Sen. Cal Bahr

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2,273,000 from the state general fund for a one-time grant to the city of Ham Lake. The funds are specifically for constructing safety improvements and realigning frontage roads at the intersection of Trunk Highway 65 and Anoka County Road 60. The city must use the money by June 30, 2029, for these infrastructure upgrades. The bill directly affects Ham Lake residents and drivers using this intersection by funding physical road changes.

Maddy summarySF 2095 prohibits the Minnesota Division of Driver and Vehicle Services from listing specific surcharge details or fee differences (like the $1 surcharge or variations between in-person and online transactions) on vehicle registration renewal notices or related materials. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 168.33, subdivision 7, to require that such information not be advertised, promoted, or referenced on renewal notices, accompanying materials, or the agency's website - except when completing a transaction. This change directly affects vehicle owners receiving renewal notices, as they will no longer see these fee breakdowns. The provision takes effect October 1, 2025, for notices issued on or after that date.

Maddy summarySF 1677 prohibits Minnesota legislators from acting as lobbyists for two years after leaving office. It directly affects all state legislators who complete their term or leave office, banning them from lobbying or registering as lobbyists during this period. The bill authorizes a civil penalty of up to $25,000 or the amount earned from violating the rule for any breach. This law applies to legislators whose service ends on or after its effective date, which is the day after final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 1915 directs Minnesota's Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to study voluntary campaign spending limits. The Board must analyze participation in Minnesota's public subsidy program (by office), spending trends over ten years, and how other states set similar limits, including differences for highly contested races. By January 15, 2026, the Board must report findings and recommendations to legislative committees overseeing the Board. This study does not change current laws but aims to inform potential future policy decisions about campaign finance.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1974 (ESA-4-MSA) establishes Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for eligible Minnesota students. It provides state-funded accounts to parents of students from households earning up to four times the income threshold for reduced-price school meals, allowing funds to cover qualifying expenses like tuition at eligible schools, tutoring, curriculum materials, and approved educational services. The program limits participation to 5% of public school enrollment in its first year, increasing by 3% annually, with priority given to kindergarten students, those who attended public school full-time, and siblings already in the program. Funds cannot cover home instruction time or after-school child care, and accounts are managed by the Department of Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's sales tax exemption for construction materials used specifically in new water treatment plants and trunk water main projects in the city of Ramsey. It exempts these materials from sales tax if purchased between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2027, with refunds processed retroactively from December 31, 2022. The exemption applies directly to contractors and suppliers working on eligible water infrastructure projects within Ramsey. Purchases made during this period qualify for tax refunds under existing procedures for similar projects. The law applies only to Ramsey's water infrastructure, not general construction.

Maddy summarySF 1882 modifies an existing 2023 appropriation of $68.75 million for highway improvements along Anoka County's Trunk Highway 65. The bill specifically reallocates funds to cover planning, land acquisition, design, and construction for intersection upgrades at 99th Avenue Northeast, 105th Avenue Northeast, Anoka County State-Aid Highway 12, 109th Avenue Northeast, 117th Avenue Northeast, and Anoka County State-Aid Highway 116. This change adjusts the scope of previously authorized projects without creating new funding or policy. The bill amends Laws 2023, chapter 68, section 2, subdivision 4, as previously updated by 2024 legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's net metering rules for small-scale renewable energy systems. It directly affects residential and small business customers with solar panels or similar installations under 40 kilowatts (kW) capacity. Key changes include allowing these customers to choose compensation based on the utility's average retail energy rate (instead of avoided costs) for excess power sent back to the grid, and clarifying definitions like "aggregated meter" for multi-property systems. The bill ensures utilities can recover fixed costs through reasonable fees while maintaining non-discriminatory billing practices for small generators.

Maddy summarySF 1956 repeals a tax on lawful gambling receipts in Minnesota, directly affecting gambling businesses and organizations operating under state gambling laws. The bill removes existing tax obligations (previously covered under sections like 297E.02) and makes related technical updates to statutes governing gambling regulation, inspections, and licensing. Key provisions include modifying rules about business inspections (299L.03), license requirements (299L.07), and tax collection responsibilities (270C.56). This change eliminates a specific tax burden on gambling revenue, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows landowners or occupants to kill elk causing property damage without a permit. It amends Minnesota law to specifically include elk under the existing provision for taking animals causing damage (previously covering animals like raccoons but not elk). Landowners may kill elk without a license, except using artificial lights during closed season or poison, and must notify a conservation officer within 24 hours of the kill. This directly affects Minnesotans with elk-related property damage on their land.