Sen. Mark Koran

Maddy summaryThis bill would add a new special license plate design for Minnesota veterans who received the Army of Occupation Medal. It amends existing law to include this category under the state's veterans' plate program, requiring the commissioner of veterans affairs to design a corresponding emblem. Eligible veterans must already meet standard requirements (honorable discharge, vehicle ownership) and provide proof of receiving the Army of Occupation Medal. The plate would be issued alongside other existing veterans' plate designs like "WORLD WAR VET" or "KOREAN VET."

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state employees, University of Minnesota staff, and certain other public organization personnel to immediately report suspected theft, embezzlement, or misuse of public funds to law enforcement. It amends Minnesota law to mandate that these individuals also provide a written report to the legislative auditor detailing the incident, unless reporting would interfere with an active criminal investigation. The law applies directly to public officials and employees who discover evidence of financial misconduct involving public resources. This creates a clear reporting pathway for financial violations to both law enforcement and the legislative auditor.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a $10 million grant program to fund infrastructure for manufactured housing cooperatives in Minnesota. Counties and cities can receive grants covering up to 50% of capital costs for infrastructure like sewers, water systems, and streets needed to support these housing developments, with a maximum of $60,000 per housing lot. Applicants must provide nonstate matching funds (cash or in-kind, including land value) and demonstrate the project will increase workforce housing and attract public/private investment. The program requires projects to proceed within five years, or grants must be repaid. The funds come from state bonds and are administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Maddy summarySF 1600 eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting first-degree arson in Minnesota. This means prosecutors can file charges for this crime at any time, regardless of when the offense occurred, removing the current 6-year deadline. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 628.26 to specifically remove the time limit for violations of section 609.282 (which covers first-degree arson). It applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, or if the limitations period hadn't expired before that date. This change directly affects prosecutors and individuals who commit first-degree arson, allowing for potential charges to be filed years or decades after the crime.

Maddy summarySF 55, the "Parent's Bill of Rights," is a proposed Minnesota law that outlines specific rights for parents of minor children (under 18). It requires state entities, schools, and health care providers to respect parental rights including directing education (public, private, or home), accessing school and medical records, giving written consent for health exams/interventions (except emergencies), and approving biometric or DNA record collection. The bill explicitly states it does not override child abuse laws, prohibit life-ending decisions, or create new reporting obligations for schools regarding student misconduct. It also prohibits school staff from coercing children to withhold information from parents or discriminating against parents for exercising these rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1 million from the state general fund to New Pathways, Inc., for the design, construction, and equipment of a regional shelter facility in Cambridge. The facility will provide comprehensive support services specifically for families with children experiencing homelessness in Cambridge and surrounding areas. The funds are available until the project is completed or abandoned, as outlined in Minnesota Statutes. The appropriation becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes that when a legislative vacancy occurs due to an election contest based on candidate misconduct, the second-place finisher in the most recent general election automatically fills the seat. The secretary of state must certify this candidate after a two-day window for contest appeals expires, without requiring a special election. It directly affects legislative offices vacated through election disputes involving misconduct, and applies only when a second-place candidate from the prior general election exists. The bill modifies existing vacancy procedures to streamline filling such seats without new elections.

Maddy summarySF 1267 repeals a state law that authorized the commissioner of commerce to apply for a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to establish a Minnesota public option health care plan. The bill removes the state agency’s authority to submit this waiver application and eliminates related funding, including $2.5 million for actuarial analyses and $21 million for implementation. This directly affects the Minnesota public option health care plan initiative, halting its federal approval path. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment, reducing state budget allocations tied to this specific policy approach.

Maddy summarySF 1397 requires Minnesota's commissioner of management and budget to create a pilot program developing experiential training for managers in three specific state departments: Corrections (overseeing guards), Human Services (overseeing group home staff), and Transportation (overseeing road/bridge construction crews). The bill mandates contracting with private consultants to design training where managers periodically work shifts in the roles they supervise, creating protocols and implementation plans. It requires departments to cooperate with consultants, identify additional roles that could benefit from similar training, and submit reports by August 1, 2026, with full implementation required by January 1, 2027. The bill appropriates funds from the general fund for this pilot program, which aims to improve managers' understanding of frontline work through direct experience.