Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to require life jackets worn by children under 10 on recreational watercraft to include specific reflective material. Starting January 1, 2027, these life jackets must have at least 31 square inches of retroreflective material on the front, back, and each reversible side, with the material placed near the shoulder area. The requirement applies to all non-commercial watercraft operators with children aboard, excluding commercial vessels or when the vessel is anchored for swimming. A grace period until May 1, 2028, allows first violations of this new provision to receive only safety warnings, not penalties.

Maddy summarySF 1742 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the Center of American Indian and Minority Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth. The funds are designated for the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to operate this specific center. This bill directly affects the center's budget and operations by providing dedicated state funding for its programs. It is a straightforward funding measure with no substantive policy changes beyond the allocated appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts veterans with a total service-connected disability from specific vehicle-related fees in Minnesota, including registration taxes, license plate fees, title fees, driver's license fees, and motor vehicle sales taxes. It applies to passenger cars, pickup trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles registered by qualifying veterans, allowing them to claim exemptions for up to two vehicles. The exemption covers all standard fees under Minnesota law but excludes personalized plate fees and required donations for special plates. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, applying to taxes payable for registration periods starting on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $9 million for fiscal year 2026 and $9 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the University of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute. The funds are designated for the "Minnesota Green Iron Initiative," which aims to advance industrial decarbonization through research and development using hydrogen, renewable energy, infrastructure, and community engagement. The initiative directly supports the University of Minnesota's research efforts to reduce carbon emissions in industrial processes. This is a funding measure focused on advancing clean energy research at a specific university research institute.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2783) appropriates $4,800,000 from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at the City of International Falls' water treatment facility. The funds will support specific upgrades including facility expansion, replacement of aging infrastructure, security enhancements, and other operational site improvements. The state will issue bonds to cover the cost, with the money provided as a grant to International Falls via the Public Facilities Authority. This directly affects the City of International Falls by enabling critical water system modernization.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to stabilize the shoreline near Scandia Cemetery in St. Louis County. The funds will be used to construct a retaining wall and a related access road to prevent erosion threatening the cemetery. The grant is specifically authorized for St. Louis County to address this localized shoreline issue. The bill directly affects the cemetery's preservation and the county's infrastructure project. No broader policy changes or additional affected parties are specified.

Maddy summarySF 339 establishes a property tax credit for licensed in-home child care providers in Minnesota. It provides a 50% credit on the net property tax owed for qualifying homes used to operate family day care programs (including the house, garage, and surrounding one acre of land), after subtracting other applicable credits. The credit applies to property taxes payable starting in 2026, with reimbursements paid to local taxing jurisdictions by the commissioner of revenue. This directly benefits licensed providers operating child care from their primary residence. The bill appropriates funds annually from the general fund to cover these tax credit payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $627,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide technical assistance grants to small rural communities in Minnesota. The funds will go to Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) to offer economic development support to communities unable to afford such services, with up to $270,000 also allocated for implementing specific economic development projects alongside the technical assistance. The grant program is a one-time funding measure targeting rural areas needing help with economic planning and development initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to condemn specific land in Cass County (described as the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter in Section 27, Township 145 North, Range 28 West) and cover related costs like legal fees. It authorizes the transfer of this condemned land to a federally recognized Indian Tribe without payment ("for no consideration"). The transfer is permitted after condemnation proceedings, as the DNR determined the land is not needed for natural resource purposes and returning it to Tribal ownership best serves state land management interests. The bill directly affects the specified land parcel and the receiving Indian Tribe.

Maddy summarySF 2637 creates a tax credit for small Minnesota businesses that advertise in qualifying local media. It allows businesses with fewer than 50 full-time employees to claim a credit equal to 80% of qualifying local advertising expenses (for 2025) or 50% (for 2026+), with annual limits of $5,000 and $2,500 respectively. Qualifying media includes local newspapers or broadcast stations serving Minnesota communities that meet specific criteria, such as employing local journalists and primarily serving regional audiences. The credit expires for taxable years beginning after 2028 and applies to expenses paid after December 31, 2024.