Sen. Mark Koran

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Department of Human Services and related agencies to compare actual spending against previously forecasted budgets for specific programs. It mandates that the legislative auditor conduct audits to investigate significant deviations between projected and actual expenditures, with the option to accept department explanations if they are deemed reasonable. The legislation also establishes a process for contingent program cancellations if spending variances exceed specified thresholds and requires quarterly public reporting of actual expenditures beginning in 2027. Additionally, the bill directs how budget forecasts should account for potential program reductions and requires notifications to legislative committees when spending deviations occur.

Maddy summarySF 3520 amends Minnesota's cannabis licensing laws to clarify that employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and their trustees or employees do not count toward restrictions on being a "true party of interest" for multiple cannabis business licenses. The bill specifically exempts the trustee of an ESOP and employees (such as officers, managers, or directors) of a cannabis business owned by an ESOP from limitations that normally prevent an individual from being tied to more than one license application. This directly affects cannabis businesses using ESOPs to grant employee ownership stakes and their trustees/employees. The key mechanism adds these exemptions to existing rules, removing a barrier to using ESOPs in the cannabis industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state budget forecasts to include estimates of how fraud affects state programs and revenues. It mandates that the state budget commissioner consult with legislative committee chairs and staff when determining variables like inflation and fraud impacts, with specific timing requirements for these consultations. The law also adds a new requirement for forecasts to explicitly address the budgetary consequences of fraud committed against state programs. These changes apply to the state budget forecasting process and affect the Minnesota Department of Revenue and legislative budget committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a 1% tax on remittance transfers sent from Minnesota, specifically targeting transfers made using cash, money orders, cashier's checks, or similar physical payment instruments. The tax applies to individuals sending money out of state and is collected by remittance transfer providers who must report and remit the tax to the state. Transfers funded through bank accounts or debit and credit cards are exempt from this tax. The law would take effect for transfers made after June 30, 2026, and would be administered using existing tax collection and enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $4,000,000 in state bonds to fund infrastructure improvements at the interchange between Interstate Highway 35 and 400th Street in North Branch, Minnesota. The funds will be used by the city of North Branch to cover costs for initial planning, detailed design, and acquiring the land needed to build the interchange. The commissioner of management and budget is directed to sell and issue the bonds following state procedures, with the money drawn from the state transportation fund's bond proceeds account. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Office of the Legislative Auditor and the state auditor to access and review expunged criminal records when evaluating final candidates for employment. The change directly affects these two state auditing agencies by permitting them to consider prior convictions that have been legally sealed or expunged during their hiring processes. Under the new provisions, auditors may disqualify candidates based on these records without needing a separate court order, provided the conviction is directly related to the job position. The legislation amends existing state statutes to create this specific exception to expungement protections for these particular government hiring roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulated therapeutic program in Minnesota allowing adults aged 21 and older to use psilocybin under medical supervision for qualifying conditions such as PTSD, depression, and chronic pain. The program requires patients to be certified by a licensed physician and administered by registered facilitators who oversee preparation, administration, and integration sessions. Key provisions include creating an advisory committee, setting up data collection requirements, establishing fees, and defining criminal penalties for violations. The legislation authorizes the state health commissioner to implement rules and protections for patients, suppliers, facilitators, and healthcare practitioners involved in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state departments and agencies to submit mandatory reports to legislative committee members electronically instead of by mail. It also limits how public entities distribute reports to legislators, allowing distribution only when requested and prohibiting sending materials to both home and office addresses unless specifically requested. The changes aim to reduce paper waste and streamline how government information reaches lawmakers by updating Minnesota Statutes section 3.195.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes state licensure requirements for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota. It defines both practices (including specific techniques like kneading for massage and Chinese medical principles for Asian bodywork), sets educational standards, and requires passing a credentialing exam. The Minnesota Department of Health will issue licenses, enforce rules, and maintain a registry of practitioners. This directly affects individuals seeking to practice these therapies, their training programs, and the state agency responsible for oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility criteria for water-use permits from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer in Minnesota. It allows new permits for potable water use and agricultural irrigation outside metropolitan counties, provided there are no feasible alternatives and a water conservation plan is included. The changes directly affect water resource managers, agricultural operators, and municipal water systems seeking permits from this aquifer. The legislation modifies existing state statutes to clarify these requirements while maintaining restrictions on new water appropriations.