Sen. Karin Housley

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $240 million from the general fund for one-time grants to replace lead service lines connecting water mains to homes. The funds, available until June 30, 2033, will be administered by the Public Facilities Authority under state law. It directly affects communities and homeowners with lead pipes, which pose health risks, by providing financial support for their replacement. The key mechanism is a state grant program targeting the physical infrastructure upgrade of aging water service lines.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's school health education requirements to mandate comprehensive cannabis and substance use education programs for middle and high school students, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. School districts and charter schools must implement programs covering topics like fentanyl use, emphasizing respect for community values and encouraging students to discuss concerns with parents or trusted adults. The programs must also connect students to local resources for accurate information and treatment options regarding substance use. These requirements apply to all public schools in Minnesota and align with existing education statutes.

Maddy summarySF 1788 appropriates $20 million from state bonds to fund grants for metropolitan cities in Minnesota to reduce stormwater and groundwater entering municipal wastewater systems (inflow and infiltration). Eligible cities must be identified by the Metropolitan Council as contributors of excessive inflow/infiltration or near allowable limits, and grants cover up to 50% of eligible capital improvement costs for system upgrades. The funds come from bonds issued under Minnesota law, with the Metropolitan Council distributing grants based on city applications and established guidelines. This directly affects cities within the metro area defined under Minnesota Statutes §473.121, focusing on infrastructure improvements to reduce strain on regional sewer systems.

Maddy summarySF 2468 amends Minnesota Statutes § 609.377 to establish mandatory minimum sentences for severe child punishment. It directly affects parents, guardians, or caretakers who cause specific harm, including head/eye injuries to children under four, multiple bruises, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm. The bill sets mandatory prison terms (1-10 years) and fines ($1,000-$20,000) based on harm severity: 1-5 years for substantial harm or repeat offenses, and 2-10 years for great bodily harm. These penalties apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025. The law does not create new offenses but increases sentencing requirements for existing violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $275,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for a veterans memorial in Forest Lake. The funds will be granted to the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee to construct a memorial honoring U.S. armed forces veterans at Lakeside Memorial Park. The bill directly affects the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee and the city of Forest Lake, providing specific funding for this project in fiscal year 2026. It is a procedural appropriation bill with no new policy requirements beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $550,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $550,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's workforce development fund to the International Institute of Minnesota. The funds will support workforce training programs for immigrants and refugees (referred to as "New Americans" in the bill) in industries facing labor shortages. The training aims to connect these individuals with job opportunities in high-demand sectors. This is a one-time funding allocation, not an ongoing program.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $44,000 from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the Palliative Care Advisory Council under Minnesota Statutes section 144.059. It provides direct funding for the council's operations, enabling its work in advising on palliative care policies. The funding is a specific, one-time allocation for the council's existing statutory role, with no new policy changes or eligibility criteria established. This is a straightforward budgetary provision affecting only the council's operational capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2466) modifies Minnesota's Paid Leave Law to clarify who qualifies for benefits. It updates definitions to include employees working primarily in Minnesota (50% of hours) or working across states with Minnesota residence (50% of year), while excluding self-employed workers, independent contractors, and seasonal hospitality workers (defined as ≤180 days/year in hospitality with specific revenue thresholds). The bill also expands the definition of "family member" to include in-laws and individuals with personal care relationships, and allows the state to contract private companies to process benefits and handle tax withholdings. These changes affect Minnesota workers, employers, and self-employed individuals seeking paid leave under the law.

Maddy summarySF 2084, the "Supporting Women Act," would establish a state grant program to fund nonprofit women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes in Minnesota. The bill provides grants to organizations that offer free or low-cost support services - including housing, medical referrals, mental health care, and parenting education - to pregnant women and new mothers in crisis, homelessness, or at risk of homelessness. Grants cannot be used for abortion counseling, referrals, or services (except in life-threatening cases), and recipients must maintain strict privacy protections for client information. The commissioner of health would administer the program and monitor compliance with these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's definition of "endangered" for the missing and endangered persons program. It adds specific circumstances that would trigger this status, including medical needs requiring immediate care, mental impairments (like dementia or Alzheimer's), lack of a history of running away, past threats of violence, and being lost in wilderness areas. Law enforcement agencies would use this broader definition to determine when a missing person case requires urgent search and rescue efforts. The change directly affects how police respond to missing persons reports under existing protocols.