Sen. John Hoffman

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of a highway interchange at Trunk Highway 610 and East River Road (Anoka County State-Aid Highway 1) in Coon Rapids. It authorizes the state to sell up to $10 million in bonds to cover the project's final design, land acquisition, construction, and related improvements. The funds are specifically for the portion of the project eligible for highway bond financing, building on prior appropriations for the same location. This directly affects Coon Rapids residents and commuters using this major intersection by improving traffic flow and safety.

Maddy summarySF 1502 amends Minnesota's Read Act to require public schools to use evidence-based reading instruction grounded in "science of reading" research, directly affecting K-3 students and educators statewide. The bill mandates schools adopt approved screeners for foundational reading skills, use specific evidence-based intervention models (approved by the Department of Education and CAREI), and provide professional development focused on structured literacy. It explicitly excludes the "three-cueing system" and requires the Department of Education to develop templates for local literacy plans and track implementation. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with key deadlines for approving interventions and screeners by June 2025. The bill cancels existing appropriations while redirecting resources toward evidence-based literacy implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's health commissioner to periodically update the list of genetic tests used to screen for heritable or congenital disorders, ensuring the list reflects medical advances and improves public health. Specifically, it mandates adding metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) testing to the required screening panel. The revision process must consider factors like test accuracy, treatability of the disorder, and severity of health impacts. This directly affects newborns and infants in Minnesota who undergo routine screening, as well as healthcare providers administering these tests. The change is effective immediately upon the commissioner's revision, with no additional rulemaking requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7,039,000 from state bond proceeds to fund water infrastructure improvements in the City of Ghent. It directly affects Ghent residents by financing the expansion and rehabilitation of sanitary ponds ($5,084,000) to address water quality and capacity issues, and construction of a new water tower with clean drinking water infrastructure ($1,955,000) to improve water pressure and meet regional requirements. The funds will be raised through the sale of state bonds, as authorized under Minnesota law. The project aims to resolve inflow/infiltration problems and capacity limits caused by population growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from state bond proceeds to fund a noise barrier along U.S. Highway 10 in Anoka, specifically on the south side from Fairoak Avenue to the West Main Street/Greenhaven Road interchange. It authorizes the state to sell up to $3 million in bonds, with the proceeds deposited into the trunk highway fund to cover construction costs. The project directly affects residents and properties near this highway segment by addressing noise pollution. The funds are allocated exclusively for this barrier construction, following standard bond issuance procedures under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design to publicly disclose when a complaint was initiated by the board's executive director - not by a member of the public. It mandates that the board and the person being complained about must be explicitly informed if the executive director filed the complaint. All documents related to such complaints must also be shared with the subject of the complaint. The requirement applies to complaints submitted or initiated on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts from Minnesota's tobacco product taxes the sales of cigars shipped out-of-state for interstate commerce. It directly affects manufacturers and distributors who sell cigars to other states, not local retailers or consumers. The key provision adds that such interstate shipments are excluded from taxes under sections 297F.05(3) and (3a) of Minnesota law. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not apply to cigars sold within Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 475 amends Minnesota Statutes section 181.932 to expand whistleblower protections for public employees by adding three new categories of protected disclosures. It now prohibits retaliation for employees reporting scientific or technical studies (in good faith) to government bodies, classified state employees reporting information about state services (including financing) to legislators or the legislative auditor, and employees reporting gross mismanagement or waste of public funds to entities like the legislative auditor, legislators, or constitutional officers. The law already protected employees reporting violations of law, participation in investigations, refusal of unlawful orders, and health care quality issues, and this bill extends those protections to the new categories. The bill directly affects public employees in state and local government who disclose concerns about illegal activities, safety risks, or misuse of public resources without fear of retaliation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state funding mechanism to provide annual aid to local fire and ambulance special taxing districts in Minnesota. It requires the state commissioner of revenue to calculate and pay each eligible district 50% of its certified levy from the previous year, with total aid capped by annual appropriations from the general fund. Payments are scheduled for July 20 each year, starting in 2026, and the commissioner must certify amounts by August 1 prior to payment. The aid applies specifically to districts formed under existing state laws for fire or ambulance services, directly supporting their operational funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $8 million in bonds to fund a public safety training facility and emergency operations center in Rogers, Minnesota. The funds will be granted to the city of Rogers for construction within its new police department facility, including officer wellness space and embedded social worker offices. The state will sell bonds to cover the cost, with the appropriation coming from the bond proceeds fund as specified in Minnesota law. The project directly affects Rogers' public safety operations and personnel.