delays in accessing critical cancer care by streamlining the insurance approval process. The provisions apply to health benefit plans offered on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 2392 expands an existing carve-out from prior authorization requirements for specific mental health medications under Minnesota's Medicaid program. The bill directly affects Medicaid patients prescribed certain mental health drugs (like antipsychotics, antidepressants, or antianxiety medications) by preventing prior authorization barriers when: no generic equivalent exists; the drug was prescribed before July 1, 2003; or it's part of the patient's current treatment. Key provisions include automatically granting 60 days of prior authorization for brand-name mental health drugs when a generic becomes available, provided the brand was already in the patient's treatment. This reduces administrative hurdles for patients and providers while maintaining existing prior authorization rules for other medications.

Maddy summarySF 2149 modifies Minnesota's labor laws regarding wages for workers with disabilities and online continuing education standards. It prohibits employers from paying disabled workers less than the minimum wage after August 1, 2026 (for new hires) and August 1, 2028 (for all employees), eliminating the use of federal "section 14(c)" certificates that previously allowed subminimum wages. The bill also establishes detailed technical requirements for internet-based continuing education courses, including encryption, identity verification, interactivity standards, and specific content features. These changes directly affect employers (particularly those using special certificates) and training providers for professions like manufactured home installers and elevator constructors. The bill does not address earned sick and safe time provisions, as referenced in its title.

Maddy summarySF 509 modifies Minnesota's health licensing rules to create a "limited license" for foreign medical graduates who practiced outside the U.S. for at least 60 months in the past decade. It requires these license holders to work in designated rural or underserved areas under collaborative agreements with U.S. physicians, submit periodic certification, and be paid at least resident-level wages. Employers must carry medical malpractice insurance for these license holders and cannot retaliate against them for reporting violations. The bill also establishes a path to a full license after two years of practice (1,692 hours annually), passing all USMLE/COMLEX exams, and providing employer recommendations. This directly affects foreign-trained doctors seeking to practice in Minnesota, particularly in underserved communities.