Sen. Karin Housley

Maddy summarySF 2085 establishes a pilot program to help seniors aged 55+ in Lake, St. Louis, and Washington counties reduce living costs by matching them with adults needing affordable housing who can rent spare rooms in their homes. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency will administer the program using $150,000 in state funds, requiring participating organizations to handle communications, manage payments, conduct background checks, and verify renters' employment or school status. The program directly affects seniors seeking to offset housing costs and adults needing affordable housing in those three counties. It creates a structured matching system rather than direct subsidies, focusing on connecting available housing space with housing needs through a state-funded pilot.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $4 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's food shelf programs. The funds are directed to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for use under Minnesota Statutes section 142F.14, which governs community food shelf operations. The appropriation adds to the existing base funding for these programs, which provide emergency food assistance to Minnesotans facing food insecurity. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy requirements for the programs themselves.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally acknowledges the strong historical and cultural ties between Norway and Minnesota, recognizing the significant contributions of Norwegian immigrants to the state's communities and traditions. The bill highlights shared values such as democratic governance and resilience in cold weather, while celebrating specific cultural events and organizations that preserve Norwegian heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the resolution and send it to the Norwegian Parliament delegation as a gesture of welcome and partnership. Because this is a ceremonial measure rather than a law with enforceable rules, it does not alter existing statutes or create new legal obligations for citizens or government agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1883) creates a specific exemption in Minnesota's Human Rights Act for women's athletics. It allows schools, sports organizations, and other entities to limit participation in women's sports teams solely to individuals assigned female at birth based on biological sex, excluding trans-identifying athletes. The exemption defines "sex" as biological sex at birth (including chromosomes and genetics), separate from gender identity, and protects organizations from complaints or penalties if they enforce this policy. It does not affect men's sports teams or allow exclusion of individuals based on gender identity in other contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.4 million from state bonds to fund improvements at intersections along U.S. Highway 14 in Byron, Minnesota. The funds will cover environmental analysis, design work, and eventual construction of grade-separated interchanges (replacing at-grade intersections and traffic signals) at key points including Highway 14's intersections with Olmsted County State-Aid Highways 3 and 5. The project directly affects Byron residents, commuters, and drivers using this corridor by aiming to improve traffic flow and safety. The bond proceeds must first be used for planning and design before funding construction of the interchanges and associated infrastructure.

Maddy summarySF 1906 modifies Minnesota's housing tax credit program to allow exceptions to income limits for qualifying workforce housing projects. It directly affects developers and housing organizations seeking funding through the Minnesota Housing Tax Credit Contribution Account program, particularly for projects targeting workforce housing. The bill creates an exception to standard income limits (as defined in section 462A.33, subdivision 5) for projects meeting specific criteria under section 462A.39, subdivision 4, paragraph (a). Additionally, it allows contributions to the housing tax credit account to count toward matching requirements for these projects, providing more flexibility in funding structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to Neighbors, Inc. through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The funds will directly support Neighbors, Inc. in providing social services outreach, training, capacity building, support services, programming, and administrative support to the community. It is a straightforward grant appropriation with no policy changes beyond funding these specific services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction of new public or charter schools within one-quarter mile of certain former landfills or dump sites. It directly affects school districts planning new facilities by banning construction on land near sites listed by the Pollution Control Agency as potentially contaminated or identified in a 2001 study. Key provisions define "closed landfill" and "dump site" and specify that the prohibition covers school buildings, playgrounds, and athletic fields. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1823 requires Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) to include specific details in its annual report to legislative committees about how state agencies are addressing audit recommendations from the Legislative Auditor. The bill mandates that for each recommendation, the report must detail: (1) actions taken, (2) completion status, (3) reasons for delays, (4) remaining work needed, and (5) a timeline for full resolution. This directly affects MMB and all executive agencies subject to Legislative Auditor audits. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 16A.057 to enforce these reporting requirements, effective January 15 annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $8.4 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide grants to school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and school bus service companies. The funds are specifically for purchasing and installing camera systems that capture vehicles passing stopped school buses with flashing lights. The commissioner of public safety must distribute these grants following existing requirements from 2021 legislation, and the one-time appropriation expires June 30, 2027. The policy directly affects school transportation safety by funding technology to enforce stop-signal laws.