Sen. Grant Hauschild

Maddy summarySF 3799 modifies Minnesota's Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission rules to update its operations and extend specific grant deadlines. It changes how the commission elects a chair (from annually to biennially), requires that park and trail projects receiving funds must be part of a commission-approved master plan, and updates annual reports to show recommendations by regional district. The bill extends the deadline for five specific projects to use allocated parks and trails funds until June 30, 2027 (for four projects) or 2028 (for one project), including the Mesabi Trail in St. Louis and Lake Counties and Oxbow Park in Olmsted County. These changes affect the commission, the six regional districts outside the seven-county metro area, and the counties/cities named in the extensions.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes three key changes: (1) It lowers the property tax increase threshold for homeowners from 12% to 8% to qualify for a refund and raises the maximum refund from $1,000 to $1,500, effective for 2026 claims; (2) It creates a new monthly tax on social media companies collecting data from Minnesota users, with rates starting at $0.10 per user for 100,001-500,000 users and increasing to $0.50 per user for over 1 million users; (3) It establishes one-time public safety funding for local and tribal governments, requiring a report on the allocation of these funds. The changes directly affect Minnesota homeowners, social media businesses with significant Minnesota user bases, and local government entities.

Maddy summarySF 3963 would allow Minnesota school districts with six-member boards and 1,000 or fewer students to seek voter approval for reducing their board size to five members. It creates a new process where such districts can place a referendum on the ballot at any school election, requiring a majority vote to switch to a five-member board. Districts currently operating with five-member boards could similarly propose increasing to six members through a separate voter referendum. The bill directly affects small school districts by providing a structured option to adjust board size based on enrollment and community preference.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides free fishing, deer hunting, and small game hunting licenses to Minnesota residents aged 65 or older. It amends state law to require license issuers to provide without fee: a permanent fishing license, and annual licenses for deer (using firearms or archery) and small game. Residents can use a valid driver's license or Minnesota ID as proof of age and residency at any license agent location. The bill directly affects eligible seniors by removing costs for these recreational hunting and fishing licenses. It is a straightforward policy change with no additional fees or complex requirements for affected residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3889) requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Natural Resources to update state hunting rules so that youth waterfowl hunting days are scheduled on two consecutive weekends each year, rather than on separate days. It directly affects young hunters (ages 12-17) and the Department of Natural Resources, which would manage the new scheduling. The key provision mandates this specific two-weekend format for youth waterfowl hunting days annually, using an expedited rulemaking process. The bill does not change hunting regulations for adults or other wildlife seasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to allow personal watercraft use to begin at 8:00 AM instead of 9:30 AM. It directly affects owners and operators of personal watercraft (like Jet Skis) on Minnesota lakes and waterways. The key change modifies the existing restriction that previously prohibited operation between sunset and 9:30 AM, shifting the start time to 8:00 AM. Other requirements, such as wearing Coast Guard-approved life jackets, speed limits near shorelines, and needing a decal, remain unchanged. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the daily operating hours for personal watercraft.

Maddy summarySF 1197 creates a new funding mechanism to help Minnesota school districts that experience reduced property tax revenue due to seasonal fluctuations in property values. It directly affects districts with significant "seasonal market value" properties (classified as class 4c(12) under state law, like vacation homes). The bill establishes a "seasonal tax base replacement aid" calculation: districts receive aid equal to (1 - seasonal adjustment factor) multiplied by their referendum levy. The adjustment factor is based on the ratio of seasonal market value to total market value, capped between 0.5 and 1.0, to reduce the district's required referendum levy without dropping below zero. This aid is funded through appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summarySF 3761 modifies Minnesota school district eligibility to levy taxes for swimming pool operating costs. It allows districts in counties with an international border and more than one school district to levy taxes covering net operational costs (after subtracting revenues and other payments), but only up to the previous year's actual net costs. This bill specifically affects school districts in designated border counties with multiple districts, changing eligibility from a previous population density requirement. The policy change takes effect for taxes payable in 2027 and later.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 3771 modifies trespass laws to require law enforcement to obtain a warrant signed by a judicial officer and demonstrate probable cause before entering property for civil immigration enforcement. The bill directly affects Minnesota law enforcement officers and immigration enforcement activities conducted on private property. It prohibits detaining individuals solely based on federal immigration detainers issued by the U.S. government. These changes apply to trespass offenses involving property entry for immigration purposes, requiring judicial oversight instead of relying on federal requests. The bill aims to align state trespass enforcement with constitutional protections for individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the increased maximum grant amount for water infrastructure projects, established in 2025 legislation, applies to all projects with grant agreements signed on or after September 1, 2024. It directly affects local governments and water utilities seeking state funding for infrastructure upgrades by ensuring they can access the higher grant limits. The key provision specifies the effective date for this funding availability, removing ambiguity about which projects qualify for the enhanced support under Minnesota Statutes section 446A.072, subdivision 5a.