Sen. Cal Bahr

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6.8 million from state bonds to fund a new water treatment facility and trunk water main improvements in Ramsey, Minnesota. The funds will directly support Ramsey's infrastructure to remove manganese and iron contaminants from the city's water supply. The state will issue bonds under existing law to raise the required funds, which will be granted to Ramsey via the Public Facilities Authority. The project aims to improve water quality for Ramsey residents through specific infrastructure upgrades.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates all-terrain vehicle (ATV) registration fees for Minnesota veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. Specifically, it exempts these veterans from the $60 public-use or $6 private-use registration fees under Minnesota Statutes §84.922, providing a three-year free registration. To qualify, veterans must provide proof of their 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or military retirement board. The exemption directly affects eligible veterans, not all ATV owners or general veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of a highway interchange at Trunk Highway 610 and East River Road (Anoka County State-Aid Highway 1) in Coon Rapids. It authorizes the state to sell up to $10 million in bonds to cover the project's final design, land acquisition, construction, and related improvements. The funds are specifically for the portion of the project eligible for highway bond financing, building on prior appropriations for the same location. This directly affects Coon Rapids residents and commuters using this major intersection by improving traffic flow and safety.

Maddy summarySF 1434 amends Minnesota law to end annual funding for the solar energy production incentive program after 2025. Currently, $5 million is allocated yearly from 2026 through 2035; this bill removes that future funding commitment. The change affects utility companies operating the program and homeowners/businesses installing solar systems under the incentive. It modifies Minnesota Statutes section 116C.7792 by eliminating the specified annual allocations beyond 2025, though existing 2025 funding remains in place.

Maddy summarySF 1555 amends Minnesota campaign finance rules to require full disclosure of all contributors for legislative or statewide candidates and ballot questions. The bill mandates that campaign reports list the name, address, employer/occupation, and contribution amounts for anyone giving over $200 (for candidates) or $500 (for ballot questions) in a year, including donations in kind valued at fair market price. Contributors must be listed alphabetically with all transactions from each source aggregated. This applies directly to campaign committees, political committees, and entities supporting candidates or ballot measures. The change increases transparency by replacing aggregate reporting with detailed, itemized contributor lists.

Maddy summarySF 1316 prohibits Minnesota state legislators from receiving per diem payments during regular legislative sessions, which directly affects all elected members of the Minnesota Legislature. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.099, by adding a specific provision (subdivision 1(c)) stating members "are prohibited from receiving per diem payments during a regular session." It also clarifies that legislators may only receive certain specified compensation types, such as salary, insurance contributions, and retirement plan contributions, excluding per diem during regular sessions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1314 creates special rules for Ramsey's tax increment financing district, directly affecting the city of Ramsey and its redevelopment projects. The bill exempts certain standard requirements under Minnesota law, including the five-year development timeline (extending it to ten years) and restrictions on pooling funds. It specifically allows the city to include parcels like those near the Northstar Transit Station infrastructure in the district and clarifies eligibility for costs related to prior land acquisitions and public improvements. These changes streamline the city's ability to use tax increment financing for local development projects within the defined district boundaries.

Maddy summarySF 1288 establishes that direct primary care service agreements - where patients pay a flat fee directly to a provider for primary care services - are not considered insurance and are exempt from Minnesota's insurance regulations. This affects primary care providers (like physicians or nurse practitioners) who operate under this model and their patients, who pay a direct fee instead of traditional insurance. The bill amends statutes to clarify that such agreements are not subject to licensing requirements for insurance businesses (under chapters 60A, 62C, 62D, or 62N) and defines key terms like "direct primary care practice" and "direct fee." It creates a clear regulatory pathway for this care model without requiring insurance licenses. The policy change directly modifies how these agreements are classified under state law.

Maddy summarySF 896 establishes a one-time transfer of funds to Minnesota's active transportation account. It directs $19.5 million from the general fund to the active transportation account for fiscal year 2024 and $19.215 million for fiscal year 2025, under Minnesota Statutes § 174.38. The bill amends prior law to set a base transfer amount of $8.155 million for fiscal year 2026 and $8.284 million for fiscal year 2027. This bill affects the state's active transportation funding mechanism by formalizing these specific transfers. (This is a procedural bill regarding fund allocation, not a new program.)

Maddy summarySF 1273 repeals Minnesota Statutes section 297A.9925, which established a 0.25% sales and use tax on retail purchases in metropolitan counties. This tax funded housing assistance programs, distributing 25% to state rent assistance, 25% to city housing aid, and 50% to county housing aid. The repeal takes effect July 1, 2025, eliminating this dedicated revenue source for housing programs in the metro area. The bill directly affects metropolitan counties and the housing assistance accounts funded by this tax.