Sen. Jim Abeler

Maddy summarySF 402 modifies how Minnesota calculates reimbursement rates for disability waiver programs by changing the wage formulas used to determine payments to service providers. It establishes specific percentage-based calculations using median wages for 17 different staff roles (like residential care workers, nurses, and counselors) instead of previous methods. These updated formulas, effective January 1, 2026, will directly affect disability service providers receiving state funding under waiver programs. The bill aims to align reimbursement rates more closely with current wage data for these specific positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects specific sales and use tax collections (from section 297A.94, paragraph m) to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. The funds are designated solely for deferred maintenance costs at the National Sports Center in Blaine, as determined annually by the Department of Administration. If no maintenance costs are identified each year, the funds revert to the general fund. It modifies existing tax allocation rules without creating new taxes or broad policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7.2 million for fiscal year 2025, and $2.9 million each for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to hire additional Minnesota State Patrol troopers. The funds are specifically for staff and equipment costs related to these new troopers, under the commissioner of public safety. The bill explicitly prohibits using these funds for permanent Capitol security troopers or nonsworn officers. It becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law regarding blackout special license plates. It requires applicants for these plates to contribute $30 annually to the driver and vehicle services operating account instead of an unspecified fund. The change directly affects vehicle owners who purchase blackout special license plates for passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. The key provision specifies that these $30 contributions must be deposited into the highway user tax distribution fund, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter plate eligibility or fees, only the destination of the annual contribution.

Maddy summarySF 484 amends Minnesota law to allow ranking minority members of standing legislative committees to request fiscal notes about proposed bills, expanding access previously limited to committee chairs. This directly affects minority committee members in both the House and Senate who now have equal standing to seek cost analysis for legislation. The bill updates Minnesota Statutes section 3.98 to require state departments to prepare fiscal notes upon request from either the committee chair or ranking minority member. It also specifies that completed notes must be distributed to the committee chair, ranking minority member, bill author, and budget officials. This change aims to improve transparency by giving minority committee members the same tools to evaluate fiscal impacts as majority leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to change driver's license suspension requirements for serious vehicle-related offenses. It requires automatic license suspension for drivers who violate specific criminal vehicular operation or homicide laws (such as driving under the influence causing injury or death), or who are formally charged with those offenses. The bill also creates a system where time served under a suspension counts toward any future license revocation period if the driver is later convicted. These changes apply to certifications made on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7.2 million for fiscal year 2025, $2.9 million for 2026, and $2.9 million for 2027 from the trunk highway fund to hire additional Minnesota State Patrol troopers. The funds cover staff salaries and equipment costs for these new troopers. It directly affects the Minnesota State Patrol by providing dedicated funding for expanding their personnel. This is a funding measure with no policy changes, solely supporting increased staffing levels.

Maddy summarySF 255 creates a property tax exemption for specific properties owned and operated by federally chartered veterans service organizations in Minnesota. The bill amends tax laws to exempt qualifying property under a new classification (section 272.02, subdivision 106), directly affecting these veterans organizations by removing property tax liability on their qualifying facilities. Key mechanisms include requiring the commissioner of veterans affairs to annually provide a list of eligible organizations to the commissioner of revenue by January 1, and the exemption taking effect for the 2025 tax assessment year. This policy change specifically modifies tax classification rules without altering existing rates or creating new tax obligations.

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 appropriates $150 million from the trunk highway fund for the Corridors of Commerce program in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly provides funding to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to support infrastructure projects designated as "corridors of commerce" under state law. The funds will be used for transportation improvements along specific commercial routes, as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 161.088. This is a funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely allocating existing highway funds for designated transportation corridors.