Sen. Heather Gustafson

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the Transportation Advisory Board, a body that previously provided input on transportation policy to the Metropolitan Council. It modifies the Metropolitan Council's governance by amending appointment procedures for its 44 members, including changes to how county commissioners and local representatives are selected. The bill also removes provisions related to the Transportation Advisory Board from state law (repealing Laws 1994, chapter 628, article 1, section 8). These changes directly affect the Metropolitan Council's structure and transportation stakeholders who previously engaged with the Advisory Board.

Maddy summarySF 2422 amends Minnesota's Peace Officers Discipline Procedures Act to explicitly include local correctional officers under the law's disciplinary framework. The bill defines "correctional officer" as someone working in a security capacity at a local correctional or detention facility, and clarifies that "officer" includes these staff members. This change ensures local correctional facilities and their employees are covered by the same disciplinary procedures that apply to other peace officers. The bill directly affects local jails and detention centers that employ correctional staff, bringing their disciplinary processes under the standardized state framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA), a new body with seven commissioners appointed by the county board. It expands the existing Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to have all the powers of the RCEDA, including economic development and housing/redevelopment authority under Minnesota law. The bill allows Ramsey County to exercise city-level powers for these purposes within its entire territory, treating the county board as a city council and the county chair as a mayor for these functions. The changes take effect after Ramsey County complies with specific administrative procedures under state law.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota Senate resolution (SF 2335) requests Congress to propose a constitutional amendment reversing the Supreme Court's *Citizens United v. FEC* decision, which treated corporate spending in elections as protected speech. It asks Congress to clarify that constitutional rights apply only to natural persons (not corporations or other artificial entities) and to allow government to regulate campaign spending to ensure equal political access for all citizens. The resolution specifically proposes constitutional language requiring public disclosure of all campaign contributions and expenditures and permitting restrictions on spending to prevent wealth-based influence in elections. As a non-binding request, it directly addresses Congress and aims to reshape federal campaign finance rules without creating new state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's human services commissioner to regularly update lawmakers and seek federal approval for children's mental health projects, while also identifying funding gaps in residential facilities for youth. It establishes crisis stabilization facilities for immediate mental health care, creates a legislative task force to study residential facility challenges, and mandates new licensing for facilities serving youth with sexual behavior concerns. The bill also requires a financial study on residential facilities and directs the commissioner to provide reports on service coordination and screening protocols for children in protective care or juvenile justice systems. These changes directly affect county human services agencies, residential facilities, mental health providers, and children receiving these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new funding mechanism called "general education disparity aid" to address funding gaps between Minnesota school districts. It calculates aid for districts with per-pupil funding below the 20th percentile of all districts, based on the difference between their actual funding and the 20th percentile benchmark. The aid amount equals 0.37 times this funding gap multiplied by the district's student enrollment (adjusted pupil units), starting in fiscal year 2026. The bill appropriates state funds for this program beginning in 2026, directly affecting school districts with lower per-pupil revenue compared to most others.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a budget exception for Minnesotans enrolled in home and community-based services waivers who have both a developmental disability and type 1 diabetes. It allows these individuals to receive additional funding for home care nursing services - specifically nine hours per day at the current registered nurse rate under their waiver program. The exception requires both diagnoses to be documented in the person's assessment and takes effect on January 1, 2026, or after federal approval. This change directly affects eligible waiver participants by expanding access to nursing support without altering existing program requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota school districts and charter schools that qualify for but do not participate in the federal free school meals program to provide annual written notice to parents and students. The notice must state the school doesn't participate in the program, estimate the typical meal cost students would pay (instead of receiving free meals), and clarify that students would qualify for free breakfast and lunch if the school joined the program. Schools must deliver this notice within 15 days of the school year starting, in the same languages used for other school communications. The requirement applies to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Maddy summarySF 662 establishes a new civil cause of action for individuals who experience the nonconsensual removal of a condom during sexual activity. The bill allows victims to sue for damages, including up to $10,000 in civil penalties, attorney fees, and other remedies, if they did not consent to the condom's removal. It defines "sexual battery" in this context as contact involving a condom-removed sexual organ and an intimate part without verbal consent. The law applies to cases occurring on or after August 1, 2025, and requires courts to allow confidential filings to protect plaintiff privacy. This directly affects individuals who experience nonconsensual condom removal during sexual activity by providing a specific legal remedy.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) benefits and funding. It allows teachers with 30 years of service to retire at age 60 with a full annuity (previously required age 62), reduces early retirement penalties, and increases postretirement adjustments. It also raises employer contribution rates: for most districts, the rate increases to 9.5% for coordinated members and 13.5% for basic members starting July 1, 2025. School districts receive adjusted pension revenue funding based on new rates (e.g., 3.25% for St. Paul districts starting 2026), effective for fiscal years 2026 and later. The bill directly affects public school teachers and school districts participating in the TRA.