Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $4 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's food shelf programs. The funds are directed to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for use under Minnesota Statutes section 142F.14, which governs community food shelf operations. The appropriation adds to the existing base funding for these programs, which provide emergency food assistance to Minnesotans facing food insecurity. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy requirements for the programs themselves.

Maddy summarySF 2104 requires health insurance companies in Minnesota to submit detailed data on fully denied health claims to the state's all-payer claims database. Specifically, insurers must include the reason for each denial, claim status, and a unique identifier linking the original claim to any follow-up actions. This data, which must be de-identified and include race/ethnicity where available, will help researchers and providers analyze denial patterns and improve healthcare access. The bill also establishes a fee schedule for researchers seeking expanded access to this database for public-benefit studies, while prohibiting uses that could reidentify individuals or create unfair market advantages.

Maddy summarySF 2125 increases payment rates for nonemergency medical transportation providers serving Minnesota health care program beneficiaries (such as Medicaid recipients). The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 256B.0625, specifically subdivision 17, to adjust the reimbursement rates these providers receive when transporting patients to covered medical appointments. This change directly affects transportation companies, ambulances, taxicabs, and public transit systems enrolled in Minnesota’s health care programs. The policy update ensures providers are compensated at higher rates for services that help beneficiaries access nonemergency medical care.

Maddy summarySF 1911 establishes the Minnesota Civic Fund program, replacing the existing political contribution refund program. It defines "contribution" to include Minnesota Civic Fund credits and requires political committees to forward anonymous contributions exceeding $20 to the state board. The bill also mandates that political committees report the value of redeemed Civic Fund credits on campaign finance disclosures. This directly affects political committees, candidates, and party units that receive contributions, changing how campaign funds are reported and managed under Minnesota's election laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain electric meters and software used in Rochester Public Utilities' Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project from Minnesota's sales and use tax. It applies to purchases made between July 1, 2024, and March 31, 2029, for equipment directly used in this specific project. The state will refund the tax collected on these items through the same process used for other qualifying infrastructure projects. Rochester Public Utilities directly benefits from this tax relief for their metering system upgrade.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $342,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $342,000 for fiscal year 2027 to the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council. The funding supports the council's existing statutory role under Minnesota Statutes section 256.4835, which requires the council to advise the legislature and state agencies on rare disease issues. This is a straightforward funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting the council's operations to continue its work supporting Minnesotans with rare diseases.

Maddy summarySF 1677 prohibits Minnesota legislators from acting as lobbyists for two years after leaving office. It directly affects all state legislators who complete their term or leave office, banning them from lobbying or registering as lobbyists during this period. The bill authorizes a civil penalty of up to $25,000 or the amount earned from violating the rule for any breach. This law applies to legislators whose service ends on or after its effective date, which is the day after final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 1176 appropriates $791,000 for 2026 and $1,628,000 for 2027 to fund P-TECH implementation grants through Minnesota's Department of Education. These grants support career-focused education programs (P-TECH) that combine high school and college coursework with industry partnerships, directly affecting school districts and their business collaborators. The bill specifies $500,000 annually for a public-private partnership involving Rochester Independent School District No. 535, with unused 2026 funds rolling over to 2027. Starting in 2028, the annual base appropriation is set at $2.625 million, maintaining the $500,000 minimum for the Rochester partnership.

Maddy summarySF 1915 directs Minnesota's Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to study voluntary campaign spending limits. The Board must analyze participation in Minnesota's public subsidy program (by office), spending trends over ten years, and how other states set similar limits, including differences for highly contested races. By January 15, 2026, the Board must report findings and recommendations to legislative committees overseeing the Board. This study does not change current laws but aims to inform potential future policy decisions about campaign finance.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's campaign finance rules by clarifying what constitutes "expressly advocating" for or against a candidate (e.g., ads that clearly name a candidate or unambiguously push for their election). It adds specific requirements for digital campaign ads to include disclaimers identifying who paid for them, and refines definitions for "coordinated" spending (where groups work directly with candidates) versus "independent" spending. These changes directly affect political campaigns, advocacy groups, and digital advertisers who run election-related content. The bill aims to make disclosure rules clearer and more consistent across traditional and digital platforms.