Sen. Heather Gustafson

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a working group within Minnesota's public higher education system to address enrollment fraud. It directly affects Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by requiring the Board of Trustees to establish this group, which must develop policies to prevent fraudulent online course enrollments aimed at accessing financial aid, campus systems, and student services. The working group must include specific student and faculty representatives from organizations like the Minnesota State University Student Association and college faculty groups. The group must submit a report to legislative committees by January 15, 2026, detailing its recommendations. The bill focuses on creating a collaborative process to identify and prevent fraud, without specifying new penalties or immediate policy changes.

Maddy summarySF 3034 appropriates $1.382 million annually for community service grants and $142,000 annually for equipment grants to Minnesota's public educational radio stations. These funds support community programming, emergency information dissemination (including in foreign languages), cybersecurity upgrades, and broadcast technology improvements. The bill requires grantees to be members of the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations and mandates that unencumbered funds carry over to the next fiscal year. It directly affects public radio stations across Minnesota, particularly those serving local communities and emergency communication needs.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1670 modifies teacher shortage reporting requirements in Minnesota. It updates the definition of "shortage area" to include regions where Indigenous and people of color teachers don't match student diversity, and requires the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to submit annual reports starting November 2025. These reports must include specific data on teacher supply and demand, such as retirement patterns, licensure, diversity gaps, and detailed field-specific shortages (e.g., special education, STEM, ESL). School districts must also provide data on unfilled teaching assignments and hires by license tier. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with the first detailed field report due February 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Minnesota's "Office of Administrative Hearings" to "Court of Administrative Hearings" and adds a new procedural step allowing state agencies to request a case be sent back ("remanded") for reconsideration. Specifically, it creates a 45-day window after a hearing for agencies to formally ask for a remand, with the option for the chief judge to accept late requests if "good cause" is shown. The bill primarily changes administrative procedures for handling contested cases before state agencies, not the substantive outcomes of those cases. It affects how administrative law judges and state agencies process cases, but does not alter the rights of individuals or businesses involved in those cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to grant to Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat, a nonprofit organization. The funds will be used to predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip a new accessible shooting range and retreat facility specifically for disabled veterans and handicapped individuals. The appropriation is one-time and available until the project is completed or abandoned. It directly affects the nonprofit organization and its target beneficiaries through dedicated capital funding for accessibility-focused infrastructure.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1428 expands eligibility for the state's beginning farmer tax credits by removing restrictions related to family relationships with landowners. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 41B.0391 to revise the definition of "beginning farmer," eliminating provisions that previously barred individuals from qualifying if they or their spouse were family members of the owner of agricultural assets they sought to rent or purchase. This change directly affects new or early-career farmers in Minnesota who were previously disqualified due to familial ties with landowners, allowing more individuals to access the tax credits. The policy change focuses on broadening participation in the program without altering other eligibility requirements like net worth limits or farming experience standards.

Maddy summarySF 2811 establishes a free test and professional licensure preparation program for public college students and dislocated workers in Minnesota. The program provides free access to exam prep services for tests like the MCAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, nursing, teaching, real estate, and securities exams. The commissioner must contract with a vendor to deliver these services, prioritize participants receiving state grants if funds are limited, and submit annual reports on program effectiveness and participation. The bill appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $5 million for fiscal year 2027 to fund this initiative.

Maddy summarySF 2722 requires Minnesota’s Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to establish an electronic record-keeping system for child care assistance program enrollment and implement reporting requirements. The bill directly affects child care providers receiving state assistance, families using the program, and the commissioner’s office. Key provisions include mandating electronic tracking of enrollment data, requiring regular reports, and appropriating funds to support these new systems. These changes aim to improve program oversight and accountability under Minnesota’s child care assistance framework. The bill amends specific sections of Minnesota Statutes (13.461, 142A.03, and 142E.17) to formalize these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million grant program to help small businesses in Blaine affected by Trunk Highway 65 construction. It provides financial support to businesses employing up to 40 people that experience substantial access issues (like impaired road access, parking, or visibility) for at least one month during the project. Grants cover payroll, operating, or facility costs but cannot fund bonuses, new equipment, or construction. The Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development will prioritize awards based on revenue decline, construction duration, proximity, traffic disruption, and pedestrian access. Annual reports detailing all grants must be submitted starting January 2027.

Maddy summarySF 1559 appropriates specific funding for Minnesota's farm-to-school and early care programs in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It provides money for schools and child care providers participating in federal food programs (like the National School Lunch Program) to purchase local agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. The bill also allocates $150,000 annually for a statewide coordinator to support farmers and institutions, and allows matching state funds to federal cooperative agreements for purchasing Minnesota-grown food. This directly affects schools, early childhood providers, and local farmers participating in eligible food programs.