Sen. Eric Lucero

Maddy summaryThis bill requires cities receiving certain local government aid to dedicate a specific portion of that aid toward improving pre-1940 housing. The amount is calculated as the city's pre-1940 housing percentage (from another statute) multiplied by their city formula aid amount, but not less than $100. Funds can be used directly by cities or provided as grants/low-interest loans to property owners for projects like updating utilities, wiring, plumbing, or energy systems. This dedicated funding applies to all eligible cities starting with aid payable in 2025 and is in addition to other housing program funds.

Maddy summarySF 2178 creates a refundable tax exemption for construction materials used in new duplexes and triplexes intended for first-time homebuyers. Developers pay sales tax upfront on construction costs but receive a refund for taxes paid on the first $460,000 of qualifying construction expenses. To qualify, the first-time homebuyer must own and occupy at least one unit in the building. The exemption applies to sales/purchases after June 30, 2025, and expires July 1, 2033. It directly affects developers building qualifying multifamily housing and first-time homebuyers who occupy the units.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota public schools and state colleges/universities from teaching or promoting nine specific concepts labeled as "racist or sexist," including ideas that one race/sex is inherently superior, individuals bear responsibility for past actions of their race/sex, or the U.S. is fundamentally racist. It directly affects all K-12 school districts, charter schools, and Minnesota state colleges/universities, requiring them to avoid these concepts in instruction, materials, or speakers. The bill creates a private right to sue schools for violations, with courts potentially blocking state funding for the next fiscal year and awarding attorney fees to successful plaintiffs. Key mechanisms include explicit definitions of prohibited concepts, bans on penalizing students who reject such concepts, and mandatory funding consequences for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow owners of specific properties to vote on local property tax questions where their property is located. It directly affects owners of agricultural land, nonhomesteaded noncommercial real property, and small business properties (commercial/industrial properties where the owner operates a small business as defined by law). The key provision would permit these owners to register and vote in the precinct where their property is situated for local tax levies or bond referendums, rather than requiring voting based on their primary residence. If approved by voters in 2026, this change would take effect and be implemented through new rules by the secretary of state.

Maddy summarySF 2281 would allow Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to hire or accept as volunteers certified chaplains, defined as individuals certified by a national/state chaplaincy organization or endorsed by a religious group. The bill requires background checks meeting state standards, exempts chaplains from needing a professional educator license, and prohibits employment of individuals convicted of certain offenses. It also limits liability for chaplains unless their actions were maliciously intended to harm someone. The bill appropriates $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support school chaplain programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2266) clarifies Minnesota's prorated rent rules for residential leases ending before the last day of a month. It requires landlords to calculate the final month's rent based on the actual number of days a tenant occupies the unit, using the average daily rate for that month. This applies to all leases, including those requiring the last month's rent to be paid upfront, and invalidates any contract attempts to waive this requirement. The law directly affects tenants and landlords by ensuring fair payment for partial occupancy in the final lease period.

Maddy summarySF 2263 adds four new income tax subtractions to Minnesota's state tax code, reducing taxable income for specific earnings. It allows taxpayers to subtract overtime pay (wages for hours beyond standard workweek), tips reported to employers or the IRS, supplemental bonus payments, and winnings from licensed nonprofit gambling organizations. These subtractions apply to taxable income for years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill directly affects Minnesotans who earn these income types by lowering their state tax liability, without changing tax rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Safe Place for Newborns law to clarify and strengthen provisions for safely relinquishing newborns. It specifies that "safe places" include hospitals, 24-hour fire stations, healthcare providers, and approved newborn safety devices (which must have dual alarms, be FDA-approved, and be located inside 24-hour facilities). The bill requires safe places to accept newborns without asking for the parent's identity or calling police, while ensuring devices include social service information for parents. It also reinforces legal immunity for safe places and medical personnel who follow these procedures in good faith. These changes directly affect hospitals, fire stations, and healthcare providers operating under the Safe Place program.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's definition of "essential employees" to include medical death technicians, medical death investigators, correctional facility guards, confidential employees, supervisory staff, assistant county/city attorneys, principals, and assistant principals. It specifically adds these roles to the existing list of essential workers, who are typically required to maintain operations during emergencies or strikes. The bill also establishes separate definitions for essential employees at state agencies, the University of Minnesota, and Hennepin Healthcare System, ensuring consistent coverage across different employer types. This change directly affects these specific worker categories across public safety, healthcare, education, and corrections sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Minnesota selects presidential electors by requiring major political parties to nominate electors through state central committee conventions. It withdraws Minnesota from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, meaning the state will no longer automatically allocate its electoral votes to the national popular vote winner. The bill repeals previous provisions related to the compact and amends election statutes to specify that electors are chosen based on congressional district and statewide vote totals, rather than national popular vote outcomes. These changes directly affect Minnesota's presidential election process and the state's participation in interstate electoral agreements.