Sen. Andrew Mathews

Maddy summarySF 2232 modifies Minnesota's election administration laws to improve accuracy and efficiency. It establishes detailed technology requirements for electronic rosters at polling places, requiring systems to verify voter eligibility, prevent duplicate voting, and provide clear instructions for election judges. The bill also changes absentee ballot application deadlines (allowing in-person submissions up to the day before an election but requiring mail applications to be received at least seven days prior) and mandates that nongovernment entities sending absentee materials include a specific notice. These changes apply directly to voters, election officials, and local election administrators across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill, if enacted, would restrict participation in girls' high school and middle school sports teams to students assigned female at birth. It requires students to provide a physician's statement confirming their sex based solely on reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and chromosomes if a dispute arises. The law would apply to all public and private K-12 schools in Minnesota offering sex-restricted athletic teams. Currently pending in the Education Policy committee, it is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025, if passed. The bill does not change existing team eligibility rules but establishes specific medical criteria for determining eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota school districts to use net proceeds from career and technical education (CTE) programs to fund postsecondary scholarships and grants for eligible students. It requires students to complete a qualifying CTE course, apply in their senior year, and graduate from a Minnesota high school to receive these funds. Scholarships cover tuition, certificate programs, or apprenticeships, while grants help students entering the workforce or military with career-related supplies. School districts must report program details to the Department of Education and may only use annual net proceeds (revenue exceeding program costs) to fund these awards. The policy takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1923 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish parents' fundamental right to direct their child's education. If passed by voters, it would add a new section to the Minnesota Constitution guaranteeing parents the right to choose private, religious, or home schooling as alternatives to public education, and to make reasonable educational choices within public schools. The amendment would require the state to not infringe on these rights. The proposed amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election for approval.

Maddy summarySF 1924, the "A+ Energy Act," amends Minnesota energy statutes to clarify definitions and require reporting from electric utilities. It defines "carbon-free" energy as electricity without carbon dioxide emissions and specifies eligible renewable sources like solar, wind, small-scale hydro, hydrogen, biomass, and nuclear. The bill mandates that electric utilities (including public, cooperative, and municipal providers) submit annual reports to the state commission detailing the financial impact of compliance efforts on rates, including how they reduce emissions while maintaining service reliability. These reports must cover wholesale and retail rate impacts and be updated as part of utility planning documents through 2040.

Maddy summarySF 1368 prohibits the Minnesota Department of Human Rights from creating or maintaining any database or collection of incidents involving protected speech, such as free speech, assembly, or petitioning activities guaranteed by the U.S. or Minnesota Constitutions. The bill explicitly bans the department from offering rewards for reporting such incidents and removes the ability to collect data on protected speech incidents that were previously allowed under existing law. This amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 363A.06, specifically targets the department's data collection practices without altering its core duties in investigating discrimination. The bill affects only the department's data management related to protected speech, leaving unchanged its responsibilities for addressing discrimination in housing, employment, or public accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's commissioner of natural resources to remove Little Rock Creek in Morrison County from the official list of designated trout streams and prohibit future trout stocking in the creek. It directs the commissioner to amend specific state rules (Minnesota Rules, part 6264.0050) to reflect this change, using an expedited rulemaking process under state law. The policy change directly affects the management of Little Rock Creek by state natural resources agencies and ends the requirement for trout stocking in this specific waterway. The bill does not alter fishing regulations or access but formally changes the creek's classification and stocking status.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires campaigns to disclose the names and addresses of contributors who give $200 or less to a candidate but live outside the district or area the candidate represents. Currently, such small donors living within the candidate's district are exempt from full disclosure. The amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.20, would extend this reporting requirement to all small donors outside the candidate's geographic area. This change applies specifically to legislative and statewide candidates' campaign finance reports. The policy directly affects candidate campaigns and their fundraising activities by increasing transparency about out-of-district small contributions.

Maddy summarySF 1649 appropriates $2.5 million from state bonds to fund Phase 2 development of Sherburne County's Two Inlets Regional Park near Big Elk Lake. The funds will support native habitat restoration (prairie and shoreline), trail construction, visitor amenities, and infrastructure improvements to enhance public access and preserve the park. Sherburne County will receive the grant through the commissioner of natural resources, with the state issuing bonds to cover the cost under Minnesota bond laws. This bill directly affects Sherburne County residents and park visitors by expanding recreational opportunities at this public natural area.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1659 appropriates $11.95 million from state bonds to fund capital improvements at the Rum River Dam in Anoka. The funding supports safety upgrades, hydroelectric power generation enhancements, river surfing facilities, and fish passage modifications (or a lock if needed). The city of Anoka will receive a grant from the commissioner of natural resources to implement these specific dam improvements. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds to cover the cost, effective upon enactment.