Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from the arts and cultural heritage fund to create competitive grants for developing cultural studies materials. It directly supports schools and communities that lack adequate resources for underrepresented groups, including Hmong, Karen, Somali, Oromo, and oral-based cultures without formal writing systems. Recipients must collaborate with school districts planning to use the materials. The funding targets fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for creating high-quality academic materials to address current gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $8.4 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide grants to school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and school bus service companies. The funds are specifically for purchasing and installing camera systems that capture vehicles passing stopped school buses with flashing lights. The commissioner of public safety must distribute these grants following existing requirements from 2021 legislation, and the one-time appropriation expires June 30, 2027. The policy directly affects school transportation safety by funding technology to enforce stop-signal laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state grant program to help cities with high property tax burdens cover half the cost of demolishing unsafe, vacant properties. It specifically targets "tax-stressed cities" (those with a net tax capacity rate over 125%) and requires properties to be vacant for at least one year, pose a public safety risk, and not be historic. The state will appropriate $2.25 million annually for two years to fund 50% of eligible demolition costs, with cities responsible for the remaining 50% from non-state funds. Applicants must prove financial need and demonstrate the safety threat posed by the vacant structures. The program requires annual reports to the legislature on fund usage.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $300,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $300,000 for fiscal year 2027. The funds are allocated to Hmong Zej Zog, an organization focused on preserving Hmong Minnesotans' cultural heritage. The bill directly supports efforts to maintain Hmong history, language, and cultural traditions in Minnesota. It creates a concrete funding mechanism for these specific preservation activities through state budget appropriations. The legislation does not establish new programs but provides dedicated financial support for existing cultural preservation work.

Maddy summarySF 1852 expands Minnesota's dependent care credit to make it more accessible for families. It directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with qualifying dependent care expenses, particularly parents of young children. Key provisions include establishing a new "Great Start child care credit" for infants under one year, allowing deemed expenses for care provided in licensed family day care homes operated by parents, and simplifying documentation requirements. The bill adjusts credit calculations to exclude certain support programs from dependency determinations and clarifies income thresholds for eligibility. These changes aim to increase the credit amount available for eligible families with childcare costs.

Maddy summarySF 1764 appropriates funds from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for St. Paul to plan and host cultural exchange events. The bill specifically supports events celebrating relationships between St. Paul and its sister cities in Southeast Asia, focusing on diverse Minnesota communities. This funding, allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directly supports the city of St. Paul in facilitating these international cultural exchanges.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for businesses to apply for and use relocation grants under Minnesota's 2024 economic development program. It requires the commissioner of employment and economic development to reissue the grant request for proposals and make best efforts to provide outreach and technical assistance to eligible businesses. The existing grant funds, originally available until June 30, 2025, will now remain available until June 30, 2026. This directly affects businesses seeking relocation or expansion support through this specific state grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota Medicaid to cover home birth services for low-risk pregnancies under specific conditions. It directly affects pregnant people choosing home births and eligible providers (certified midwives, nurse-midwives, physicians, or physician assistants). To qualify, recipients must be deemed low-risk with documented prenatal care, have a care plan including consent forms and hospital transfer options, and receive services from an approved provider. Coverage includes prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum care, with providers paid at 100% of physician rates and facility services at 70% of hospital rates for uncomplicated deliveries.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 to fund a community center for Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together in Ramsey County. The grant will cover acquiring property, predesigning, constructing, and equipping the center to host educational and leadership programs. These programs specifically aim to strengthen cultural knowledge and identity, promote social change, and improve outcomes for Hmong women and girls. The funding is a one-time allocation available until project completion, as specified in Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.

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 support the Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota. The funds will be administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center Board of Directors to cover museum programs, library services, and educational classes. These activities specifically aim to teach the public about the historical, cultural, and folk arts heritage of Hmong Minnesotans. The bill directly affects the Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota by providing dedicated funding for its core programming and outreach.