Sen. Karin Housley

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $4 million in state bonds to fund a new regional training and public safety facility for the Lakes Area Police Commission. The facility will serve the cities of Lindstrom and Chisago City, along with surrounding areas, and is intended for joint law enforcement operations under Minnesota Statutes, section 471.59. The appropriation requires that $4 million in nonstate funding be secured before state funds can be released. The bill directs the state to sell bonds to cover the cost, with funds available only after the commissioner of management and budget confirms matching contributions.

Maddy summarySF 199 creates a property tax credit for homeowners in designated redevelopment areas. It directly affects owners of residential properties (classified as 1a or 1b) located in second-class cities previously designated as redevelopment areas under federal law. The credit equals 70% of a home's tax value multiplied by the local capital debt tax rate, reducing property taxes paid to the city. County auditors certify credits to the state, which reimburses cities in two installments annually, with funds appropriated from the general fund. The credit takes effect for taxes payable in 2026.

Maddy summarySF 257 appropriates $1.95 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund food distribution through Second Harvest Heartland. It directly supports Minnesota's six Feeding America food banks and their affiliated food shelves by requiring funds to purchase milk (with $850,000 yearly), surplus produce from Minnesota farms, and protein products (like meat and eggs) from Minnesota processors. The bill mandates that all food must be sourced locally, specifies distribution formulas, and allows limited administrative costs (up to 15% for produce programs). Second Harvest Heartland must submit quarterly reports tracking fund usage, food purchases, and distribution to food banks.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota's Department of Transportation from reducing travel lanes or building boulevards or land bridges on the marked Interstate Highway 94 corridor between Minneapolis and St. Paul. It bars the transportation commissioner from studying, proposing, or funding any boulevard or land bridge design for this highway segment, with exceptions only for routine maintenance, resurfacing, or emergency repairs. The law directly affects state transportation planning for this specific highway corridor and prevents design changes that could alter traffic flow or infrastructure. It amends Minnesota Statutes to enforce these restrictions as a permanent policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "low-alcohol malt liquor" as fermented malt beverages containing 2% alcohol or less by weight and authorizes food retailers (like supermarkets, convenience stores, and grocery chains) to obtain off-sale licenses for these products. It expands where malt liquor can be sold by creating a new license category for food retailers to sell low-alcohol malt liquor for takeout, not just on-premises. The bill amends multiple sections of Minnesota's liquor laws to implement these changes, including updating definitions and licensing rules. This directly affects food retailers seeking to sell malt liquor alongside groceries.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's law on fleeing police officers in vehicles by creating two new felony offenses. It adds a felony charge for drivers who flee recklessly endangering others (subdivision 3a) and another for fleeing while violating specific traffic laws like ignoring signs or staying on the wrong side of the road (subdivision 3b). Drivers convicted face increased penalties, including longer license revocations (up to 10 years for the most severe cases), and the bill also allows police to use tracking devices on fleeing vehicles. The changes apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 172 creates a small business sales tax allowance in Minnesota, directly affecting retailers with 15 or fewer employees. The bill allows these businesses to retain up to $500 of sales tax they collect, calculated as half a percent of the tax collected during a reporting period, provided they report and remit the remaining tax on time. This allowance reduces the amount they must pay to the state, but it cannot lower their total tax obligation below zero. The policy takes effect for sales taxes due after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 190) adds enhanced penalties for assaulting youth sports officials in Minnesota. It defines "sports official" broadly to include umpires, referees, scorekeepers, and similar roles in youth athletic activities. The law makes it a gross misdemeanor to assault an official causing physical injury or intentionally throw bodily fluids/feces at them due to their role. These penalties apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 181 authorizes the state to sell up to $20 million in bonds to fund the Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Program. The funds will be used to provide grants to rail service providers for projects improving rail infrastructure and operations, as outlined in Minnesota Statutes section 222.50. This bill directly affects rail operators and communities seeking funding for rail service enhancements. The program is financed through bond sales following state constitutional and statutory procedures for bond issuance.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for intentionally transferring pistols or semiautomatic military-style assault weapons to individuals who are legally prohibited from owning them. Under the new provisions, such a transfer would be classified as a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, rather than a gross misdemeanor. The law further escalates the punishment to up to five years in prison and a $20,000 fine if the recipient uses the weapon in a violent felony within one year of receiving it. These changes apply to transfers where the recipient has been denied a permit, found ineligible by law enforcement, or is otherwise disqualified under state law.