Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $400,000 from the general fund for a one-time grant to the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The funds will renovate, construct, furnish, and equip OLM's Brooklyn Park community center to provide culturally appropriate programs and services for Liberian community members in the northwest suburbs. The appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, as specified in Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642. This directly supports OLM's physical space for serving its community through existing programming needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4.5 million from state bonds to fund Brooklyn Park's water infrastructure improvements. It directly affects the city of Brooklyn Park and its biotech innovation district by financing the predesign, construction, and equipment for two new water mains crossing under U.S. Highway 169 and Trunk Highway 610, plus connecting infrastructure. The key mechanism is authorizing the state to sell bonds to provide these funds, with the money specifically allocated for these water system upgrades. The bill does not create new regulations or alter existing laws, focusing solely on funding a defined infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Housing Finance Agency to collect and report data on contractors receiving agency financing, specifically adding two new categories: veteran-owned small businesses (as defined in Minnesota law) and LGBTQ-owned businesses certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The commissioner must submit an annual report by February 1 of even-numbered years to housing finance committees, detailing the total number and dollar amount of contracts for each business category. The report focuses solely on tracking participation and spending data, not on altering financing rules or eligibility. This affects the Housing Finance Agency in its data collection duties and the contractors who receive agency financing.

Maddy summarySF 1253 prohibits common interest communities (such as homeowner associations, condominiums, and cooperatives) from charging fees for estoppel letters or certificates. These documents verify a property owner’s compliance with association rules and are often required during real estate transactions. The bill amends Minnesota law to explicitly state that associations cannot charge for preparing or delivering these documents, making any such fee void. It directly affects property owners and sellers who rely on these certificates for property transfers. The policy change is a clear, direct prohibition on a specific fee, with no additional mechanisms or exceptions outlined.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies a $26 million appropriation to fund Hennepin County's new anaerobic digestion recycling facility in Brooklyn Park. It directs funds for predesign, construction, and equipment of the facility, which requires demolishing the existing Hennepin County Sheriff's facility on the site. The bill also mandates that Hennepin County must submit a plan to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center before the funds become available. The change affects Hennepin County directly as the recipient of the grant and impacts local waste management operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the workforce development fund for a one-time grant to the city of Brooklyn Park. The funds will expand workforce development programs serving underrepresented populations, including existing initiatives like Brooklynk, Career Pathways, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Community Partnership. The grant is available until June 30, 2028, and is specifically intended to support programming in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. It directly affects the city of Brooklyn Park and underrepresented communities accessing these workforce services.

Maddy summarySF 1145 appropriates $50 million from the state general fund to create the GroundBreak Capital Access and Innovation Fund, administered by the Minneapolis Foundation. It provides three key programs: forgivable business loans (up to $50,000) for eligible startups lacking traditional bank access, equity enhancements (up to $250,000) for commercial real estate projects under $10 million, and forgivable down payment assistance (up to $25,000) for homebuyers in the seven-county metro area meeting income limits. Eligible recipients include small businesses, developers, and homebuyers who meet specific criteria, such as business location, financial need, and completion of technical assistance. The fund aims to expand access to capital for entrepreneurship, commercial development, and homeownership through forgivable loans forgiven after 3-5 years under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $9.5 million from state bond funds to build a Northwest Metro Regional Athletic Facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The funds will finance an addition to the city's community activity center, including a multicourt gymnasium, for the city to construct and equip. The state will issue bonds up to $9.5 million under Minnesota bonding laws to cover the cost, with the grant administered through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The facility will directly serve Brooklyn Park residents and regional athletic programs using the new space.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that Minnesota's Commissioner of Health must conduct maternal death studies, changing the requirement from optional ("may") to mandatory ("must"). It directly affects the Minnesota Department of Health, requiring them to use these studies to improve medical, health, and welfare systems. The key provision is the explicit mandate for these studies to help reduce preventable maternal deaths in the state. The bill does not create new programs but ensures existing requirements are clear and actionable.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts how Minnesota school districts calculate local revenue they can raise through optional levies. It establishes a two-tier system: a first tier capped at $300 per adjusted pupil unit, and a second tier based on a formula tied to district property values per student. For fiscal years 2028 and later, the total revenue allowance will automatically adjust using a specific ratio based on statewide funding formulas. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting all Minnesota public school districts that use this revenue mechanism.