Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summarySF 829 prohibits Minnesota municipalities from enacting or enforcing zoning ordinances that ban emergency housing facilities, except in residential or agricultural zones. The bill defines an emergency housing facility as a temporary shelter providing day-to-day sleeping and restroom access for people without permanent housing, for less than six months. This law directly affects cities, towns, and townships by restricting their zoning authority to block such facilities in most areas, ensuring they cannot be prohibited through local ordinances. The policy change requires municipalities to allow these facilities in non-residential zones, impacting how communities manage short-term housing solutions for homeless residents.

Maddy summarySF 831 appropriates funds for a one-time grant to the Minnesota Medical Association to launch a "Treat Yourself First" campaign focused on health care worker well-being. The campaign targets physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other health care professionals to reduce stigma around mental health services, encourage those experiencing workplace burnout to seek care, and provide accessible resources. Funding of $[amount] from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 is available until July 1, 2030. This bill provides resources for existing awareness efforts but does not create new legal requirements for health care workers or employers.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in building a regional exhibition center at Graham Park in Olmsted County. It applies to materials purchased between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027, meaning businesses pay the tax upfront but receive it back as a refund. The exemption covers materials used in construction, renovation, or expansion of the center, with refunds funded from the state general fund. The policy change directly affects the project developers and Olmsted County by reducing upfront construction costs for this specific facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $850,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the rehabilitation of the historic George Stoppel Farmstead in Olmsted County. The funds will be provided to the Olmsted County Historical Society to restore the listed National Register of Historic Places stone house and barn, and to build an accessible pathway. All work must comply with federal standards for historic properties set by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The bill directly affects the Olmsted County Historical Society and preserves a recognized historic site.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5.6 million in state bonds from the transportation fund and $2.4 million from the trunk highway fund to improve intersections along U.S. Highway 14 in Byron. It funds environmental analysis, design, and construction of grade-separated interchanges (replacing at-grade crossings with overpasses or underpasses) at key intersections, including those with Olmsted County State-Aid Highways 3 and 5. The funds cover the city of Byron and Olmsted County's share for these infrastructure upgrades. The project directly affects local drivers, residents, and businesses in Byron by enhancing traffic flow and safety at these intersections.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to support the Minnesota Family Assets for Independence initiative. The funds will be administered by the commissioner of children, youth, and families for the program's ongoing operations. The appropriation is specifically designated for the initiative as outlined in state law (section 142F.20). This bill provides dedicated funding without altering the program's existing structure or requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health insurance plans to include all payments made by enrollees (or on their behalf) toward out-of-pocket costs when calculating their annual maximum out-of-pocket limit. It specifically mandates that co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles count toward this limit, ensuring all contributions are properly tracked. The law applies to health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. This directly affects health plan members and insurers in Minnesota by standardizing how out-of-pocket spending is calculated.

Maddy summarySF 507 requires Minnesota school districts to adopt specific policies ensuring parents of children with disabilities can meaningfully participate in their child's education. The bill mandates districts to provide free translation and interpretation services, list available documents in multiple languages, and ensure parents understand education documents - especially before meetings. It also requires districts to establish reasonable accommodations (like sign language interpreters) for parents with disabilities without requiring health information disclosure. These policies must be posted online in the top three languages spoken in the district and shared annually with parents, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases payment rates for residential substance use disorder treatment providers in Minnesota. Specifically, it authorizes a 50% rate increase over 2025 rates for eligible residential services (listed in statute) starting July 1, 2025, for providers meeting requirements under Minnesota Statutes §254B.05. The change directly affects licensed residential treatment facilities that provide services covered under the statute. This is a funding adjustment to support provider compensation, not a new service or program. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes §254B.12 to implement this rate increase.

Maddy summarySF 723 appropriates $5.6 million in state bond funds to improve intersections along U.S. Highway 14 in Byron, Minnesota. The funds will support environmental analysis, design, and eventual construction of grade-separated interchanges at key intersections (including those with County Highways 3 and 5) to replace at-grade traffic signals. The money, drawn from the state transportation fund, will be provided as grants to the city of Byron and Olmsted County for their share of project costs. This includes acquiring right-of-way and building the new interchanges and associated infrastructure. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $5.6 million in general obligation bonds to finance these improvements.