Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to sell up to $10 million in bonds to fund grants for the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program. The funds will be used to support infrastructure projects in rural and less populated areas of Minnesota through grants administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development. The legislation establishes the legal framework for issuing these bonds and designates the money to come from the bond proceeds fund. It takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summarySF 4013 appropriates $250,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the city of Hermantown for preserving and renovating the historic home, museum, and park of former state representative Mary Murphy. The funding, designated for fiscal year 2027, directly supports Hermantown's efforts to maintain this cultural site. This is a procedural appropriation bill focused solely on allocating funds for preservation, not creating new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Cloquet Area Fire District in Minnesota to collect a local sales tax to fund a new fire and ambulance station. The district must hold a separate voter approval election in the cities of Cloquet and Scanlon before implementing the tax, which would be limited to a maximum of 0.5% and apply only in areas where voters approve it. If approved, the tax revenue would be used to cover administrative costs and finance up to $31 million in bonds for constructing the new facility, with the tax set to expire after 20 years or once the project is fully funded.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to support a local news talent pipeline program in Minnesota. The funds will be given to the Minnesota News Media Institute to create paid internships for Minnesotans interested in journalism careers across newspapers, television, radio, and digital news platforms. The program requires recipients to distribute opportunities geographically and consult with local news organization associations, while allowing up to five percent of funding for administrative costs. This one-time appropriation aims to strengthen Minnesota news outlets by encouraging more people to pursue careers in local news operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily exempts St. Louis County from a state requirement that property plats include a tax certification from a county official. Under current law, plats must show that current year's taxes are paid and no delinquent taxes are owed, but this bill would remove that requirement for St. Louis County. The exemption applies to all plats in the county and would remain in effect until October 1, 2026. This change affects county officials who process plats and property owners submitting plats in St. Louis County.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of up to $4 million in state bonds to fund capital improvements at the Duluth International Airport. The funds will be used to design and construct a new air traffic control tower base building, which will include office spaces, equipment rooms, and support areas. The project also covers site preparation, demolition of old buildings, utility installation, and replacement of existing fuel tanks. A portion of the state funding will serve as a matching contribution to secure additional federal funding for the project.

Maddy summarySF 3839 authorizes Minnesota to issue $200 million in housing infrastructure bonds to fund housing projects. It establishes annual transfers from the state general fund to a housing bond account, with specific amounts and timeframes: up to $6.4 million yearly from 2015-2037 for one bond series, $800,000 annually from 2017-2038 for another, and smaller amounts for additional series through 2049. The bill directly affects the state budget process and future housing infrastructure projects by creating a dedicated funding mechanism. It does not specify particular housing projects but provides a structured way to finance them through bond issuance and state payments. The bill is currently in committee referral stage and not yet enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates iron ore as the official state mineral of Minnesota. It requires the Office of the Secretary of State to preserve a photograph and a typical specimen of iron ore for public display. The legislation applies to state government records and adds this designation to the Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new unemployment benefits program for iron ore mining workers in Minnesota who lose their jobs between January 15, 2026, and March 15, 2026, due to layoffs. It also extends these benefits to employees of explosive manufacturing companies that supply iron ore mining firms if those mining companies experience significant layoffs. To qualify, workers must have worked for an iron ore mining employer that laid off at least half its workforce during the specified period, have already used up their regular unemployment benefits, and meet standard eligibility requirements. The program provides the same weekly benefit amount as regular unemployment insurance for up to 26 weeks, with special rules for workers who qualify for new benefit accounts during the payment period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency to create and maintain a website where the public can track the status of environmental permit applications. The tracker will display specific details such as facility names, permit types, and dates when each step of the review process is completed. This change directly affects applicants and members of the public who currently have difficulty monitoring the progress of their permit requests. The agency must establish this system immediately after the bill becomes law and continue to improve it over time.