Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota school districts and charter schools with declining enrollment can use student support personnel aid. It allows these schools (defined as having fewer students on October 1 of the previous year compared to two years prior) to use the funds to maintain existing support staff positions or contracted services from licensed professionals like counselors or nurses, rather than requiring new hires. The change extends eligibility for this funding for four consecutive fiscal years after a school qualifies as having declining enrollment. This policy directly affects school districts facing enrollment decreases by providing flexibility to preserve existing student support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10.85 million from state bonds to fund infrastructure improvements for Duluth's Lot D redevelopment project. The funds will directly support the City of Duluth in constructing public infrastructure, including seawall repairs, utility connections, debris removal, transportation upgrades, and site preparation for the redevelopment site. The state will issue bonds up to this amount to cover these capital improvements, as authorized under Minnesota law. The project aims to prepare publicly owned land for future development through physical infrastructure work.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's broadband grant program for lower-population-density areas by increasing the state's matching contribution from 75% to 90% of project costs. It directly affects broadband providers and local entities applying for grants under Section 116J.3952 of Minnesota Statutes. The key change simplifies funding by raising the state's share, reducing the required local contribution. The amendment takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows volunteer firefighters, emergency medical first responders, and ambulance crew members to use red or red-and-white flashing warning lights on their personal vehicles while responding to emergency calls. It requires permits from the public safety commissioner, limits light size to under three inches, and mandates lights only be activated during actual emergency responses. The law amends existing statutes to explicitly permit these lights on personal vehicles for volunteer responders, specifying they must be deactivated when not responding to calls. It directly affects volunteer emergency personnel operating personal vehicles during emergency duties in Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 769 modifies Minnesota's tax exemption for certain data centers by expanding eligibility for sales tax exemptions on enterprise IT equipment, software, and electricity use. The bill defines three qualifying categories: standard data centers (requiring $30 million in investment over 48 months), refurbished data centers ($50 million over 24 months), and large-scale data centers (with specific connectivity requirements). Facilities must meet size thresholds (25,000+ sq ft), security standards (like biometric access), and infrastructure criteria (uninterruptible power, fire systems) to qualify. This directly affects large data center operators investing in Minnesota facilities that meet these specific construction, investment, and operational requirements. The exemption applies to equipment purchases and electricity, with tax refunds handled per existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $21.2 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at Duluth's Lakewood water treatment plant. It directly affects the city of Duluth by providing funds for specific upgrades, including rehabilitation of the granular infiltration system, roof repairs, and enhancements to water reservoirs and pump stations. The key mechanism authorizes the state to sell bonds up to $21.2 million under Minnesota law to cover these project costs. The funds will support ongoing plant operations through physical infrastructure upgrades, not new services or policy changes.

Maddy summarySF 773 allows the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District to reduce its board of managers from five to three members, upon approval by the district's governing body. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes to require vacancies to remain unfilled until the board reaches three members, after which vacancies are filled per standard procedures. It also mandates that new members be assigned to staggered term groups to avoid multiple terms expiring in the same year. This change directly affects the district's internal governance structure without altering its water or sanitation services. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on board composition.

Maddy summarySF 586 appropriates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs. The funds are designated for grants to Veterans on the Lake to cover expenses related to veteran retreats, including therapy, transportation, and customized activities. This bill directly affects veterans participating in these retreats by providing funding for support services through the Veterans on the Lake organization. The legislation is a funding measure with no substantive policy changes beyond the specified appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $400,000 for Silver Bay Trailhead construction in Silver Bay and $500,000 for trail development at Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisolm, both for fiscal year 2026. The funds come from the general fund and are directed to the commissioner of natural resources for grants to the respective cities. The legislation directly affects Silver Bay and Chisolm by providing money for specific trail infrastructure projects. It does not create new regulations but allocates existing state funds for physical development at these two locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota’s existing "Greater Minnesota business development public infrastructure grant program" under statute 116J.431. The funds will be administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development to provide grants for public infrastructure projects. These grants directly assist businesses located outside Minnesota’s major metropolitan areas (referred to as "Greater Minnesota") that require infrastructure improvements to support growth or operations. The bill does not create new policy but allocates specific funding for an established program.