Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's medical cannabis program to allow registered designated caregivers to cultivate plants for up to eight patients instead of the previous limit of one. Under the new rules, a caregiver may grow up to 12 plants per patient, with no more than six allowed to be mature or flowering at any time, provided the plants are kept in a locked, enclosed space that is not visible from public areas. The legislation also updates the registration requirements, permitting caregivers to assist a maximum of eight patients simultaneously while clarifying that a patient who assigns cultivation rights to a caregiver cannot grow their own plants. These changes directly affect registered patients, their designated caregivers, and the state office responsible for overseeing the medical cannabis registry.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials and equipment used to build Minnesota's Blue Line Extension light rail line and its associated facilities. Under the new rules, contractors and developers purchasing these items will first pay the standard sales tax, which the state will later refund to the governmental entity responsible for the project. The exemption applies to purchases made after June 30, 2026, and includes materials for stations, park-and-ride lots, and maintenance centers. This measure adds the Blue Line Extension to a list of other public infrastructure and community projects that already qualify for this tax refund process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's school crisis management policy requirements for all public school districts and charter schools. It adds a specific requirement that crisis plans must address the unique needs of students with disabilities, including mobility restrictions, sensory needs, developmental or physical disabilities, mental health needs, and visual or auditory limitations. The policy must still include five lockdown drills, five fire drills, and one tornado drill, but now must incorporate inclusive planning for students with disabilities. This change directly affects how schools develop and implement their emergency response protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Yes in God's Back Yard (YIGBY) Housing Act, restricts local government regulations on affordable housing developments proposed by religious organizations in Minnesota. It defines "qualified development" as affordable housing built on land owned by a religious institution for at least one year and establishes a process where municipalities must temporarily suspend enforcement of zoning rules if a religious group claims they impose a substantial burden on religious exercise. Under the law, municipalities must review such claims within 30 days and adjust regulations if they fail to meet strict legal standards requiring a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means. The bill also allows religious institutions to sue for damages or other relief if their rights are violated, including reimbursement for legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines remediated cannabis products as those that have undergone a process to remove contaminants like mold, pesticides, or heavy metals during cultivation or processing. It requires licensed cannabis businesses in Minnesota to clearly label these products with a specific statement indicating they were made from remediated material to meet safety standards. The law also mandates that all advertising and marketing for these products include the same disclosure, with penalties including fines up to $5,000 per violation and potential license suspension for repeated offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota veterans benefits to include veterans of the Secret War in Laos, a group that includes both naturalized Hmong veterans and those who served with special guerrilla units or irregular forces in Laos between 1961 and 1975. It directs the commissioner of veterans affairs to establish an eligibility verification process and issue certificates of eligibility for these veterans to access existing state benefits. The legislation also requires the creation of a fee schedule for burial services and allows fee waivers for indigent eligible applicants. Changes take effect on July 2, 2025, for naturalized veterans and after verification for those who served in guerrilla units, with a driver's license designation option becoming available on November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 3843, titled the "Minnesota Civil Remedies Act," establishes direct civil liability for government employees who violate individuals' rights under color of law - whether on or off duty. The bill prohibits common legal defenses like qualified immunity and sovereign immunity, allowing victims to seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees for civil wrongs committed by government employees. It directly affects injured individuals (who gain new legal recourse) and government employees (who lose prior immunity protections), while preserving immunity for judges, prosecutors, and legislators acting in their official capacities. The law applies to government actions occurring on or after its effective date and does not replace existing federal claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new licensing requirements for drivers impaired by substances other than alcohol, such as drugs or cannabis, in Minnesota. It defines "substance-related violations" to include driving while under the influence of controlled substances, intoxicating substances, or various cannabis products, and sets specific license revocation periods based on whether the driver has prior impaired driving incidents. Drivers with no prior incidents face revocation of at least 90 days for failed tests, while those with prior incidents must complete ignition interlock device requirements or additional testing before their licenses can be reinstated. The legislation also authorizes rulemaking to implement these provisions and includes funding for related administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses that collect consumer data in Minnesota to title their privacy notices as "surveillance notices" when they sell personal data, use it for targeted advertising, or engage in profiling that affects consumers. The law mandates that these notices be clear, accessible, and available in all languages the business uses, with specific requirements for how consumers can opt out of data sales and profiling. It also updates existing privacy rules to ensure material changes to data practices are communicated to consumers with an opportunity to withdraw consent. The provision applies to controllers - entities that determine how personal data is processed - and does not require separate Minnesota-specific notices if general notices already meet all requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies location requirements for small assisted living facilities in Minnesota, specifically those licensed to hold six or fewer residents, and adjusts rules for licensed residential programs. It prevents new facilities from being located within 650 feet of existing small facilities unless special exceptions are met, such as when the site is in a hospital, has zoning approval, or receives a certificate of need from the commissioner. The legislation also requires the commissioner to notify local municipalities within ten days of issuing a new license for these facilities and allows the commissioner to delegate inspection authority to county agencies and local governments. Additionally, the bill updates how the commissioner evaluates applications by considering an applicant's compliance history and proximity to other similar facilities before granting licenses.