Sen. Mike Holmstrom

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Minnesota State Auditor's authority to investigate fraud within state government and audit agencies. It directly affects state agencies (by requiring audits) and the public (by creating new fraud reporting tools). Key provisions include granting the auditor explicit power to investigate fraud and mandating a public fraud complaint line with an electronic tip form. The bill does not change existing audit requirements but adds these specific fraud-fighting mechanisms to the auditor's duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the membership structure of Minnesota's Sentencing Guidelines Commission. It adds the commissioner of corrections as a nonvoting member and updates appointment rules for several positions, requiring the governor to consider candidate slates from professional associations (like the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association) when appointing members. The commission now includes voting members representing judges, public defenders, prosecutors, law enforcement (police chiefs and sheriffs), probation officers, and public members with lived experience in the justice system. These changes affect how the commission, which sets sentencing standards for Minnesota courts, is composed and governed. The bill does not alter sentencing policies but changes who serves on the commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from state bond proceeds to fund upgrades at Rockford's wastewater treatment facility. The funds will cover design, construction, and equipment for critical infrastructure improvements, including control systems, preliminary treatment infrastructure, and other operational support. The state will issue up to $2 million in bonds to finance this grant, administered through the Public Facilities Authority. This directly affects the city of Rockford by enabling essential maintenance and modernization of its wastewater system. The bill does not create new regulations but provides targeted funding for facility operations.

Maddy summarySF 3818 repeals Minnesota's estate tax, meaning estates of people who die after December 31, 2025, will no longer owe state tax on inherited assets. The bill removes specific tax provisions from Minnesota Statutes (including sections 270C.585, 289A.10, and others) and updates related definitions to reflect the repeal. It directly affects heirs and executors of estates passing to beneficiaries after the effective date. The change eliminates a state tax that previously applied to estates above certain value thresholds.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 3812 prohibits classroom instruction about gender identity for students in kindergarten through grade 8 in public schools. It requires schools to obtain parental written permission before administering student well-being questionnaires or health screenings to K-8 students and mandates parental notification if a student's health or well-being services change. The bill also establishes procedures for parents to address concerns with school officials within specific timeframes and requires schools to support parental involvement in decisions about student health. The provisions take effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summarySF 3826 modifies how Minnesota's Peace Officer Standards and Training Board members are selected. It requires the governor to appoint certain members based on candidate slates submitted by specific associations, such as the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association for county sheriff representatives and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association for municipal police chiefs. The bill also adds new appointment requirements for two members from the Minnesota State Patrol Association and one city official from small towns outside the metro area. These changes, effective January 1, 2027, aim to ensure appointments reflect input from relevant law enforcement groups.

Maddy summarySF 3817 creates two tax benefits for public safety officers in Minnesota. It exempts their primary home (classified as "class 1a" property) from property taxes if they live and work as a public safety officer (like police or firefighters) in the same city where the home is located, effective for 2027 assessments. It also allows a subtraction from taxable income for public safety officers who reside in the city where they work, effective for tax years after 2025. The bill directly affects officers employed by statutory or home rule charter cities, requiring cities to verify their status for both provisions.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 3811 prohibits public school classroom instruction about gender identity for students in kindergarten through grade 8, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. It requires schools to notify parents about changes to a student's health or well-being services, obtain parental permission for health screenings in early grades, and adopt procedures ensuring parental involvement in health-related decisions. The bill also establishes a grant program to fund firearms safety, archery, hunting, and angling instruction in school physical education courses, with appropriated funding. These provisions apply to all public schools in Minnesota and aim to align classroom content and parental notification practices with specific legislative requirements.

Maddy summarySF 3775 prohibits abortion coverage in MinnesotaCare, medical assistance programs, and the State Employees Group Insurance Program. It eliminates abortion and abortion-related services as a mandatory benefit for all health plans except large group plans. The bill repeals existing provisions that previously required coverage of abortion services in medical assistance programs and created reimbursement mechanisms for health plans covering abortions. These changes directly affect state health programs for low-income residents, most individual and small-group health insurance plans, and state employee health coverage.

Maddy summarySF 3816, the Minor Party Ballot Access Act, modifies Minnesota's rules for minor political parties to appear on election ballots. It establishes specific requirements for parties to maintain minor party status, including having a candidate receive at least 1% of statewide votes (or 10% in legislative districts) in the previous election, or collecting verified signatures equal to 1% of voters. Parties must also file annual certifications with the secretary of state confirming compliance with organizational requirements. This bill directly affects minor political parties seeking ballot access for statewide or district-level offices, changing how they qualify and retain their status without altering major party rules.