Sen. Warren Limmer

Maddy summaryThis bill requires campaigns to disclose the names and addresses of contributors who give $200 or less to a candidate but live outside the district or area the candidate represents. Currently, such small donors living within the candidate's district are exempt from full disclosure. The amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.20, would extend this reporting requirement to all small donors outside the candidate's geographic area. This change applies specifically to legislative and statewide candidates' campaign finance reports. The policy directly affects candidate campaigns and their fundraising activities by increasing transparency about out-of-district small contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota permit to carry holders to notify the issuing sheriff within 30 days of legally changing their name. It amends existing law to specifically include name changes alongside address changes and lost permits as reporting requirements. Failure to report a name change is a petty misdemeanor punishable by a $25 fine for a first offense. Permit holders must pay a $10 fee to obtain a replacement permit card after submitting the required notification. The bill directly affects individuals holding Minnesota permit to carry licenses who legally change their name.

Maddy summarySF 1723 authorizes religious institutions in Minnesota to establish "sacred communities" - housing developments using small micro units - for chronically homeless, extremely low-income individuals, or designated volunteers. The bill requires these communities to provide utility access (via connection to main buildings or shared facilities meeting R-2 boarding house standards), maintain 1/3 to 40% volunteer occupancy, and submit annual compliance certifications to local governments. Municipalities may create simple administrative approval processes for these communities but cannot impose additional requirements beyond the bill’s specified standards. Religious institutions must also provide written safety plans covering sewage disposal, emergency access, security, and weather protocols. The bill ensures sacred communities are regulated under existing landlord-tenant laws (Chapter 504B) and cannot be denied approval solely for not meeting unrelated housing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota law enforcement's permitted uses of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). It adds 10 specific scenarios where police may deploy drones, including during emergencies involving life-threatening risks, high-risk public events, counter-terrorism operations based on credible intelligence, disaster response, crash reconstructions, and searches for missing persons. It also allows drone use for criminal investigations with reasonable suspicion, with occupant consent for private areas, and for government entity requests with written justification. The changes amend Minnesota Statutes section 626.19 to clarify these authorized uses without creating new surveillance powers. The bill directly affects all Minnesota law enforcement agencies operating under this statute.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1466 requires judges to impose longer sentences for individuals convicted of a violent felony who have two or more prior violent felony convictions. It mandates consecutive sentences for these offenders and prohibits early release options like parole, probation, or work release until the full sentence is served. The law applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and specifically targets repeat violent offenders under Minnesota Statutes § 609.1095. This policy change directly affects convicted violent offenders with prior violent felony convictions, altering sentencing outcomes by removing judicial discretion for early release.

Maddy summarySF 1555 amends Minnesota campaign finance rules to require full disclosure of all contributors for legislative or statewide candidates and ballot questions. The bill mandates that campaign reports list the name, address, employer/occupation, and contribution amounts for anyone giving over $200 (for candidates) or $500 (for ballot questions) in a year, including donations in kind valued at fair market price. Contributors must be listed alphabetically with all transactions from each source aggregated. This applies directly to campaign committees, political committees, and entities supporting candidates or ballot measures. The change increases transparency by replacing aggregate reporting with detailed, itemized contributor lists.

Maddy summarySF 1394 updates Minnesota's process for scheduling and administering the road skills test required for class D driver's licenses. It mandates that the state website display real-time appointment availability, including next available dates sorted by distance from the user's address, with appointments released three months in advance at set times (8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m.). The bill also authorizes approved third-party testing programs and certified testers to conduct the road test, requiring state approval, regular audits, and an appeals process for applicants. These changes directly affect class D license applicants, the Department of Public Safety, and new third-party testing organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $375,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to fund shelter services for racially diverse youth in specific Minnesota regions. The funds will support three $125,000 annual grants to 180 Degrees shelters in Rochester, St. Cloud, and central Minnesota west of the Twin Cities. These grants require shelters to establish programs providing community outreach, mobile case management, family reunification, aftercare, and follow-up services specifically targeting racial disparities in youth shelter use. The initiative directly affects at-risk racially diverse youth in rural areas served by these regional shelters, aiming to improve outcomes through targeted support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to obtain legislative approval before implementing certain changes to sentencing guidelines. Specifically, modifications that would alter the sentencing grid (including severity levels or criminal history scores), reduce sentences, or allow early inmate release must be submitted to the legislature by January 15th for approval, taking effect on August 1st unless lawmakers act otherwise. The bill also mandates an annual written report to criminal justice committees detailing all changes made or proposed. It directly affects the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and the legislative process for modifying sentencing policy.

Maddy summarySF 1280 prohibits local governments in Minnesota from adopting ordinances or policies that refuse to enforce traffic laws. It directly affects cities, towns, and local law enforcement agencies by banning any rules that restrict enforcement of traffic violations. The bill makes such policies void if enacted, requiring local authorities to enforce all traffic laws uniformly. This changes local policy by eliminating the ability to create "no enforcement" zones for traffic regulations.