Sen. Karin Housley

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $30 million in state appropriation bonds to fund security improvements at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, home of the Minnesota Vikings. The "secured perimeter" includes physical barriers like fencing, gates, bollards, surveillance systems, and metal detectors. Proceeds from the bonds would be repaid using state appropriations and payments from the stadium authority, with debt service covered by the general fund. The measure directly affects state taxpayers through bond financing and the stadium's operational funding, while enhancing security infrastructure at the venue. It does not alter stadium ownership or operations, only funding security upgrades.

Maddy summarySF 674 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. The funds are designated for a grant to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a Stillwater-based nonprofit, to provide outdoor recreational activities combined with mental health services. This program directly supports currently serving military personnel and veterans across Minnesota, aiming to improve mental health outcomes and quality of life through structured outdoor engagement. The bill focuses on funding a specific existing nonprofit's services rather than creating new state programs or regulations.

Maddy summarySF 1650 establishes a grant program to fund nonprofit women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes that support pregnant women and new mothers. Eligible organizations must provide free housing and services (like medical care, mental health support, and parenting education) without promoting or referring for abortions - except in life-threatening cases. The commissioner of health will administer the program, requiring strict privacy protections for client information and monitoring to ensure compliance with eligibility rules. This program directly affects community-based organizations serving pregnant women facing crisis situations, such as homelessness.

Maddy summarySF 2171 creates a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in new single-family homes built for first-time homebuyers in Minnesota. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who own and occupy the home, covering taxes paid on the first $460,000 of construction costs. The exemption works by requiring sellers to collect the tax upfront and then refund it to the homebuyer through a standard process. The provision expires on July 1, 2033, and applies to construction completed after June 30, 2025. This bill modifies Minnesota Statutes sections 297A.71 and 297A.75 to establish this specific tax relief.

Maddy summarySF 2178 creates a refundable tax exemption for construction materials used in new duplexes and triplexes intended for first-time homebuyers. Developers pay sales tax upfront on construction costs but receive a refund for taxes paid on the first $460,000 of qualifying construction expenses. To qualify, the first-time homebuyer must own and occupy at least one unit in the building. The exemption applies to sales/purchases after June 30, 2025, and expires July 1, 2033. It directly affects developers building qualifying multifamily housing and first-time homebuyers who occupy the units.

Maddy summaryThis bill, if enacted, would restrict participation in girls' high school and middle school sports teams to students assigned female at birth. It requires students to provide a physician's statement confirming their sex based solely on reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and chromosomes if a dispute arises. The law would apply to all public and private K-12 schools in Minnesota offering sex-restricted athletic teams. Currently pending in the Education Policy committee, it is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025, if passed. The bill does not change existing team eligibility rules but establishes specific medical criteria for determining eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's housing law to extend full housing access rights to people training service dogs. It defines a "service dog in training" as a dog being trained by an accredited organization (like Assistance Dogs International) under supervision. The law requires landlords and homeowners associations to allow these dogs without charging extra fees, though trainers must provide written certification from the training organization and cover damage caused by the dog. The accommodation ends once the training is complete. This directly affects disabled individuals training service dogs and housing providers.

Maddy summarySF 802 requires Minnesota public schools and charter schools to designate restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and showers for exclusive use based on biological sex, defined as a person's chromosomes and anatomy. It specifically prohibits students with a Y chromosome from using facilities designated for females. The bill also sets rules for athletic teams, allowing sex-segregated teams only if athletic opportunities for that sex were previously limited, while requiring equal resources for comparable teams. These provisions apply to all public schools in Minnesota, directly affecting student access to facilities and sports programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $20 million in state bonds to fund park and trail improvements in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The funds will be used by the Metropolitan Council and local governments for capital projects like park upgrades, trail construction, and acquiring open-space lands - excluding easements. The money comes from bond sales, following standard state borrowing procedures outlined in Minnesota law. It directly affects regional park systems and local communities by providing dedicated funding for recreational infrastructure.

Maddy summarySF 1888 authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $1 million in state bonds to fund electric bus charging stations for school transportation. The bill appropriates $1 million from bond proceeds to the commissioner of commerce for grants to eligible school districts and public transit providers under Minnesota Statutes § 216C.374. These grants will support installing Level 2 and Level 3 charging infrastructure specifically for electric buses used to transport students. The funding mechanism relies on state bond sales, not general appropriations, and aligns with the existing electric school bus deployment program.