Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summaryThis bill increases special education funding for Duluth's Independent School District No. 709. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the district will receive an annual $500,000 adjustment to its special education initial aid to correct a funding gap from the 2016 base calculation. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1 million in supplemental special education aid for the district for both 2026 and 2027. These changes directly affect Duluth's public schools serving students with special needs by providing additional state funding. The funding adjustments are mandated to be added to the district's regular special education aid calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Duluth Public Schools. The funds support the Duluth Promise initiative, which provides career planning, pathway training, and wraparound services for students in Duluth and St. Louis County. Key provisions include creating early college credit opportunities, connecting students with employers in high-demand fields like healthcare and manufacturing, and covering program costs such as instructor salaries and supportive services. The initiative aims to reduce employment barriers and address local workforce shortages.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales tax on construction materials purchased for specific projects at Cook County's Independent School District No. 166 (ISD 166) between June 2025 and December 2027. It covers projects like a new secure entrance, gym, fitness center, cafeteria renovations, and updates to HVAC/security systems. The state will refund the tax paid by contractors or schools through a general fund appropriation, reducing construction costs for these school upgrades. The exemption applies only to materials bought within the specified timeframe for these named projects.

Maddy summarySF 1508 appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $400,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Building Strong Communities, Inc. The funds support a statewide apprenticeship readiness program targeting women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color individuals, and veterans to prepare them for careers in building and construction. The program is funded as a one-time appropriation, not a recurring annual allocation. This bill directly affects the specified demographic groups by providing resources to enter skilled trades through structured training.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1420) allows certain Chippewa Bands, as defined under the 1854 treaty, to independently establish open seasons for big game hunting for their tribal members. It amends Minnesota law to clarify that these bands may set seasons without state approval, while the state commissioner of natural resources retains oversight. The bill also appropriates $3 million annually (fiscal years 2026-2027) from the general fund for payments to tribes under the treaty agreement. It directly affects the Chippewa Bands identified in Minnesota Statutes §97A.157, subdivision 1, and modifies how treaty-related payments are administered.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue $6.5 million in bonds for two special education cooperatives in Minnesota. It provides funding for Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative No. 6096-52 and Area Special Education Cooperative No. 997 to build or improve facilities housing regional programs for students with autism, cognitive disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and other specific educational needs. The funds cover predesign, construction, renovation, and equipment without requiring local matching funds. The bonds will be sold through standard state procedures to finance these education learning centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies requirements for school bus driver applicants using third-party testing programs. It changes the condition for test results to be valid: applicants must now either stay employed with the testing program for six months after testing or complete the approved driver training program (replacing the prior requirement of only staying employed). The bill directly affects school bus drivers seeking certification through third-party testing programs in Minnesota. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for tests administered on or after that date.

Maddy summarySF 1071 would allow Minnesota local governments (like cities and counties) to choose ranked choice voting for their local elections. The bill creates procedures for jurisdictions to adopt the system, including rules for counting votes where voters rank candidates by preference instead of selecting just one. It specifies that if a voter ranks multiple candidates equally or ranks more than one at the same position, that vote is handled as a partial defect. This bill does not require any jurisdiction to adopt ranked choice voting, only permits them to do so if they choose, and applies only to local elections, not state or federal races.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota school districts' career and technical education (CTE) programs. It raises the revenue percentage from 35% to 50% of eligible program costs (like instructor salaries, supplies, and professional development) and sets an annual appropriation of $46.46 million starting in fiscal year 2026. The bill also guarantees districts won't receive less funding than the previous year for CTE programs. These changes directly affect school districts operating approved CTE programs by increasing their state funding and ensuring stable revenue. The policy changes take effect for fiscal year 2026 and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases criminal penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, or health providers in hospital emergency departments who suffer demonstrable bodily harm. Currently, assaulting firefighters or EMS with bodily harm is a gross misdemeanor (up to 2 years or $4,000 fine), but the bill elevates this to a felony (up to 3 years or $6,000 fine). It also expands protections to include physicians, nurses, and other health care providers working in hospital emergency departments. The law takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to assaults committed on or after that date.