Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summaryThis bill increases minimum liability coverage for traumatic brain injuries from $40,000 to $80,000 per person, split between medical costs ($40,000) and other losses ($40,000). It requires motorcycle insurance policies to include uninsured/underinsured coverage (previously only liability coverage was mandatory for motorcycles). The bill also establishes a traumatic brain injury recovery account funded by a new surcharge on auto insurance policies, with insurers required to notify policyholders about the program. These changes apply to policies issued or renewed on or after August 1, 2025, directly affecting motorcycle owners, brain injury victims, and auto insurers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $20 million in one-time funding for Minnesota's fiscal year 2026 to support teacher candidates during student teaching. It requires nonprofits to provide stipends of at least $15 per hour to candidates completing 12+ weeks of student teaching in approved teacher preparation programs. The stipends are paid directly to students and cannot reduce their existing financial aid. The funds are distributed through grants to nonprofits with experience handling student data, with up to 5% of the grant covering administrative costs.

Maddy summarySF 1346 requires companies with permits to harvest or destroy aquatic plants in Minnesota's public waters to follow new safety rules when using scuba diving equipment. It mandates annual third-party hazard surveys by qualified safety professionals, requires divers to hold nationally certified training, and blocks permits for businesses with recent scuba-related safety violations. The bill directly affects commercial aquatic plant management companies operating in Minnesota, adding safety documentation and certification requirements to their permit process. These provisions aim to reduce diving-related injuries by ensuring proper equipment, training, and risk assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two grant programs to address Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in Minnesota. The Health Department must award grants to improve education and awareness for healthcare providers, ME/CFS patients, and the public through evidence-based materials and symptom recognition training. The Human Services Department must award separate grants to create or enhance access to support services - including counseling, care coordination, transportation, and workplace accommodations - for individuals experiencing ME/CFS symptoms. Both programs require collaboration with the ME/CFS community (including patients, providers, and experts) and prioritize outreach to underserved groups like rural communities, Tribal Nations, and marginalized populations. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers $200,000 from Minnesota's general fund to the Help America Vote Act account for fiscal year 2026. The funds are specifically designated to meet the state's matching requirement under the federal Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-47). It does not create new policies or directly affect voters or election administration, but ensures Minnesota complies with federal funding obligations for election systems. The transfer is procedural and administrative in nature.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 3346 authorizes cities of the first class (like Minneapolis) to create designated "social districts" where people can consume alcohol purchased from nearby licensed establishments. The bill requires cities to formally designate district boundaries, hours, and safety plans via ordinance, and mandates special non-glass containers with clear labeling (including "Drink Responsibly - Be 21" and a 16-ounce limit). It prohibits alcohol consumption outside designated areas, requires disposal before exiting the district (except when re-entering the purchase location), and mandates a city report to legislators within 24 months evaluating community impact and safety. This directly affects city governments, licensed bars, and residents/businesses near designated zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to Community Mediation Minnesota to administer a statewide family mediation pilot program. The funds will support services for grandparents and families facing disputes, including dispute resolution, increasing access to mediation, training mediators, and partnering with culturally specific programs. Key provisions require the program to provide family reconnection coaching, navigation services, and integrate with legal and court resources, while also evaluating program effectiveness. This is a one-time appropriation focused on expanding mediation access, not a law changing legal standards.

Maddy summarySF 2205 establishes a 13-member task force to study insurance affordability for homeowners, renters, and small businesses in Minnesota. The task force, including members from insurance groups, housing organizations, and climate experts, will examine factors like risk mitigation, liability laws, coverage notice rules, reinsurance markets, and climate-related claim costs. It must submit recommendations to state agencies and legislators by February 15, 2026, after reviewing these issues. The bill appropriates $200,000 for the task force’s operations but does not enact new insurance rules. This is a study-focused bill, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates certain sales and use tax exemptions and imposes a new 2% gross receipts tax on specific business-to-business services in Minnesota. It directly affects businesses providing professional services (like legal, accounting, consulting, and repair services) to other businesses, requiring them to pay tax on their gross receipts from these transactions. The tax applies to 18 service categories listed in the bill, including management consulting, computer services, and automotive repair. Businesses may collect the tax from their clients but are not required to do so, and the tax is in addition to existing state taxes. The bill repeals several existing tax exemptions to implement this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota's medical assistance program pays birth centers for maternity services. Currently, birth centers receive 70% of hospital rates for uncomplicated births; the bill changes this to 100% of hospital rates starting January 1, 2027 (or after federal approval). It also adjusts payments for nursery care and professional services provided by licensed midwives, requiring full reimbursement for comprehensive maternal care within a birth center's scope. The changes directly affect licensed birth centers and the state's medical assistance program, which covers low-income residents' healthcare.