Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to provide a one-time grant to SEWA-AIFW. The funds are designated for SEWA-AIFW to deliver workforce development services. The bill directly affects SEWA-AIFW as the recipient of this specific grant funding. It is a straightforward appropriation bill with no additional policy provisions or mechanisms beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to establish the Northwest Metro Regional Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). The center, serving Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, and Robbinsdale, will use real-time data analysis to improve coordination among local police departments and enable faster responses to crime. It requires a 12-member advisory board - including police representatives and mayors from each city - to oversee operations and submit biennial reports to the governor and legislature. The funding creates a centralized facility for monitoring and analyzing crime data across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Housing Development Fund, then allocates those funds to CAPI USA. The money is specifically for CAPI USA to administer its existing homeownership education and financial counseling programs. The funds are a one-time transfer, not an ongoing annual appropriation. This directly affects CAPI USA, a nonprofit organization providing housing-related services, and supports its work with potential or current homeowners in Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 2038 expands opportunities for small businesses owned by minorities or veterans under Metropolitan Council contracts. It allows the Council to directly negotiate contracts (without competitive bidding) for projects under $161,320, and authorizes a 6% bid preference for qualifying small businesses. The bill also requires prime contractors to subcontract at least 75% of work to these businesses and sets payment deadlines with interest penalties for late payments to subcontractors. This directly affects the Metropolitan Council’s procurement of construction, goods, and services, and benefits small targeted group and veteran-owned businesses designated under Minnesota law.

Maddy summarySF 568 expands Minnesota's definition of "veteran" to include two specific groups: Hmong veterans naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000, and veterans who served with irregular forces in Laos during the Secret War (1961-1975) as U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It also establishes an advisory task force of up to seven members - including Secret War veterans, academics, and community representatives - to advise the commissioner of veterans affairs on eligibility criteria for the expanded definition. This change directly affects these veterans by enabling them to access state veteran benefits and services previously unavailable under Minnesota law. The task force will develop concrete criteria to determine qualification, ensuring the expanded definition aligns with historical service.

Maddy summaryHF 1471 requires local governments in Minnesota (such as cities or towns) to provide renters with a copy of the Attorney General's existing landlord-tenant guide whenever they issue or renew a rental license. This applies whether the license is issued in person (requiring a physical copy) or electronically (requiring a link to the guide online). The bill directly affects landlords who obtain rental licenses and local governments that administer the licensing process. It ensures renters have immediate access to clear information about their rights and responsibilities under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $80,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the city of Osseo to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025. The funds will support local art, music, and cultural heritage programming as part of the city's sesquicentennial events. The appropriation is for fiscal year 2026, directly affecting Osseo's community planning for its anniversary celebration. As a procedural funding measure, it does not create new policies or affect broader state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force to develop science-based recommendations for foraging regulations on state lands. The task force, requiring diverse membership including Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists, foraging advocates, and conservation representatives, must review existing rules and gather data on foraging impacts by December 1, 2026. It will propose specific guidelines balancing ecological sustainability with public access, create educational materials, and explore permit models including volunteer options. The bill directly affects Minnesotans who forage on state lands and aims to inform future regulations through data-driven, culturally inclusive recommendations.

Maddy summarySF 3266 authorizes the Minnesota Commissioner of Health to conduct a feasibility study for a state-run web platform designed to help seniors (50+) coordinate with healthcare providers, insurers, and state agencies. The study must examine the platform's required capabilities, creation costs, and ongoing maintenance fees funded through provider fees. It requires consultation with stakeholders including health insurers, aging services providers, senior advocates, and the public. The study results must be reported to legislative committees by February 1, 2026, before any decision on building the platform. This bill does not create the platform but assesses its feasibility.

Maddy summaryThe YIGBY Housing Act requires cities to allow religious organizations to build residential housing on their owned land with specific limits: up to 3 units in most residential zones, up to 8 units in non-single-family zones, and more in commercial/high-density areas. It mandates minimum density standards (at least 1.25x current zoning density) and requires developments to meet "affordable housing" criteria, such as a percentage of units for households earning 50-60% of area median income. This directly affects religious organizations seeking to expand housing and cities managing zoning regulations. The bill restricts local governments from blocking these developments under defined conditions.