Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summarySF 1339 appropriates $20 million from state bonds to fund the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure grant program, administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The bill authorizes the sale of up to $20 million in state bonds to provide these funds specifically for housing infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota (non-Metro areas). This funding supports housing development through grants under Minnesota Statutes section 462A.395, targeting infrastructure needs like water, sewer, or site preparation for housing projects. The bill directly affects eligible housing developers and communities in Greater Minnesota by providing dedicated capital for infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summarySF 1631 would amend Minnesota's tax code to allow taxpayers to subtract all their Social Security benefits from taxable income without income-based phaseouts or maximum limits. Currently, deductions for Social Security benefits are reduced for higher earners (e.g., joint filers with income over $88,630 face reduced deductions), but this bill removes those restrictions. The change directly affects Minnesota taxpayers receiving Social Security benefits, particularly higher-income retirees who previously paid state tax on part of their benefits. It takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and modifies Minnesota Statutes section 290.0132, subdivision 26.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of "public waters" to clarify which water bodies require public access or management. It adds specific criteria, such as watercourses over two square miles and designated trout streams, while explicitly stating that public waters aren't determined by land ownership or historical navigability. The bill also eliminates a $1 million annual appropriation for updating the public waters inventory map (previously funded through 2032), removing the dedicated funding stream for this process. These changes directly affect landowners, local governments, and state agencies managing water resources, as they redefine which water bodies fall under public management rules.

Maddy summarySF 1635 adds a specific parcel of land to Carley State Park in Wabasha County, Minnesota, as defined by a detailed legal description of boundaries. The bill excludes two parcels: a section west of Wabasha County Road No. 4 (owned by the State and A.M. Christenson) and a portion of the East Half of Section 32. This boundary adjustment formally expands the park's land without altering park management or public access policies. The bill becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 1634 creates a property tax refund program for nonprofit child care providers that rent facilities. It provides a 10% refund on gross rent paid for "eligible child care property" (the portion of rented space used for licensed child care) to qualifying providers operating under Minnesota Rules chapters 9502 or 9503 and accepting state child care assistance. To qualify, the provider must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the refund applies only to cash rent payments made in 2024 or later. Providers must apply to the commissioner in the year following rent payment. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 290A.03 and 290A.04 to establish these definitions and the refund mechanism.

Maddy summarySF 1669 appropriates $350,000 annually (2026-2027) from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to the Minnesota FFA. The funds will provide new and expanded access for FFA members participating in art- and history-related activities, including up to $125,000 yearly to document 100 years of FFA history through a book, videos, and events. Remaining funds support specific activities like FFA band/choir, talent competitions, floriculture, and fair landscape booths. The bill directly affects Minnesota FFA members and specifies concrete uses for the allocated funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts specific hot tubs from Minnesota's public pool regulations. It applies to hot tubs on houseboats rented to the public and hot tubs in single-unit rental properties (like vacation homes) used solely by renters. The key provision requires these hot tubs to display a mandatory notice stating: "NOTICE: This spa is exempt from state and local sanitary requirements... USE AT YOUR OWN RISK." This change directly affects rental property owners who operate these hot tubs, removing them from standard public pool safety and sanitation requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota child care centers to request variances (exceptions) to their licensed capacity limits if their indoor space is within 100 square feet of the required size based on staff qualifications and number. It requires centers to submit formal requests detailing why they can't meet standard capacity rules and proposing equivalent safety measures, with the commissioner reviewing these requests. The variance process applies only to capacity limits that don't affect health or safety, and permanent variances expire if conditions change without notification. This directly affects licensed child care centers and family child care providers seeking flexibility in their operational space.

Maddy summarySF 1639 amends Minnesota Statutes section 161.434 to allow local governments to obtain permits from the commissioner to place automated license plate readers (ALPRs) within trunk highway rights-of-way. The bill requires the commissioner to establish a permit process with safety and highway function safeguards, limiting ALPR placement to highway purposes only. This directly affects cities and counties seeking to use ALPRs for traffic monitoring or law enforcement along state highways. The key provision creates a formal process for local governments to deploy these devices while ensuring they don’t interfere with highway operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies eligibility for Minnesota's Class 2c managed forest lands tax classification. It specifies that qualifying land must be 20-1,920 acres, managed under a certified forest management plan (per Chapter 290C), and *not* enrolled in the sustainable forest program. Landowners must apply to their county assessor by May 1 each year to qualify for the reduced 0.65% tax rate (lower than Class 2b's 1%), with verification from the Commissioner of Natural Resources. This directly affects forest landowners seeking the lower tax rate, ensuring they meet specific acreage, planning, and application requirements. The bill does not change the tax rate itself but streamlines eligibility verification.