Sen. Michael Kreun

Maddy summarySF 256 ensures students with disabilities in Minnesota schools can access their service animals as part of their individualized education plan. The bill prohibits school districts from denying access to service animals (defined as trained dogs or animals assisting people with disabilities) and requires schools to provide staff support - like helping with tethering or water - for students to use their animals. Schools must modify policies by August 2025 to comply with federal ADA rules, but they are not responsible for animal care (feeding, toileting, or vet visits). This directly affects students with disabilities who rely on service animals for educational access.

Maddy summarySF 323 amends Minnesota law to create a new felony charge for drivers who flee police officers while operating a vehicle in a culpably negligent manner - defined as driving recklessly and creating an unreasonable risk of death or serious injury to others. It specifically targets cases where drivers knowingly flee officers but operate vehicles with reckless disregard for safety, adding a distinct penalty category under Minnesota Statutes § 609.487, subdivision 3a. This new offense carries a potential sentence of up to four years in prison or an $8,000 fine, separate from existing fleeing penalties. The bill modifies license revocation rules for such offenses and takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed after that date.

Maddy summarySF 294 modifies Minnesota's driver's license road skills examination process. It requires the driver's license department to provide real-time online appointment availability showing next available dates/times at each location, with options to search by address. The bill also increases cancellation fees: $50 for same-day cancellations (up from $20) and keeps $20 for cancellations between 24-72 hours. These changes apply to individuals scheduling road skills exams for driver's license applicants, effective August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects specific sales and use tax collections (from section 297A.94, paragraph m) to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. The funds are designated solely for deferred maintenance costs at the National Sports Center in Blaine, as determined annually by the Department of Administration. If no maintenance costs are identified each year, the funds revert to the general fund. It modifies existing tax allocation rules without creating new taxes or broad policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7.2 million for fiscal year 2025, and $2.9 million each for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to hire additional Minnesota State Patrol troopers. The funds are specifically for staff and equipment costs related to these new troopers, under the commissioner of public safety. The bill explicitly prohibits using these funds for permanent Capitol security troopers or nonsworn officers. It becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 290 modifies data requirements for Minnesota applicants seeking noncompliant driver's licenses or identification cards (typically used by individuals without standard proof of legal presence). It requires the state to collect specific, non-identifiable data about foreign documents submitted (country of origin, document type, and whether the document was previously used), but prohibits sharing any applicant-identifiable information. The bill strictly limits sharing "immigration status data" only for jury service accuracy, victim outreach, processing specific federal forms, or when required by court orders. It explicitly bans sharing such data with federal immigration enforcement agencies, except under a valid warrant or court order.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands background checks for noncitizen applicants seeking a permit to carry a firearm in Minnesota. It requires noncitizen applicants to provide their country of birth and alien number or admission number on their application (added to Minnesota Statutes §624.714, subd. 3, cl. 7). Sheriffs must also perform an Immigration Alien Query (IAQ) check on noncitizen applicants, in addition to standard criminal record checks. The policy directly affects noncitizen residents applying for firearm permits, requiring them to disclose immigration status details during the background check process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law regarding blackout special license plates. It requires applicants for these plates to contribute $30 annually to the driver and vehicle services operating account instead of an unspecified fund. The change directly affects vehicle owners who purchase blackout special license plates for passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. The key provision specifies that these $30 contributions must be deposited into the highway user tax distribution fund, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter plate eligibility or fees, only the destination of the annual contribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7.2 million for fiscal year 2025, $2.9 million for 2026, and $2.9 million for 2027 from the trunk highway fund to hire additional Minnesota State Patrol troopers. The funds cover staff salaries and equipment costs for these new troopers. It directly affects the Minnesota State Patrol by providing dedicated funding for expanding their personnel. This is a funding measure with no policy changes, solely supporting increased staffing levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases presumptive sentence lengths by 25% for certain criminal sexual conduct offenses under Minnesota Statutes (sections 609.342-609.3458) committed on or after August 1, 2025. It directly affects individuals convicted of these specific crimes, excluding cases where the offender held a position of authority over the victim (e.g., a supervisor or teacher). The Sentencing Guidelines Commission must implement this change in the 2025 sentencing grid, applying the longer sentences to new convictions after the effective date. The increase applies to all listed offenses except those involving authority figures, as specified in the bill.