Sen. Karin Housley

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,500,000 from state bond proceeds to fund sewer system upgrades in Taylors Falls. The funds will be provided to the city through the Public Facilities Authority for designing, constructing, and equipping new sewer infrastructure. The state will issue up to $1.5 million in bonds under Minnesota law to cover this cost. The project directly affects Taylors Falls residents by improving their local wastewater infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund for the WonderTrek Children's Museum in Baxter, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The funds are designated for phase I capital improvements to their nine-acre campus, including site infrastructure, landscaping, a 2,400-square-foot indoor-outdoor classroom, four acres of nature play exhibits, and outdoor recreation facilities. The appropriation is one-time and available until project completion, per Minnesota Statutes. It directly affects the museum’s physical expansion plans and requires the commissioner of employment and economic development to disburse the grant.

Maddy summarySF 3151 establishes Minnesota's Healthy Aging Subcabinet within Minnesota Management and Budget to coordinate state efforts supporting older adults. The bill requires the creation of a Minnesota Healthy Aging Plan through a statewide planning process led by a governor-appointed director with expertise in aging services. Key mechanisms include directing the subcabinet to integrate aging considerations into agency planning, identify funding for community-based aging initiatives, analyze healthcare access gaps, and engage older adults and caregivers through a Citizens' Engagement Council. The legislation appropriates funds for the new Office of Healthy Aging and mandates annual reports to the legislature on progress toward equitable aging opportunities. This bill directly affects state agencies, older Minnesotans, caregivers, and community service providers by structuring a coordinated approach to aging policy.

Maddy summarySF 3071 modifies Minnesota's rules for when family members can provide home care nursing services without being paid as professional staff. It adds a new hardship criterion allowing family caregivers (parents, spouses, legal guardians) to qualify if labor conditions, language needs, or intermittent care requirements make them necessary to meet a recipient's medical needs. This change expands the existing criteria, which previously only covered job changes (resigning, reducing hours, or unpaid leave). The bill does not alter the existing limits on hours caregivers can provide (max 40-60 hours weekly) or other requirements like background checks. It directly affects family caregivers and home care recipients in Minnesota's state plan home care or waiver programs.

Maddy summarySF 3140 requires the state agency administering Minnesota's First-Generation Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance Fund to submit an annual report by January 15 to legislative housing committees. The report must detail, by county, the total number of down payment assistance awards, the total amount awarded, and the types of housing purchased (e.g., single-family homes, condos, manufactured housing). This bill does not change the assistance program itself but mandates transparency by requiring specific data collection and reporting. The requirement applies to the state agency managing the fund and affects how housing finance data is tracked and shared with lawmakers.

Maddy summarySF 3113 authorizes the state to issue up to $394.61 million in bonds for capital improvements at three specific St. Paul venues: the RiverCentre arena, RiverCentre complex, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. The bill funds renovations, safety upgrades, accessibility features, HVAC/electrical system replacements, and other operational improvements at these venues. Proceeds from the bonds will be deposited into a dedicated state fund, with interest income used to cover debt service payments. The legislation directly affects these public event spaces and their operations, without specifying new policies or programs beyond the physical upgrades.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4.9 million from the general fund for the Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a base appropriation of $4.9 million continuing annually starting in 2028. The funding is directed to the commissioner of public safety to support the Task Force's operations. The bill directly affects the Task Force by providing dedicated state funding for its work on human trafficking investigations. It does not create new policies but ensures ongoing financial support for an existing state-level law enforcement initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $11.125 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to Minnesota's commissioner of human services. The funds are specifically designated to support sexually exploited youth and youth at risk of sexual exploitation under Minnesota Statutes §256K.47. At least $9 million each year must be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, regional navigation services, and housing programs. The bill directly affects vulnerable youth by funding immediate safety and housing resources through existing state human services programs.

Maddy summarySF 2685 requires the Minnesota State High School League to secure catastrophic accident insurance covering student athletes in all league-sponsored sports, including pregame/postgame activities and ninth graders. The policy must provide at least $10 million in lifetime coverage per injury with a $50,000 deductible, covering medical care, medications, vehicles, and wheelchairs related to the injury. The bill directly affects all student athletes, managers, trainers, and cheerleaders participating in Minnesota high school league activities. It also mandates specific payments to two former athletes injured in 2011 (hockey) and 2022 (football) for expenses not covered by insurance, effective after 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to establish the Minnesota Age in Place Network through a grant to Age Well at Home. It directly affects low- to moderate-income homeowners aged 60+ who own their homes, by funding home modifications and safety renovations (like grab bars or ramps) at their residences. Each project is capped at $20,000, and up to 10% of the grant can cover administrative costs for the network’s setup and maintenance. The funding is specific to home safety improvements, not broader services or income support.