Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the licensing fee for nonmotorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, sailboards, paddleboards, paddleboats, and rowing shells that are over ten feet in length. It directly affects Minnesota residents and visitors who own or use these types of watercraft for recreation. The key provision removes the $23 fee that was previously required for these specific watercraft, while maintaining fees for motorized boats and other licensed watercraft. The bill also adjusts related surcharges for aquatic invasive species control to reflect the removal of the nonmotorized watercraft fee. This change applies to all watercraft licensed under the relevant Minnesota statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the toboggan as Minnesota's official state sled, formally naming it in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 1. It directly affects state symbolism by establishing a ceremonial designation for a specific type of sled. The bill contains no substantive policy changes or funding mechanisms - its sole purpose is to recognize the toboggan as the state's official sled through a symbolic legislative act. As a procedural resolution, it has no practical impact on state operations or constituent services.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 3880 is a legislative resolution urging the President and Congress to reject S. 2967 (the "Border Lands Conservation Act"). It opposes provisions in S. 2967 that would allow border security infrastructure - like roads, surveillance systems, and motorized equipment - within the protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The resolution argues this would violate the Wilderness Act of 1964 by altering the pristine, untrammeled character of the 1-million-acre wilderness area visited by over 200,000 people annually. Minnesota’s legislature directs the Secretary of State to send this resolution to federal officials and Minnesota’s congressional delegation.

Maddy summarySF 4014 requires a licensed human driver to be physically present in the driver's seat of a commercial motor vehicle whenever an automated driving system (designed to handle all driving tasks without a human, such as SAE levels 4 or 5) is used for operation. The human must monitor the vehicle and intervene if necessary to prevent unsafe or illegal driving. Violations by vehicle owners or lessors result in escalating fines, starting at $2,000 for a second offense, with penalties doubling for each subsequent violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $9 million from the general fund to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to the Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System. The funds will support technology enabling a tracking system for tradable ammonia, hydrogen, and renewable energy certificates. Entities receiving the grant must report on spending annually from 2026-2030 and report on green ammonia certificate issuance from 2030-2035. The bill directly affects the tracking system operator, state commissioners, and entities using the certificate system. It creates a financial mechanism for monitoring renewable energy certification activity without altering consumer or business regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Lake Superior Community Health Center in Duluth. The funds are specifically for predesign and design work to create a regional health and wellness center in western Duluth, intended to serve as a community hub for health programming. The appropriation is one-time and available until the design phase is completed or abandoned. It directly affects the Lake Superior Community Health Center and Duluth residents who would use the future facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for theft crimes committed against vulnerable adults in Minnesota. It directly affects individuals who steal from people legally defined as vulnerable adults, such as those with disabilities or limited capacity. The law increases existing punishments by upgrading misdemeanor thefts to gross misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors to felonies, while also extending maximum prison sentences by 25 to 50 percent depending on the original charge. These enhanced penalties apply only to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to provide $6,000,000 in funding to the Town of Silver Creek for upgrading its sanitary sewer system and reconstructing city streets. The money will come from state bonds that the commissioner of management and budget will sell and issue according to existing state laws. The funds are designated for design, engineering, and construction work to improve the town's sewer infrastructure and associated street repairs. The bill takes effect the day after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 from the state's general fund to provide a one-time rate increase for Boundary Waters Care Center, a nursing facility in Ely, Minnesota. The funding is designated for fiscal year 2027 and must be used without seeking additional federal matching funds. The appropriation is directed to the commissioner of human services to implement the rate adjustment under existing state statutes governing nursing facilities. This measure affects only this specific facility and does not establish a broader policy change for other nursing homes in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota's workforce housing development program by raising the annual appropriation from $2 million to $17 million starting in fiscal year 2028. The additional funds will support the development of affordable housing properties that may include income-restricted units and owner-occupied homes. The legislation amends existing state statutes to establish this new funding level as part of the permanent budget base for the housing development fund. The bill directly affects the state agency responsible for administering the workforce housing program and potential applicants seeking funding for affordable housing projects.