Sen. Eric Lucero

Maddy summarySF 702 limits a motor vehicle operator's civil liability if a pedestrian is injured while illegally blocking a roadway. The bill states pedestrians obstructing roads (violating laws like Minn. Stat. § 609.74) cannot sue drivers for injuries resulting from the driver's use of force to retreat or escape, *only* if the driver reasonably believed they or passengers were in immediate danger of death or serious harm. This applies to causes of action accruing on or after August 1, 2025. The bill directly affects pedestrians who illegally block roadways and drivers involved in such incidents.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 639 prohibits cities, counties, townships, and school districts from adopting or enforcing ranked-choice voting (RCV) for local elections. The bill bans any local rule, ordinance, or charter provision that establishes RCV - a system where voters rank candidates by preference - or similar voting methods. It specifically states that such local efforts would be void, applying to all local offices within these political subdivisions. The law takes effect the day after final enactment for elections held on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of child neglect to explicitly permit parents or caregivers to allow children to engage in certain age-appropriate independent activities without adult supervision. It amends Minnesota Statutes § 260E.03, subdivision 15, clarifying that children won't be deemed neglected solely for activities like traveling to school on foot or bicycle, playing outdoors, or staying home briefly - provided the activities suit the child's maturity and don't involve gross negligence endangering their safety. The change directly affects parents, guardians, and caregivers by removing fear of neglect allegations for reasonable unsupervised activities. It does not alter existing obligations for basic care, education, or medical needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota local governments from enacting policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It specifically bans cities or counties from creating "noncooperation" ordinances that would prevent law enforcement from sharing immigration status information with federal agencies or reporting undocumented individuals arrested for violent crimes. County attorneys must report such arrests to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), even if no charges are filed. The law applies to all government entities and public employees, requiring them to share immigration data for federal enforcement purposes. It takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 536 creates a refundable tax exemption for construction materials used in new residential housing in Minnesota. The bill requires that sales tax on these materials be collected at the standard rate but then fully refunded to eligible purchasers. This directly affects developers and builders who purchase materials for new single-family homes, apartment complexes, or other new residential projects. The exemption applies to materials consumed during construction, with refunds processed under existing tax procedures. The provision takes effect for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits counties, municipalities, and school districts in Minnesota from accepting contributions from for-profit businesses or nonprofit organizations to cover election expenses. It directly affects local governments by banning them from using funds from these outside sources for federal, state, or local election costs. The key provision adds a new section to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.32, explicitly stating that such contributions cannot be accepted "in any form" for election expenses. The policy change removes any existing local authority to accept these contributions, making the prohibition enforceable statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 116.06 to define "animal feedlot" for regulatory purposes. It specifies that an animal feedlot includes confined areas where manure accumulates or animal density prevents vegetation growth, but excludes pastures and small poultry operations (12 or fewer chickens). The definition clarifies which agricultural operations fall under existing environmental regulations, directly affecting larger livestock operations in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly protect Minnesotans' electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures, expanding existing Fourth Amendment safeguards. It would amend Minnesota's Constitution (Article I, Section 10) to state that the right to be secure "in their electronic communications and data" cannot be violated without a warrant based on probable cause. The amendment directly affects all Minnesota residents by granting constitutional-level privacy rights for digital information, such as emails, messages, and online activity. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school staff with valid firearm permits to carry weapons on school property after completing annual training. It requires the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to provide free, annual active-shooter response training to teachers and employees at public K-12 schools, charter schools, and postsecondary institutions. The bill amends criminal penalties to clarify that permitted staff carrying firearms on school grounds will face only a misdemeanor charge (not a felony), while maintaining restrictions for others. It specifically applies to staff who already hold permits under Minnesota law, with no new permit eligibility created.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota Statutes section 216B.246, which previously granted specific construction and maintenance rights to incumbent electric transmission owners. It eliminates the legal provision that gave these utilities (including public utilities, cooperatives, municipal agencies, and power districts) the right to build new transmission lines connected to their existing facilities. The repeal directly affects those entities classified as "incumbent electric transmission owners" under the repealed statute. This is a procedural change removing existing legal rights without creating new policy.