Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Metropolitan Council. The funds will be distributed as grants to agencies managing the Metropolitan Council's regional parks system to prevent, contain, control, and enforce measures against aquatic invasive species. These species include harmful plants and animals that threaten Minnesota's waterways and ecosystems. The appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, and directly affects regional park management agencies responsible for protecting local water bodies.

Maddy summarySF 1625 appropriates $7 million from the general fund to Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL) for a one-time grant. The funding will design, construct, furnish, and equip a new Latino Center for Community Engagement (LCCE), providing shared workspaces for COPAL and partner organizations. The center will also serve as a workforce development training hub to support local employment opportunities. This bill directly affects COPAL and its community partners by enabling a physical space for engagement and economic advancement.

Maddy summarySF 2070 appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and another $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES). The funding directs CLUES to expand art-making programs and cultural events celebrating Latino heritage in Minnesota. It specifically supports local Latino artists through professional development, networking, and opportunities to showcase their work in galleries and public presentations. This bill directly provides financial resources to CLUES for its existing mission of cultural programming and artist support.

Maddy summarySF 2046 appropriates $800,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota Humanities Center and Soul Touch Productions. The funds will support an art installation and related programming celebrating the life and legacy of Gordon Parks. This bill directly affects the Minnesota Humanities Center and Soul Touch Productions as the recipients of the appropriation. It does not change existing law but allocates specific funding for a commemorative arts project.

Maddy summarySF 928 modifies Minnesota's children's mental health grant program to expand funding for school-linked services. It allows grants to cover telehealth services (section 1.12), family support coordination (1.14-1.16), school staff training (1.19-1.21), and transportation for students outside school hours (1.17). The bill requires grantees to seek third-party reimbursement but prohibits billing public schools and mandates services regardless of a student's health coverage or ability to pay (2.3-2.6). It directly affects schools, community mental health providers, and students needing behavioral health support. The bill appropriates funds to implement these expanded services under existing statutes.

Maddy summarySF 1755 appropriates funds from the state general fund to the Twin Lake Association for water quality improvements at Upper Twin Lake in Hennepin County. The bill allocates money for a two-year project using nonchemical technologies, infrastructure, selective weed control, carp management, and training (funds available until June 2028), plus additional funds specifically for increased weed harvesting. It directly affects the Twin Lake Association as the grant recipient and benefits local residents and the lake ecosystem through targeted water quality efforts. The bill is purely a funding measure with no new regulations or policy changes.

Maddy summarySF 2047 appropriates $1.25 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.25 million for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support community cultural festivals across Minnesota. The Minnesota Humanities Center will distribute these funds as grants to community organizations, cities, and counties for event programming, staffing, outreach, transportation, facilities, and signage. The bill specifically requires priority funding for designated festivals including the Somali Museum Annual Celebration, Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Hmong Festival, and Rondo Days, and sets aside up to $200,000 for public safety reimbursements to sheriff departments. This legislation directly affects local cultural groups and communities hosting these events by providing dedicated state funding for their operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Minnesota charter schools receive local funding. It requires school districts to provide charter schools with a share of "local optional revenue" (like money from local property taxes) based on the charter school's student enrollment. The amount equals the district's total local optional revenue multiplied by the charter school's student count. Special provisions add extra funding for extended programs and special education charters. This directly affects all Minnesota charter schools operating within school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund two cultural events. The funds will be granted to the Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA) to plan and produce a Southeast Asian American film festival and a Hmong music festival. The direct recipient is AEDA, and the primary beneficiaries are Minnesota's Southeast Asian American and Hmong communities through these cultural programming opportunities. The key provision is a specific grant for festival planning and production, not ongoing operational funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to preserve the oral histories of Hmong veterans who served in the U.S.-sponsored Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War era. The funds will support Special Guerrilla Units Veterans and Families of USA, Inc. in collecting, documenting, archiving, and preserving these personal accounts. The bill also requires creating educational resources to teach the public and future generations about the history, legacy, and cultural heritage of Hmong communities in Minnesota. This directly affects Hmong veterans and Minnesota's Hmong population by ensuring their wartime experiences are preserved and shared.