Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summarySF 929 would establish the Minnesota Health Plan to guarantee comprehensive healthcare coverage for all Minnesota residents. The plan requires coverage for all medically necessary care - including medical, dental, vision, mental health, prescription drugs, and long-term services - with premiums based on ability to pay and no co-pays. It mandates automatic eligibility for all Minnesotans (including temporary out-of-state residents and border community visitors), while requiring cost reductions through negotiated provider prices rather than care restrictions. The bill also creates new entities like the Minnesota Health Board and Health Fund to administer the plan.

Maddy summarySF 1091 establishes a one-time $20 million program ($10 million for FY2026, $10 million for FY2027) to fund traffic calming projects in Minnesota's largest cities (those with over 10,000 residents). The funds are distributed equally: half based on each city's population share (using 2020 census data) and half based on cities' calculated "money needs" under state law. Eligible projects include curb bump-outs, raised crosswalks, bollards, and other infrastructure improvements designed to enhance traffic safety within city streets. This appropriation is a single-year funding mechanism with no ongoing annual funding commitment.

Maddy summarySF 272 expands Minnesota's medical assistance program to cover room and board costs for hospice care provided in community-based settings (like a patient's home or a community facility), where such costs are not already covered by other programs. This amendment applies directly to eligible medical assistance recipients receiving hospice services in these community settings, ensuring coverage for these essential expenses. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes § 256B.0625, subdivision 22, to explicitly include room and board under hospice care coverage. It does not change existing rules about terminal illness treatment or apply to residential hospice facilities.

Maddy summarySF 910 would repeal the current exception allowing motorcyclists to split or filter between lanes of traffic in Minnesota. It removes the specific provision (Minnesota Statutes § 169.974, subd. 5(g)) that permitted motorcycles to operate between lanes at speeds under 25 mph or up to 15 mph over traffic speed. This change would make lane-splitting fully prohibited for all motorcycle riders statewide, directly affecting motorcycle operators who currently rely on this exception. The bill amends traffic safety statutes to eliminate this specific allowance, aligning motorcycle lane operation with standard traffic lane usage rules. This is a substantive policy change to Minnesota's vehicle code, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to provide a one-time grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. The funds will support job-seeking skills training, connections to job training/education, and career exploration mentorship for disadvantaged youth aged 12-21. The program specifically serves youth in Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters across the Twin Cities, central Minnesota, and southern Minnesota. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directing existing state resources to an established youth mentoring organization.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $22.9 million for fiscal year 2026 and $12.9 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The funds support two housing programs: the economic development and housing challenge program (Minnesota Statutes §462A.33) and low/moderate-income housing programs (§462A.07, subd. 14). Crucially, $1.2 million annually must be dedicated exclusively to housing projects for American Indians, with unused funds available for other eligible housing activities under the same statutes. The bill directly affects housing agencies and communities receiving these funds, particularly American Indian housing providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $44.8 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new regional wastewater treatment facility in Goodhue County. The funds will support the North Zumbro Sanitary District (serving Zumbrota, Goodhue, Pine Island, and Wanamingo) and connect to Pine Island's infrastructure to serve the Prairie Island Indian Community's Elk Run settlement lands. It authorizes the state to issue up to $44.8 million in bonds to cover design, construction, and necessary infrastructure improvements for the facility. The project aims to create a state-of-the-art regional wastewater treatment prototype for the specified communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from Minnesota's Clean Water Fund to create a new southeast regional initiative focused on protecting groundwater and improving soil health. It directly affects soil and water conservation districts in 11 southeast counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona), providing grants to support specific projects. Key provisions include funding for cover crop programs, alternative crops, and pasture enhancements to reduce fertilizer leaching into groundwater, immobilize excess nitrogen, and prevent soil erosion. The initiative allows conservation districts to make subgrants for projects aligned with the Olmsted County program.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for one-time capital improvements to historic properties in Olmsted County. Specifically, $850,000 will rehabilitate the George Stoppel stone house and barn (a National Register-listed property) and add an accessible pathway, while $2.15 million funds renovations to the Olmsted County History Center in Rochester. All work must follow U.S. Secretary of the Interior historic preservation standards. The funds are directed to the Olmsted County Historical Society and the History Center for these specific projects, with no ongoing funding commitment.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.7 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for community action grants. The funds are designated for existing community action programs under Minnesota Statutes sections 142F.30 to 142F.302. It does not create new programs or change eligibility rules, but provides ongoing funding for current grant initiatives. The bill directly affects community action agencies that administer these grants, which typically support poverty prevention and economic development services.