Maddy summaryThis bill allows city attorneys in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties to prosecute certain felony and gross misdemeanor offenses when the county attorney declines to do so. It applies specifically when the crime occurred within a city's boundaries, the county attorney refused to prosecute, and the violation was discovered during a traffic stop for an equipment violation. The bill also authorizes these city attorneys to issue administrative subpoenas in such cases to gather evidence. It directly affects city attorneys in those two counties and the prosecution of specific offenses like certain violent crimes, child abuse violations, and environmental law breaches. The law amends existing statutes to clarify this authority and update subpoena procedures for relevant investigations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySF 4031 expands access to school safety funding by adding charter schools, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools to the list of entities eligible to receive "safe schools revenue." It establishes a new safe schools allowance of $44 per adjusted pupil unit for fiscal year 2026 and later, which will determine aid amounts for all eligible schools (replacing previous formulas for traditional districts). The bill also updates rules for cooperative school units (replacing "intermediate school districts") to ensure they can access funds for safety programs. All safe schools revenue must be used for specific safety measures, including security, drug prevention, and mental health support in schools.
Maddy summarySF 4019 increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer in Minnesota. It raises the base offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison or a $4,000 fine. The bill also increases penalties for impersonation committed while committing other crimes (like accessing restricted buildings or using fake police vehicle markings) to up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. Repeat offenders within five years face up to ten years in prison or a $20,000 fine. The law directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers to deceive others or commit additional offenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges to impose longer prison sentences for violent offenders who used a firearm in their current crime and had two or more prior violent crimes involving firearms. It mandates consecutive sentencing for these offenders and requires them to serve their full prison term without early release options like parole or work release. The law applies to individuals convicted of a violent felony with two prior violent felony convictions where a firearm was used. These provisions apply to crimes committed after the bill's effective date.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3489) shortens the time limit for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Minnesota from four years to two years after the injury occurs. It also caps noneconomic damages (for pain, suffering, and inconvenience) at $500,000 per case and restricts judgments against healthcare providers' personal income or assets unless the provider acted willfully/maliciously or lacked $1 million in insurance coverage. The changes apply to lawsuits filed on or after August 1, 2025, directly affecting patients seeking compensation and healthcare providers facing liability. Key provisions include the reduced filing deadline, damage limits, and asset protection rules for providers.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the membership structure of Minnesota's Sentencing Guidelines Commission. It adds the commissioner of corrections as a nonvoting member and updates appointment rules for several positions, requiring the governor to consider candidate slates from professional associations (like the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association) when appointing members. The commission now includes voting members representing judges, public defenders, prosecutors, law enforcement (police chiefs and sheriffs), probation officers, and public members with lived experience in the justice system. These changes affect how the commission, which sets sentencing standards for Minnesota courts, is composed and governed. The bill does not alter sentencing policies but changes who serves on the commission.
Maddy summarySF 3829 appropriates $2.95 million from state bonds to fund an expansion of Medina's water treatment plant. The grant specifically addresses high manganese levels in the city's drinking water supply by covering design, construction, and equipment costs for the plant upgrade. The city of Medina is the direct recipient, and the funding will be provided through the sale of state bonds authorized under Minnesota law.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $20 million in state bonds to fund safety and mobility improvements on U.S. Highway 12 in the City of Independence, specifically between County Line Road and County Road 90 in Hennepin County. It appropriates $4 million from general obligation bonds and $16 million from trunk highway bonds to cover predesign, design, and construction costs for the project. The funds directly support the city's infrastructure work to address road safety concerns along this corridor. The bond proceeds will be used exclusively for the specified highway segment, with bond sales governed by Minnesota statutes.
Maddy summarySF 3826 modifies how Minnesota's Peace Officer Standards and Training Board members are selected. It requires the governor to appoint certain members based on candidate slates submitted by specific associations, such as the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association for county sheriff representatives and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association for municipal police chiefs. The bill also adds new appointment requirements for two members from the Minnesota State Patrol Association and one city official from small towns outside the metro area. These changes, effective January 1, 2027, aim to ensure appointments reflect input from relevant law enforcement groups.
Maddy summarySF 3828 modifies the process for the Maple Plain Fire Department to leave Minnesota's statewide volunteer firefighter retirement plan. It requires the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) to invest the department's assets in low-risk investments after the bill's effective date and establishes a two-stage allocation of any surplus assets (assets exceeding liabilities) to departing firefighters. The first stage allocates surplus to firefighters under age 50 based on years of service and accrued benefits, while the second stage distributes remaining surplus proportionally among all departing firefighters. This bill directly affects Maple Plain Fire Department volunteer firefighters who are transitioning out of the statewide retirement plan.