Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from state bonds to fund predesign, engineering, and environmental analysis for a carbon capture system at Olmsted County's waste-to-energy facility. It also covers planning for a business incubator focused on carbon sequestration training at the same facility. The funds come from bonds authorized under Minnesota law, with the Pollution Control Agency administering the grant to Olmsted County. The bill directly affects Olmsted County's waste processing operations and supports infrastructure improvements related to carbon capture technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in Rochester's water reclamation plant. It applies to materials purchased between September 1, 2024, and June 1, 2026, covering construction, upgrades, or renovations of the facility. The tax is collected initially but then refunded through the same process used for other eligible projects under Minnesota law. The exemption is retroactive to August 31, 2024, and funds for refunds come from the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,000,000 from state bond proceeds to fund planning work for riverfront improvements in Rochester. The funds will support the city's predesign phase for public realm projects - including trails, tree planting, wayfinding, and infrastructure - near Rochester's Government Center and Zumbro River area, as outlined in the city's existing Riverfront Plan. The state will issue up to $1 million in bonds to cover this appropriation, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The direct beneficiaries are Rochester residents and the city government, which will use the funds for preliminary planning before potential future construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $17.25 million from state bonds to fund Rochester's sanitary sewer infrastructure expansion. The funds will support the city's predesign, design, and construction of sewer systems specifically to enable new housing development in the region. The state will issue bonds up to this amount under existing bond laws to provide the grant to Rochester, directly affecting the city's ability to grow housing capacity through infrastructure upgrades. The funding is targeted exclusively for sewer infrastructure needed to support housing expansion, not for general city services.

Maddy summarySF 141 establishes a formal review process for individuals denied or having access reduced to long-term services and supports in Minnesota. It requires human services agencies to provide a 10-day notice of intent to deny or reduce services (including home care, personal assistance, and community support programs) and allows individuals or their representatives 10 days to respond. If a response is received, agencies must schedule a review within five days, using accessible communication methods (like phone or in-person meetings), and continue services during the review. The bill ensures individuals can present clarifying information during the review and mandates that notices of final decisions include details from the review process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's medical assistance eligibility rules for aged, blind, or disabled individuals. It maintains the existing 100% federal poverty guideline income limit for this group but clarifies that Medicare premiums must be disregarded when calculating income for eligibility. The bill also specifies that certain income increases (per federal laws) and veteran benefits must be counted toward income thresholds. This change directly affects Minnesotans aged 65+ or with disabilities who receive medical assistance under section 256B.055, subdivisions 7, 7a, or 12. The updated rules take effect July 1, 2025, or after federal approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies when Minnesota's medical assistance program (like Medicaid) covers prescription drug costs for people who also have commercial insurance. It requires coverage of copays for drugs approved by a commercial insurer, even if the drug isn't on the insurer's preferred list or the prescribed amount exceeds a 34-day supply, without needing extra approvals from the state. The policy applies directly to Minnesotans enrolled in medical assistance who have separate commercial prescription drug coverage. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, simplifying access to covered medications for this group.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.5 million from state bonds to fund a food waste separation system at Olmsted County's materials recovery facility. The funds will cover designing, constructing, and equipping the system to prepare food waste for recycling at an organic materials management facility. Olmsted County directly benefits as the recipient of the grant through the Pollution Control Agency. The state will issue bonds up to $3.5 million to finance this project, with funds drawn from the bond proceeds fund as authorized under Minnesota law. The project aims to improve organic waste processing infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota child care laws by removing outdated language regarding a 2017 deadline for certifying license-exempt child care centers. The change directs the state commissioner to establish a new, flexible timeline for processing certification applications instead of adhering to the old fixed date. Directly affecting child care providers and the state licensing office, the legislation simplifies the administrative code without altering the core requirements for operating these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for issuing permits related to groundwater thermal exchange devices in Minnesota, which are systems that use underground water to heat or cool buildings. It requires property owners to apply for a permit and pay a fee before reinjecting water into the same aquifer from which it was drawn. The legislation sets limits on the number of permits allowed for small and large systems based on their water capacity and mandates regular inspections to ensure safety. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these devices must also comply with existing water-use permit requirements enforced by the commissioner of natural resources.