Sen. Jeremy Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5,130,000 from state bond proceeds to fund water and sewer infrastructure improvements in Lanesboro, Minnesota, specifically tied to the reconstruction of Trunk Highway 250 in the city. The funds will cover design, engineering, and construction work for the utility upgrades. The state will issue up to $5,130,000 in bonds under existing state law to provide this funding. The direct beneficiaries are the city of Lanesboro and its residents, who will receive upgraded utility systems alongside highway reconstruction.

Maddy summarySF 1050 would create a state grant program to fund multi-day outdoor educational experiences for Minnesota students in grades 4-8. The program would provide funding to accredited outdoor schools and nonprofit learning centers meeting specific criteria, including connecting to school curriculum, developing skills like leadership and critical thinking, and ensuring equitable access for underserved students (including those with disabilities). Grants would support immersive, nature-based learning that integrates academic standards and addresses barriers to outdoor access based on race, income, or zip code. Funding would come from state general funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summarySF 3067 would fund a new bike trail connecting Harmony to Caledonia through Canton, Mabel, and Spring Grove, using $14 million in state bonds. The funds would cover property acquisition, planning, and design for Phase 1 of the project along existing highways (Trunk Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 52). Unspent portions of the appropriation would automatically shift to trail construction after Phase 1 planning. This bill authorizes bond sales under Minnesota's standard infrastructure financing rules to finance the project.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4 million from state bonds to fund the renovation of La Crescent's regional ice arena. The funds will cover design, construction, and equipment upgrades, including replacing the outdated R-22 refrigerant system and installing rooftop solar panels. The money comes from bonds sold by the state under Minnesota's bond laws, with the grant going directly to the City of La Crescent for the project. The bill affects local residents using the arena and the city government managing the renovation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.866 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to address nitrate contamination in private drinking water wells. It directly affects homeowners in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona counties whose wells exceed the 10 mg/L nitrate safety limit. The funds cover reverse osmosis systems, well repairs, and reconstruction, prioritizing low-income households (at or below 300% of federal poverty guidelines) and households with infants or pregnant individuals. Administrative costs up to 6.5% of the appropriation are also permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Disability Rights and Support" special license plate for Minnesota vehicle owners. To obtain the plate, drivers must pay a special fee, registration tax, and an annual $30 contribution to a dedicated disability rights fund. The fund covers administrative costs and then sends remaining money to The Arc Minnesota to support disability community services. The plate design must include "Disability Rights since 1950" and can be transferred between qualifying vehicles owned by the same person for a $5 fee. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 2661, the "Minnesota Bitcoin Act," allows state agencies to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for payments (like taxes or fees) and authorizes the State Board of Investment to allocate up to 35% of its funds into cryptocurrency investments. It sets strict limits, including capping individual crypto investments at 20% of a vehicle's value and requiring at least four unrelated owners per investment. The bill defines "cryptocurrency" using existing legal terms and specifies that most investment data (like commitment amounts and returns) must be publicly disclosed, while sensitive financial data remains private. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting state agencies, taxpayers, and the State Board of Investment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students enrolled in online instructional programs (under Minn. Stat. § 124D.094) to take Minnesota state assessments remotely starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It requires the Department of Education to establish policies covering proctor ratios, technology requirements, parental consent, and testing environment monitoring. The bill appropriates $200,000 for the 2026 fiscal year to develop these remote testing policies and conduct validation activities comparing remote and in-person test scores. These changes directly affect students in online schools and the Department of Education, which must implement the new remote testing framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from state bond proceeds to fund the rehabilitation of the historic Forestville bridge in Fillmore County. The funds will be provided as a grant to Fillmore County through the commissioner of natural resources for the bridge's design, engineering, and construction. The state will issue bonds up to $3 million to cover this cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The project directly affects Fillmore County residents and preserves a historically significant local structure.

Maddy summarySF 132 modifies tax treatment for rural electric cooperatives by exempting their distribution lines (excluding substations and generation equipment) from property taxes and replacing them with a $10 annual tax per 100 members. The bill directly affects cooperatives organized under Minnesota's cooperative laws that provide electricity in rural areas. Instead of paying property taxes on their distribution systems, these cooperatives will pay the membership-based tax to the state, which will be deposited into the general fund. The changes take effect for 2026 property tax assessments.