Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $12 million in state bonds for capital improvements to public water access points and boating facilities on Minnesota's public waters, managed by the Department of Natural Resources. It also allocates $17.8 million in bonds for capital upgrades to state fish hatcheries, including up to $3 million specifically for planning and designing a new St. Paul hatchery facility in the metro area with research and education capabilities. The funds will be drawn from a bond proceeds fund, with bond sales governed by Minnesota's bond laws. The bill directly affects state natural resources management and public users of water access sites and hatchery facilities.

Maddy summarySF 878 exempts the retail delivery of liquid fuels (such as gasoline or diesel) from Minnesota's retail delivery fee. This bill directly affects fuel retailers who deliver liquid fuels to customers, removing a fee they previously paid on these transactions. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes § 168E.05, subdivision 1, by adding "a retail delivery of fuel products" as a specific exemption (item 3). This change clarifies that fuel delivery services are now explicitly excluded from the fee, aligning with the definition of "fuel products" added in § 168E.01. The bill makes a concrete policy change to the fee structure without altering tax obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's water infrastructure funding programs to increase support for communities. It raises the maximum grant amount for water projects from $5 million to $10 million per project (or $20,000 per connection), adjusts affordability thresholds for wastewater and drinking water systems based on household income, and establishes a new "emerging contaminants grant program" to address new water pollution threats. These changes apply to governmental units (like cities and counties) seeking funding for wastewater treatment, drinking water systems, and projects meeting federal or state water quality standards. The bill also authorizes bond issuance to fund these programs, with specific provisions for areas with challenging geology or strict discharge limits.

Maddy summarySF 861 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to provide equal grants of approximately $5,263 to each of Minnesota's 95 county agricultural societies. The funds must be used for projects enhancing arts access, education, and the preservation of Minnesota's agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage through county fairs. This appropriation is in addition to existing funding under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02, and the commissioner of agriculture must develop grant criteria with input from interested parties. The bill directly affects all 95 county fairs by providing supplemental funding for heritage-related programming.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates a specific amount from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide a grant to Rice County for water quality improvement work at French Lake. It directly affects Rice County residents and French Lake by funding services like water testing, infrastructure upgrades, and maintenance. The bill also extends the deadline for using a prior grant (from 2023) for the same French Lake project until June 30, 2027. The key mechanisms are the new funding allocation and the extended timeline for existing water quality efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a prohibition on human consumption of beavers killed by government entities under specific circumstances. It directly affects road authorities, government units, and landowners who kill beavers to address property damage concerns during certain times. The key change removes the current rule (in Minnesota Statutes §97B.667, subd. 3(c)) that forbids eating beavers retained after killing them, allowing these entities to consume or dispose of the beaver as they choose. The bill does not alter the process for killing beavers or the requirement to notify conservation officers.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill 277 modifies trapping regulations for fur-bearing animals. It requires trapping seasons to begin at sunrise, restricts using lights to tend traps between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., and limits firearms used during daytime trap-tending. The bill changes tending requirements: body-gripping traps and certain snares must now be checked no more frequently than every third day (replacing the previous daily requirement). It also restricts setting traps within 50 feet of water (except for specific foot-encapsulating traps) during mink and muskrat season without a permit. These changes directly affect licensed fur trappers operating in Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 316 expands Minnesota's sales tax exemption for baby products by adding specific items to the existing list. The bill adds baby wipes, cribs and bassinets, crib/bassinet mattresses, changing tables/pads, strollers, car seats, and infant eating utensils to the exemption, which already covers items like breast pumps and baby bottles. This change directly affects parents and caregivers purchasing these essential baby products, as they will no longer pay state sales tax on these items. The exemption applies to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2025, and amends Minnesota Statutes section 297A.67, subdivision 9.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum number of shareholders, members, or partners allowed in agricultural entities (like family farm corporations, LLCs, or partnerships) that qualify for special homestead tax treatment from 12 to 20 people. It directly affects farm businesses structured as these entities that seek reduced property tax rates (class 1b or 2a) for properties where a qualifying owner resides and farms the land. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.124 to raise this shareholder limit, allowing larger family-owned agricultural operations to maintain eligibility for the tax benefits. The change takes effect for homestead applications in 2025 and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 from the general fund for a one-time grant to Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, Minnesota, to support its human services operations. The funds are directed to the commissioner of human services for sole-source disbursement to the center. The grant is specifically designated for fiscal year 2026 and does not create new ongoing funding requirements or policy changes.