Sen. Jim Abeler

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the number of covered physical therapy visits available to children under Minnesota's medical assistance program. It establishes a limit of 30 visits per year for children recovering from hospital-based surgeries, while maintaining a limit of 14 visits for all other recipients. The legislation also clarifies reimbursement rates for physical therapy assistants, ensuring they are paid the same as physical therapists when working on-site, but at 65 percent of the standard rate when working remotely. These changes take effect the day after final enactment, with the new visit limits for children applying starting January 1, 2027, or upon federal approval, whichever occurs later.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires members of the Minnesota State High School League to permit live and recorded video broadcasts of their extracurricular competitions on public access channels. The legislation mandates that the league create a policy ensuring these broadcasts are available through public, educational, or governmental access systems without violating existing contracts. By adding a new subdivision to state statutes, the measure directly impacts high school sports organizations and local public access television providers. The policy must be implemented immediately upon the bill's final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of the Ombudsperson for Anti-Asian, Anti-Asian Indian, and Anti-Religious Hate Prevention to address gaps in identifying and investigating hate incidents and crimes targeting Asian and Asian Indian individuals in Minnesota. The ombudsperson will receive complaints, assist victims in navigating reporting processes, collect disaggregated data on bias incidents, and coordinate with law enforcement, schools, and community organizations to improve response efforts. The office will also develop bias-aware training and cultural competency education for state agencies, local law enforcement, and K-12 schools to help prevent and respond to hate-motivated conduct. The bill includes provisions for funding the office and requires the ombudsperson to report findings and recommendations to legislative committees.

Maddy summarySF 3951 establishes Minnesota's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a framework allowing licensed respiratory therapists from member states to practice across state lines more easily. The bill creates a system where therapists licensed in Minnesota (the "home state") could practice in other participating states ("remote states") without needing separate licenses, while preserving each state's authority to regulate therapy practice. Key provisions include standardized definitions, a shared data system for license verification, and requirements like criminal background checks. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking multi-state work and patients in member states who may gain better access to care, particularly supporting military families relocating between states. The bill is currently in committee after its introduction on February 26, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 2630 converts the Governor's Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota into the permanent "Age-Friendly Minnesota Council" and codifies existing grant programs. The bill establishes a 15-member council with voting members from state agencies (like Health, Human Services, and Transportation) and six public members appointed by the governor to represent older adults, caregivers, Tribal communities, and underserved areas. The council's duties include coordinating age-friendly efforts across state agencies, reviewing grants, promoting equity for older adults of color and Indigenous communities, and making policy recommendations. The bill also appropriates funding to support the council's operations and ensures regular meetings with public participation options.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a property tax valuation freeze for homesteads owned and occupied by individuals who are 65 years of age or older, effective starting with the 2026 tax assessment. Under this provision, the estimated market value of the home, garage, and surrounding acreage cannot increase from the previous year's value unless the property has been improved or renovated. To qualify, both spouses in a married couple must be at least 65, and owners must apply to their county assessor by July 1 of the assessment year with proof of age. The legislation also requires county assessors to update their annual public notices to inform eligible residents about this new valuation limitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5 million from the state's general fund to support the construction of a community center on the White Earth Reservation. The funds are designated for the White Earth Band of Ojibwe to cover costs related to design, site preparation, construction, and equipping the facility. Once built, the center will offer spaces for health services, wellness activities, and community gatherings open to both Tribal and non-Tribal residents. This is a one-time allocation that remains available until the project is finished or discontinued.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the commissioner of health in Minnesota to award grants for peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs and training programs for high school students. It directly affects school districts, charter schools, alternative schools, and nonprofit organizations by providing funding to implement evidence-based initiatives. The grants would support programs where students in grades 9 through 12 serve as peer mentors under adult supervision, helping identify warning signs of mental health crises and referring peers to trusted adults. The legislation also requires training programs to teach students about recognizing suicide risk, active listening skills, and how to connect peers with supportive adults.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale and use of paraquat dichloride, a pesticide, in Minnesota. Starting January 1, 2027, no one can sell or distribute this pesticide, and by January 1, 2028, its use is also banned. The state's agriculture commissioner will collect and dispose of any prohibited stockpiles and must submit a report by January 1, 2028, detailing past usage and supply chain status to legislative committees. These measures directly affect farmers, pesticide distributors, and state agricultural regulators. The legislation aims to remove paraquat dichloride from the market through a phased timeline while ensuring proper disposal and oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4,700,000 from the state's general fund to support senior nutrition programs in Minnesota for fiscal year 2027. The funds are designated for the commissioner of human services to administer nutrition services for older adults as outlined in state law. This is a one-time appropriation intended to provide financial resources for these programs without establishing ongoing funding commitments. The legislation directly affects the state's human services department and the senior nutrition programs it oversees.