Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Community Schoolyards Grant Program in Minnesota to help create park-like outdoor spaces at elementary and secondary schools that serve as learning environments and community recreation areas. The program provides funding through two components: planning and design grants of up to $150,000 and construction grants of up to $850,000, available to local governments or school districts. To qualify, applicants must partner with a community-use partner like a local government or school district and demonstrate plans for the space to be accessible to the public outside school hours. The bill also requires applicants to show partnerships with organizations experienced in outdoor education and plans for matching funds or in-kind contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.65 million in state funding to the Ignite Businesswomen Investment Group Foundation to support women entrepreneurs in Minnesota. The funds will be used to create a capital access fund offering working capital, capacity-building grants, and low-interest loans, with a focus on women in underserved and economically disadvantaged communities. An additional $250,000 is designated for business planning, leadership development, financial literacy training, and grants to community organizations that specialize in women-focused entrepreneurship support. The appropriation is a one-time allocation for fiscal year 2027 and is administered through the commissioner of employment and economic development.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits Minnesota state and local government participation in federal civil immigration enforcement efforts, directing public resources toward local public safety priorities instead. It prohibits state agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for civil immigration violations and restricts where certain immigration-related arrests can occur. The legislation requires hospitals to create policies for interactions with law enforcement agents and ensures education cannot be denied based on immigration status. Additionally, it creates a civil cause of action for constitutional rights violations related to immigration enforcement and includes funding provisions to support these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's paid leave laws to clarify that employers who report suspected fraud by employees or applicants are not considered to be retaliating against them. It applies to employers who report fraud to the state commissioner or law enforcement regarding paid leave benefits. The law protects employers who make good faith fraud reports from retaliation claims, but it treats intentionally false reports as retaliatory actions. This change takes effect immediately upon final passage of the legislation.

Maddy summarySF 3651 appropriates $... for a one-time competitive grant program to help rural hospitals maintain maternity services. It directly affects nonfederal hospitals in communities under 30,000 population (outside Minneapolis-St. Paul), funding cross-training for medical staff to support maternity care. Grants support developing training programs for hospital staff to retain essential maternity unit capabilities. The commissioner must report by January 2028 on grant usage, staff trained, and unfunded requests.

Maddy summarySF 3937 appropriates $250,000 from the workforce development fund for a one-time grant to People Serving People in Minneapolis. The grant provides preemployment and job readiness services to parents and adults experiencing homelessness, including resume help, job search assistance, interview clothing, license fees, childcare, and transportation support. These services aim to help recipients overcome employment barriers, achieve financial stability, and build long-term self-sufficiency. The funding is specifically for fiscal year 2027 and cannot be used for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs 10% of the cannabis gross receipts tax revenue to fund a new youth grant program in Minnesota, starting in 2026. The program will provide grants to organizations offering after-school activities, mentorship, restorative justice initiatives, and other services that support youth development, mental health, and prevention of substance use. Priority funding will go to communities disproportionately affected by cannabis criminalization, while ensuring statewide distribution. The commissioner of children, youth, and families must report annually on grant awards and how the funds are used to legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in Minnesota to restrict access for certain federal immigration agents. Specifically, it prohibits DHS, ICE, CBP, or USCIS agents from entering child care facilities without a valid judicial warrant, written purpose statement, identification, and approval from the center's license holder. If access is granted, centers must limit agents to areas where children are not present. The law directly affects all licensed and certified license-exempt child care centers operating in Minnesota, aiming to protect children's safety during federal immigration enforcement activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million in state funding to the Immigrant Development Center, a nonprofit organization, to support the construction of a cultural mall in Moorhead. The funds will be used to purchase, renovate, and rebuild a building designed to house 75 businesses and create 140 jobs. The appropriation is a one-time grant that covers acquisition costs, demolition, building system upgrades, repairs, and interior improvements. The legislation directs the money specifically for this project and exempts it from certain state spending restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies small business contracting rules for the Metropolitan Council and related Minnesota state agencies, primarily affecting how these entities award contracts to small businesses. It allows agencies to give preference awards to small targeted group and veteran-owned businesses, set subcontracting goals for prime contractors, and award contracts directly to these businesses without competitive bidding under certain conditions. The legislation also requires prime contractors to pay subcontractors within ten days of receiving payment and mandates a legislative report on compliance with these new requirements.