Sen. Andrew Mathews

Maddy summarySF 3636 requires local fire departments (or mayors/town clerks in areas without fire departments) to report fires involving alternative energy systems like solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal installations. Reports must include the fire's cause, origin, financial damage, and injury details. The state fire marshal must then compile these reports into an annual summary, submitted to legislative committees by February 15 each year. This bill directly affects fire departments, state officials, and entities operating alternative energy systems by creating a standardized reporting process for fire incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Zywiec Act, prohibits licensed health care providers in Minnesota from offering gender-affirming medical treatments like hormone therapy, puberty blockers, or gender reassignment surgery to individuals under 18 years old. It also bars public health funds from being used for these services and restricts mental health counseling that suggests or affirms a gender identity different from the minor's biological sex. The law includes specific exceptions for treating diagnosed medical conditions unrelated to gender identity, such as precocious puberty, and for medically necessary surgical interventions for intersex conditions. Violations could result in fines of at least $500,000, license revocation, and up to ten years in prison, with enforcement handled by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state granting agencies to conduct unannounced, in-person site visits for grants exceeding $10,000 to monitor how funds are used. The law mandates at least one visit per grant and additional visits every 12 months for grants disbursed over a longer period, with exceptions only allowed for entire grant programs rather than individual cases. Granting agencies must also report on grant status whenever requested by the commissioner, and the commissioner retains authority to approve or deny exceptions to the site visit requirement. The changes directly affect state agencies that manage grant programs and the organizations receiving those grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Department of Administration to create a fraud risk rating system for all state grant recipients, using vendor risk management principles to assess potential fraud risks. It mandates that the commissioner establish statewide grants management policies, maintain a central contact point for policy questions and fraud reports, and oversee IT spending related to grants management systems. The legislation also directs agencies to share grant opportunities and allows for the development of shared technology systems when cost-effective, while giving agencies five-year exceptions to these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the priority order for nonprofit organizations to receive certain state energy grants in Minnesota. It changes the ranking system so that nonprofits now appear in a higher priority position compared to investor-owned utilities for federal funds requiring a match. The legislation also allows state grants under this program to extend beyond the previous five-year limit and requires the commissioner to publish information about eligible federal grant funds by November 15, 2023. These changes affect how nonprofit organizations compete for state-matched energy funding opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota state government from using public funds to pay for, reimburse, or facilitate protests and demonstrations related to political causes or issues. It directly affects state agencies and departments by restricting their ability to allocate taxpayer money toward protest activities, whether supporting or opposing specific viewpoints. The legislation would add a new section to Minnesota Statutes chapter 16B to codify this prohibition on state financial support for protests.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2488) shortens the timeframe for Minnesota election officials to provide voter list copies to registered voters. It amends state law to require county auditors and the secretary of state to deliver requested voter lists within **two business days** (previously 10 days) upon receiving a written or electronic request with payment for reproduction costs. The bill directly affects registered Minnesota voters seeking voter list access and election officials responsible for fulfilling these requests. It also maintains existing provisions allowing free public inspection of voter lists and prohibits using voter list information for non-election purposes. The change aims to improve the speed and efficiency of accessing voter data for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota election officials to test voting systems at least ten days before absentee ballots are used. It mandates specific testing procedures to verify systems correctly mark and count all ballot types - including those using assistive technology - and reject invalid votes. The tests must be observed by election judges from different parties, open to the public, and include pre-audited ballots with predetermined results. After testing, detailed precinct reports must be made publicly available within 24 hours. The bill directly affects election officials managing voting systems in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2490) amends Minnesota Statutes section 201.171 to improve how voter registration status is updated based on voting history. It requires county auditors to post voting history within 52 days after each election, and the secretary of state to automatically mark voters as "inactive" in the statewide system if they haven’t voted in four consecutive years. Voters marked inactive must re-register to vote in future elections, but late/rejected mail ballots still count toward maintaining active status (though not for public voting history lists). The change directly affects Minnesota registered voters whose voting patterns lead to inactive status under the updated process.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts paid on-call firefighters from Minnesota's Paid Leave Law, meaning these workers would not be required to participate in the state's paid leave program. The legislation directly affects firefighters who are paid to respond to emergencies but are not actively on duty at all times. By adding paid on-call firefighters to the list of excluded employment categories, the bill removes them from the definition of covered employment under the existing paid leave statute. This change ensures that these specific firefighters are not subject to the same leave requirements and employer obligations as other employees covered by the law.