Sen. Heather Gustafson

Maddy summarySF 3825 amends Minnesota law to require gun owners to store loaded firearms in locations where children *and* individuals prohibited from owning firearms (such as those with certain criminal records under section 624.713) cannot access them. The bill expands existing storage rules - previously focused only on children - to explicitly include prohibited persons, making it a gross misdemeanor to negligently leave a loaded firearm accessible to either group without proper security. Key provisions clarify that "loaded" includes firearms with ammunition in the chamber or magazine, and define the penalty for failure to secure firearms against access. This directly affects gun owners in households with children or individuals legally barred from firearm possession. The bill is currently in committee review after introduction on February 23, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 5010 is a Minnesota bill designed to increase property tax refunds for homeowners by adjusting the income thresholds and payment percentages used to calculate the state homestead credit. The legislation directly affects homeowners by raising the income limits for various tax brackets and reducing the portion of property taxes they must pay out of pocket. Specifically, the bill updates the income ranges and co-pay percentages in the relevant state statutes, allowing more households to qualify for higher refund amounts. This change means that families with incomes up to $38,219 will see an increase in their property tax refunds compared to the previous year's limits.

Maddy summarySF 3959 amends Minnesota's Safe at Home program to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It directly affects eligible participants by requiring clearer application details (including court-ordered guardianship documentation for minors/incapacitated persons) and mandating that all entities accept the program's designated address as the participant's official address - without demanding their real location for services. Key provisions include adding "emancipated minor" to eligibility definitions, clarifying mail delivery rules, and establishing criminal penalties for violating address confidentiality. The bill ensures participants can safely access services like mail and voting without risking exposure to abusers.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 281 enhances penalties for coercion crimes that cause great bodily harm or death. It amends Minnesota Statutes §609.27 to classify such offenses as felonies punishable by up to 15 years in prison or a $30,000 fine, instead of standard misdemeanor penalties. The bill also requires the commissioner of public safety and education to conduct a public awareness campaign about this law, starting by September 15, 2025, and repeating every two years. This directly affects individuals convicted of coercion causing severe harm or death, and educates the public - especially students - about the legal consequences. The changes take effect August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new 100% tax on money obtained through fraud by individuals or organizations, regardless of any existing fines or restitution payments. The tax applies not only to those convicted by a court but also to those identified by the state revenue commissioner as having committed fraud, as well as to anyone paid for helping them commit the act. The revenue collected from this tax must be deposited into a special account dedicated solely to providing relief for state income and property taxes. The law takes effect retroactively for fraud cases determined after December 31, 2019, and gives the commissioner authority to investigate suspected fraud and set enforcement rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires food manufacturers and brand owners in Minnesota to test packaged food products for ortho-phthalates and report the results to the commissioner of agriculture. The law defines specific terms such as "brand owner," "food manufacturer," and "packaged food product," while excluding items like meat, cheese, bakery goods, and produce packaged at retail locations. Companies must submit a written notice containing product descriptions, barcode numbers, testing dates, and specific chemical findings no later than 30 days before selling the product in the state. These reporting requirements are set to take effect on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary property tax task force in Minnesota to study ways to reduce property taxes on homestead properties, which are residential homes and surrounding land. The task force will investigate current tax relief measures, compare how different property tax classifications affect homeowners, and analyze tax burden trends from 2015 through 2025. The group consists of state legislators, the commissioner of revenue, and representatives from county, city, and township associations who will meet publicly and submit recommendations by February 2027. The task force operates without compensation for members and will dissolve once it submits its final report to the legislature.

Maddy summarySF 3956 allows Minnesota's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to direct available agency resources toward specific veterans' initiatives, including addressing food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention. The bill directly affects veterans by enabling targeted support for these critical issues through state agency funding. Key provisions require the commissioner to annually report by October 15 to the governor and relevant legislative committees, detailing resources used and the specific initiatives supported in the previous year. This creates a formal mechanism for prioritizing veterans' needs while ensuring transparency in how state resources are allocated.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to provide a one-time grant to The Cookie Cart, a nonprofit bakery in Minnesota. The funding is intended to support an earn and learn program for youth aged 14 to 18, combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training in life, leadership, and employment skills. The money will be managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development and is designated for fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of domestic abuse in Minnesota to include behaviors like stalking, harassment, and controlling actions, while also clarifying who qualifies as a family or household member. It requires law enforcement to report specific domestic abuse case data annually and authorizes arrests for suspected nonfelony domestic abuse, with arrested individuals held in custody until their first court appearance. The legislation also establishes a task force to improve responses to domestic violence crimes and mandates annual reports on officer-involved death investigations related to domestic abuse. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and individuals involved in domestic abuse situations across the state.