Sen. Mark Koran

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that cement, concrete, and steel used in state-funded infrastructure, transportation, housing, and public facility projects be manufactured in the United States. The law applies to all procurement contracts authorized after its enactment and defines "made in the United States" as materials where foreign components cost less than five percent of the total. Agencies may grant waivers if such materials are unavailable, would increase project costs by more than 25 percent, or are needed for an emergency, with all waivers published online within 30 days. Additionally, the bill directs state officials to provide guidance on these requirements and update policies to offer a bid preference to projects committing to using products made in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to create a tax subtraction for income earned by Minnesota residents who are 65 years of age or older. It would allow eligible senior taxpayers to exclude certain income from their taxable income when calculating their individual income tax liability. The provision applies to single taxpayers aged 65 or older and to married couples filing jointly if at least one spouse meets the age requirement. The bill would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Human Services Systems Steering Committee to oversee and recommend improvements to Minnesota's human services information technology systems, which are used by counties and state agencies. The committee will include representatives from the Departments of Human Services, Children, Youth, and Families, and Information Technology Services, along with members from county organizations, who will meet at least quarterly to review system goals, resource allocation, and funding. Before any major changes or new systems are implemented, the relevant commissioners must consult with the committee and counties, and significant changes require at least seven committee members to vote in favor. The committee must also provide public input opportunities, record all votes, and submit annual reports to legislative committees starting in 2027. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to expand county technology tools like Data Depot and BlueZone Scripting Collaborative to more counties and Tribal Nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the SAVE Minnesota Act, requires voters in Minnesota to present a photo identification card to register to vote and to cast a ballot at the polls. To obtain this new voter identification card, applicants must provide proof of citizenship, and the state will issue a specific card for this purpose. The legislation also establishes a new trust fund to support child abuse prevention efforts and waives fees for obtaining vital records needed to apply for the voter ID card. Additionally, the bill creates a system for provisional ballots and modifies existing rules regarding absentee voting for certain program participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new crime in Minnesota for providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations or groups engaged in terrorism. It directly affects any individual who knowingly offers property, services, training, or other assistance to such groups, explicitly excluding medical and religious materials from the definition. The legislation sets tiered criminal penalties ranging from ten years to forty years in prison and fines up to $100,000, depending on whether the support results in great bodily harm or death. These provisions will become effective on August 1, 2026, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1.2 million grant for the STRIPES program to fund a student mentoring initiative in Minnesota schools. The funds are designated for five specific purposes: organizing weekly mentoring meetings, supporting operations in five existing schools, expanding the program to new schools, creating a university partnership to train future teachers from diverse backgrounds, and helping teachers build culturally responsive classrooms. Grant recipients must submit a detailed report by January 15, 2028, to the Department of Education and legislative committees, outlining how the money was used, the number of students and mentors involved, and the results of the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program to test a trauma-informed approach for managing behavior and guiding students in prekindergarten through first grade. It allocates $1.2 million to fund the Mindful Foundations curriculum, which uses a specific five-step method to help educators support young children. Selected school districts will receive money to hire specialists, train staff and families, and evaluate how the program affects student outcomes and teacher retention. By the end of the pilot year, the program must submit a detailed report to lawmakers to determine if the approach should be expanded statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct background checks when requested by the Office of the Legislative Auditor. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 299C.76 to officially add the Legislative Auditor to the list of agencies authorized to request criminal history information. The legislation defines specific types of records that can be accessed, including federal tax information and national criminal history records, while establishing confidentiality requirements for handling these sensitive documents. This change expands the Legislative Auditor's ability to access criminal background data for oversight purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's family law guidelines for determining parenting time and custody by updating the factors courts must consider when evaluating a child's best interests. It requires judges to make detailed findings on each relevant factor, including the child's needs, parental involvement, domestic abuse history, and the benefits of maintaining relationships with both parents. The legislation establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint legal custody serves the child's best interests, while allowing exceptions when domestic abuse has occurred between parents. Additionally, the bill clarifies that disability alone cannot determine custody outcomes and prohibits courts from considering parental conduct that does not affect the parent-child relationship.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires providers, vendors, and individuals seeking public funding in Minnesota to submit proof of their operations and financial history for the past three years before receiving grants or renewing licenses. The law mandates that applicants provide documentation of their service history and, for businesses and nonprofits, evidence of good standing with the Secretary of State, along with explanations for any missing information. State officials must review these submissions before awarding funds or approving renewals, and they can deny requests if there is a substantial risk the applicant cannot fulfill their obligations. The measure aims to strengthen fraud prevention by ensuring transparency and verifying the financial stability of entities receiving public money.