Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill creates a relief program to help small businesses that suffered significant financial losses between July 2025 and February 2026 due to federal enforcement actions. The program provides up to $100 million in grants to operators of indoor retail or food market spaces that host at least 25 small tenant businesses with a cultural focus. Eligible businesses must be Minnesota-based, have fewer than 50 employees, and show at least a 20 percent decline in revenue or sales during the specified period. Grant funds can be used for payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, security upgrades, and working capital, with at least 50 percent of operator grants required to be passed directly to tenants as rent forgiveness. The bill requires grants to be distributed through a lottery system by late 2026 and mandates a report by December 2026 detailing how the funds were used and their economic impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Minnesota Foraging Act, authorizes individuals to harvest edible plants like mushrooms, berries, and nuts on state-owned lands for personal, household, or cultural use without profit. It creates a legal framework that recognizes foraging as a legitimate recreational and cultural activity while giving the commissioner of natural resources authority to establish rules about where and how much can be harvested. The commissioner may designate certain plants as prohibited, restrict foraging in specific areas, or require permits with quantity limits when necessary to protect natural resources, human health, or federal funding requirements. The bill also mandates that any permitting process be clear, accessible, and available electronically, and it requires the commissioner to report on foraging activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates the Brooklyn Park City Council as the Economic Development Authority for the city. It updates state law to clarify that the council is responsible for overseeing the biotech innovation district and implementing the city's development plan. The legislation also provides a specific definition for "public infrastructure projects," which includes acquiring land, repairing buildings, and building roads, parking, or community facilities using public funds. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill's final passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1 million in state funding to the City of Brooklyn Park for workforce development initiatives. The money will be distributed through the commissioner of employment and economic development to support the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center. Funds are designated for expanding programs like Brooklynk and Career Pathways, which primarily serve underrepresented populations in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2027 that remains available for use until June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eviction procedures for residents of manufactured home parks in Minnesota by extending the time a writ of recovery is stayed from seven to 90 days, allowing residents more time to arrange removal or an in-park sale. It requires park owners to include specific notices informing residents of their right to receive surplus funds from home sales after debts are paid and mandates that owners return any remaining money within 30 days if the resident provides contact information. The legislation also establishes a clear order for applying sale proceeds, prioritizing outstanding rent and utility charges before returning any surplus to the former resident. These changes directly affect park owners and residents by altering the timeline and financial protections during eviction and subsequent home sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota landlords to have a valid "just cause" reason to terminate a tenancy or refuse lease renewal, directly affecting landlords and tenants in residential rental properties. It specifies 10 acceptable grounds for termination, such as nonpayment of rent (after a notice period), repeated late payments, material lease breaches, or the landlord needing the unit for personal occupancy. Landlords must provide written notice explaining the reason and give tenants at least one full rental period's notice (or 180 days for property withdrawals), with additional relocation fees required for certain cases like building demolition. The law aims to prevent arbitrary evictions while preserving landlords' rights to terminate under defined circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts Minnesota state and local governments from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement activities, such as detaining individuals for deportation. It defines prohibited actions and clarifies that state resources should not be used for federal immigration purposes while still allowing cooperation on criminal matters. The legislation also requires hospitals to create policies for interactions with law enforcement and prohibits denying education based on immigration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 from the state's general fund to conduct a one-time study on how increased immigration enforcement affects Minnesota's economy. The analysis, which must be completed by February 1, 2027, will examine the impact on the workforce, small businesses, and key industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and construction. The study may hire a neutral third party to gather data from various sources and will look at issues like labor shortages, business operations, and tax revenue. The final report will be sent to state legislative leaders responsible for workforce and economic development policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 from the workforce development fund to the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota to create a training program for residents in Minnesota. The program will focus on health care and industrial trades, prioritizing Black, Indigenous, people of color, and Liberian residents while working with community colleges and employers to provide sector-specific training. Funds can cover tuition, exam fees, and supportive services like transportation and child care, with a goal of helping participants earn credentials and secure jobs within six months. The appropriation is set for fiscal year 2027, with a base amount of $250,000 expected to continue in fiscal year 2028 before ending in fiscal year 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public registry in Minnesota for repeat domestic violence offenders, requiring courts and correction officials to collect and submit offender information to the Department of Public Safety. The registry will include personal details such as names, addresses, photographs, and conviction records, with information published on a searchable public website and made available to law enforcement. Offenders must register for varying periods depending on their prior conviction history, ranging from five years for one prior offense to 20 years for four or more prior offenses, and failure to comply with registration requirements is a misdemeanor offense.