Sen. Eric Lucero

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a requirement that Minnesota's state budget forecast must account for inflation when estimating expenditures. Specifically, it amends state law to state that expenditure estimates must not include an allowance for inflation, shifting how the state projects future costs. The bill also adds a consultation process requiring the budget commissioner to consult with legislative finance committee leaders and fiscal staff at least three weeks before releasing the forecast, and to notify them of any changes to forecast variables two weeks prior. This directly affects state budget forecasters, finance committees, and legislative fiscal staff in preparing the annual state budget. The change simplifies the forecast process by removing inflation adjustments from expenditure calculations.

Maddy summarySF 2572 makes it optional for Minnesota employers to provide earned sick and safe time benefits to eligible employees. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify that employers are not required to offer these benefits but may choose to do so, redefining "employee" as someone for whom an employer elects to provide benefits and "employer" as one who chooses to participate. This change directly affects employers, particularly small businesses, by removing the current mandate to provide paid sick leave. The eligibility requirement of working at least 80 hours per year with an employer who opts in remains unchanged. The law would not alter benefits for employees covered under existing employer participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Housing Finance Agency to allocate at least 25% of its Housing Affordability Fund (Pool 3) in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 specifically for grants supporting workforce and affordable homeownership development - such as single-family homes, townhomes, and manufactured homes - under Minnesota Statutes § 462A.38. Funds directed this way cannot be used for loans, administrative costs, or other financing programs. The agency must also report annually by June 30 on the number and amount of grants issued, broken down by home type, income category, and county. This directly affects the Housing Finance Agency's budget decisions and local housing programs receiving these targeted grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Minnesota public elementary and secondary schools to prominently display a 16x20 inch poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The display must use the exact text specified in the bill (including the full biblical wording), be legible from anywhere in the room, and cannot include additional content. Schools without compliant displays may accept private donations meeting these requirements or use public funds to replace non-compliant versions. The policy directly affects every public K-12 school in Minnesota, mandating a specific religious text in all classrooms.

Maddy summarySF 2681 appropriates $5 million for a manufactured home down payment assistance program and $5 million for a manufactured home park cooperative purchase program, both funded from Minnesota's housing development fund for fiscal year 2026. The down payment program provides grants to NeighborWorks Home Partners to help manufactured home buyers cover down payments, allowing combined use with other assistance. The cooperative program funds Northcountry Cooperative Foundation to help convert manufactured home parks to cooperative ownership through loans, subsidies, or guarantees, with a 30-year covenant requiring the land to remain a manufactured home park. These funds are one-time appropriations directly affecting manufactured home buyers and park owners seeking cooperative ownership.

Maddy summarySF 2606 modifies how funds are distributed through Minnesota's Corridors of Commerce transportation program. It sets specific regional funding targets: at least 25-27.5% for projects near I-494/I-694 (Metro Projects), at least 35-37.5% for projects in the broader metro area (Metro Connectors), and at least 35-40% for other regional projects (Regional Centers). The commissioner must calculate these percentages using funds from the current and prior two project rounds. This applies to all future funding awards starting the day after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summarySF 2244 increases the reference values used to calculate school district equalization levies under Minnesota education finance law. It raises the first-tier reference value from $567,000 to $1,500,000 and the second-tier reference value from $290,000 to $870,000 per student. This change means school districts with higher property values per student will pay less in equalization levies. The bill also appropriates funds for general education aid for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It becomes effective for revenue in fiscal year 2027 and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state government entities - including departments, counties, cities, and towns - to use federal standard time year-round starting in 2025, aligning with federal law. It modifies Minnesota Statutes to ensure all state laws reference federal standard time or advanced standard time (daylight saving time), prohibiting local time variations. The provision expires when federal law permits states to permanently adopt advanced standard time year-round. It directly affects how state operations and laws reference time, with no immediate cost or new authority for local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill reenacts a prior law prohibiting weather modification within Minnesota's boundaries and the airspace above it. It directly affects any person, organization, or government entity attempting to intentionally alter weather (such as through cloud seeding or chemical dispersal) within the state. The law makes such actions a misdemeanor, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense. The policy aims to protect public safety, health, and environmental welfare by preventing unauthorized weather modification activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's absentee voting procedures by shortening the voting window for absentee ballots from 46 to 28 days before elections (affecting all absentee voters) and moving the deadline for returning ballots from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on election day. It amends sections 203B.06 (ballot delivery timelines), 203B.08 (return deadlines), and 203B.081 (voting period) to implement these changes. The provisions apply to all voters requesting absentee ballots, including those in correctional facilities and voters with disabilities who rely on specific delivery methods. These changes aim to streamline election administration while maintaining existing ballot return and delivery processes.