Sen. Karin Housley

Maddy summarySF 920 appropriates $1.3 million from the general fund for one-time improvements at the Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake in Washington County. The funds will be granted to the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp Association to design, construct, and install new wastewater infrastructure at the campground. This bill directly affects the campground's operations and the veterans who use it, by upgrading essential facilities. The appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, per state funding rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1 million in bonds to fund a specific trail extension. It appropriates $1 million from bond proceeds to the Metropolitan Council for a grant to Washington County, specifically for acquiring land, designing, and building the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail extension within Hugo, Minnesota. The funds will cover the costs of extending this existing regional trail project. The bill directly affects Washington County (Hugo) and the Metropolitan Council, which administers the grant.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.6 million from state bonds to fund specific wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Scandia, Minnesota. The funds will directly support the city of Scandia for installing nitrate pretreatment equipment at the Bliss wastewater plant and repairing its primary lift station. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover this cost, with the money distributed through the Public Facilities Authority as a grant to the city. It does not create new regulations but provides targeted funding for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota Historical Society for the Minnesota Transportation Museum in St. Paul. The funds will cover specific capital improvements including roof replacement, masonry stabilization, roundhouse door replacement, insulation installation, and ADA compliance modifications. The appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, subject to state funding rules. The bill directly affects the museum's physical infrastructure and accessibility.

Maddy summarySF 917 authorizes the state to issue up to $1,050,000 in bonds to fund a 12-unit youth transitional facility in Perham, Otter Tail County. The bill appropriates these bond proceeds to the county for designing, constructing, and equipping the facility, which will provide comprehensive supportive services to youth transitioning from foster care or institutional settings. The facility aims to link housing with services like counseling and job training in a residential setting. This legislation directly affects Otter Tail County and youth in need of transitional housing support.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from state bond proceeds to Washington County for specific Brown's Creek State Trail improvements. It funds two projects: connecting County State-Aid Highway 5 to the trail and constructing an overlook at the historic Point Douglas-Saint Louis River Road Bridge. The funds will be raised through a state bond sale authorized under Minnesota Statutes. The project directly affects Washington County residents and trail users by enhancing trail access and viewing areas. The bond issuance follows standard state procedures for capital improvement funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits counties from charging fees when homeowners seek to remove discriminatory housing restrictions (like those based on race or religion) from property titles. It directly affects homeowners in Minnesota who need to clear outdated restrictive covenants from their property records. The key provision amends state law to require county recorders to accept the removal form without charging a fee, ensuring the process is cost-free. This change applies to covenants related to protected classes and takes effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 753 requires Minnesota public school districts to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before providing sexual education to minor students. This bill directly affects school districts, parents/guardians of minors, and minor students in public schools. The key provision mandates that written consent must be secured for sexual education curriculum, which was not previously required by law. School districts must now implement a process to collect this consent, while existing parental review processes for other curriculum remain unchanged. The bill does not alter requirements for alternative instruction or other instructional materials.

Maddy summarySF 799 appropriates $350,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support displaced homemaker programs in Minnesota. The funds will be distributed through the adult career pathways program to existing nonprofit and state-run displaced homemaker initiatives via the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership. This is a one-time funding allocation specifically for programs assisting homemakers seeking career transitions. The bill does not create new programs but provides direct financial support to current service providers.

Maddy summarySF 316 expands Minnesota's sales tax exemption for baby products by adding specific items to the existing list. The bill adds baby wipes, cribs and bassinets, crib/bassinet mattresses, changing tables/pads, strollers, car seats, and infant eating utensils to the exemption, which already covers items like breast pumps and baby bottles. This change directly affects parents and caregivers purchasing these essential baby products, as they will no longer pay state sales tax on these items. The exemption applies to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2025, and amends Minnesota Statutes section 297A.67, subdivision 9.