Sen. Heather Gustafson

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's rules for optometrists prescribing and administering prescription medications. It removes previous restrictions on optometrists prescribing oral antivirals (limited to 10 days), oral steroids (14 days without physician consultation), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (7 days). The changes specifically allow optometrists to prescribe these medications within the new time limits, while maintaining existing restrictions on intravenous/intramuscular drug administration, invasive surgery, and Schedule II/III oral drugs. These provisions directly affect optometrists practicing in Minnesota, expanding their limited prescribing authority for specific eye-related treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases minimum fines for drivers operating vehicles without insurance. For a first offense, fines rise from $200-$300 to $550 if it occurs within 10 years of a prior violation, and to $850 for two or more prior violations within that timeframe. It applies to both drivers and vehicle owners who fail to provide proof of insurance when required by law. The changes take effect August 1, 2025, and aim to strengthen enforcement of insurance requirements for all vehicle operators.

Maddy summarySF 1055 clarifies that domestic abuse advocates are explicitly included under Minnesota's existing confidentiality protections for licensed social workers. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 595.02, subdivision 1(g), to prohibit domestic abuse advocates from disclosing confidential communications with clients without consent - just as licensed social workers are already protected. This directly affects domestic violence victims who rely on advocates for support and safety planning, ensuring their conversations remain private. The key mechanism is extending the same legal privilege currently applied to social workers to domestic abuse advocates, preventing forced disclosure in court or investigations. This is a clarification of existing law, not a new exception.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, a nonprofit organization. The funds are specifically for renovating, constructing, furnishing, and equipping the White Bear Armory in White Bear Lake to create a history museum. The grant is available until the project is completed or abandoned, with no ongoing funding implications beyond this single project.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates unspecified funds for Minnesota's existing Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, which provides financial support to farmers adopting soil health practices. It allocates money for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, limiting grants to $50,000 per recipient annually and allowing up to 6.5% of the total appropriation for program administration. Unspent funds from 2026 automatically carry over to 2027, and contracts signed by June 30, 2027, remain valid until June 30, 2029. The program directly benefits agricultural producers who implement soil health practices, with funding administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture under existing law (M.S. §17.134).

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill SF 977 amends Minnesota law to eliminate replacement fees for motor vehicles displaying Purple Heart medal special license plates. The bill specifically removes a $5 fee required when replacing these plates due to loss, theft, or damage, extending an existing exemption currently limited to certain scenarios. This change directly affects Minnesota veterans who hold Purple Heart medal special plates, ensuring they pay no fee when replacing their plates. The provision modifies sections 168.12 and 168.123 of Minnesota Statutes to align with the existing fee exemption for Purple Heart plates under section 168.1245.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from the general fund for grants to Minnesota retail gas stations that sell fuel for vehicles manufactured after 2000. The grants help upgrade equipment to dispense E25 biofuel, covering up to 65% of costs (max $200,000 per station), to meet state biofuel goals. Eligible stations must have no more than ten locations in Minnesota and replace non-certified equipment. The commissioner must report annually on funded projects, including geographic distribution, metrics on leveraged funding, and support for minority- or women-owned businesses. The program directly supports fuel retailers expanding biofuel access while tracking program impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax code to allow certain debt discharges to be subtracted from taxable income for property tax refund and renter's tax credit purposes. It adds a new subtraction provision (Section 290.0132, Subd. 36) for debt discharges awarded under section 332.74, subdivision 3 (related to "coerced debt"). Taxpayers receiving these specific debt discharges will no longer count that amount as income when calculating eligibility for property tax refunds or the renter's income tax credit. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new public safety aid program for Minnesota counties, cities, and tribal governments, appropriating $300 million in fiscal year 2026. Aid amounts are calculated based on population using three allowances: county basic (70% of funds), county additional (30% of funds), and local unit allowance (100% for cities/towns). Funds must be used for public safety services like community violence prevention, mental health crisis response, first responder equipment, and training - but cannot cover armored vehicles, police station construction, or misconduct costs. The commissioner will certify payments by September 2025, with full disbursement by December 2025 for 2025 aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1 million in bonds to fund a specific trail extension. It appropriates $1 million from bond proceeds to the Metropolitan Council for a grant to Washington County, specifically for acquiring land, designing, and building the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail extension within Hugo, Minnesota. The funds will cover the costs of extending this existing regional trail project. The bill directly affects Washington County (Hugo) and the Metropolitan Council, which administers the grant.