Sen. Mary Kunesh-Podein

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota calculates and allocates compensatory education funding for school buildings in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. It changes the revenue formula to use a building compensatory allowance multiplied by the number of compensatory pupils, while also setting minimum funding floors to ensure schools receive at least a certain amount. The legislation allows districts to reallocate up to 40 percent of compensatory funds to different school sites based on board-approved plans, up from the usual 20 percent limit, and appropriates $55.6 million in state funding to support these changes.

Maddy summarySF 3593 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Minnesota's Permanent School Fund calculates annual distributions to school districts. It replaces the current "investment income" formula with a new "distributable amount" based on 4.5% of the fund's average net asset value over the previous three fiscal years. This change aims to ensure more stable, predictable annual payments while preserving the fund's long-term value for future school funding. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election and would take effect July 1, 2027. School districts across Minnesota would directly receive these revised annual distributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses and individuals from operating prediction markets in Minnesota that allow wagers on outcomes related to sports, politics, people, catastrophes, or death. It makes it a felony to run platforms where participants place bets on these specific future events, with exceptions for private social bets and licensed horse racing. The law also criminalizes advertising these prohibited products during certain times, in media likely to reach minors, near schools, or on public property. Financial institutions and payment processors that continue to process payments for these activities after receiving a cease and desist order from the attorney general would also face felony charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's water discharge notification laws to require public treatment facilities and sewer system owners to inform downstream users, including Tribal governments and drinking water facilities, when a pollution discharge occurs. The key provision adds a new requirement that these facilities must notify potentially impacted parties using the most efficient communication methods available, such as phone calls, social media, or in-person contact, and post signage at affected public areas. The bill also mandates that notices include specific details like the discharge date and time, material description, potential health risks, and contact information for the responsible party. Additionally, the state agency must provide guidance on methods and protocols for delivering timely notifications under these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill corrects a technical error in Minnesota's education funding law by updating a reference to outdated statutes. It modifies how school districts calculate deductions from general education aid by removing obsolete references to sections 127A.34 and 272.029. The change directly affects school districts receiving state education funding, ensuring their deductions align with current law. This is a procedural fix with no impact on actual funding amounts or policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires coroners and medical examiners in Minnesota to check for a history of domestic violence in cases of suicide, overdose, or accidental death, and to flag such cases for further investigation. It mandates that these officials offer interviews to family members and consider full autopsies to rule out homicide, while also requiring specific training on identifying concealed homicides. Additionally, the law directs law enforcement to review domestic violence histories to identify the predominant aggressor in cases involving intimate partners and to document these findings. The bill also establishes a process for family members to request investigative records within one year of a case closing and grants them eligibility for victim services. Finally, it updates peace officer training requirements to include instruction on recognizing and investigating domestic violence-related suspicious deaths.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3899) renames the state office building at 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul as the "Melissa Hortman State Office Building." It directly affects the building's official designation and all state documents referencing it. The bill requires the revisor of statutes to update "State Office Building" to "Melissa Hortman State Office Building" throughout Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota public schools to create and adopt evidence-based safety plans focused on preventing human-caused incidents, while also mandating regular drills for lockdowns, fires, and tornadoes. It establishes a role for the School Safety Center to develop model plans, evaluate their effectiveness, and report on which districts have adopted them. The legislation defines "evidence-based" strategies as those supported by strong research or promising data, ensuring schools use proven methods rather than arbitrary measures. Additionally, the bill integrates these safety plans with existing crisis management policies and encourages nonpublic schools to develop similar plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time $10 million fund to reimburse Minnesota cities for costs related to federal immigration enforcement activities expected between December 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Eligible expenses include operations for public safety, emergency management, public works, and legal counsel incurred during that specific period. Cities must submit verified cost reports to the state auditor by August 2026, after which funds will be distributed proportionally based on each city's certified expenses. The legislation also requires cities to return any state aid received if they subsequently obtain federal reimbursement for the same costs.

Maddy summarySF 2691 establishes clear standards for rent, utility charges, and fees in Minnesota manufactured home parks. It requires uniform rent rates (except for lot size/location or special services), prohibits fees based on household size, guests, home size, or occupancy, and mandates itemized billing for utilities. The bill also requires park owners to address safety hazards like dangerous trees within 14 days of resident notice and gives residents 60 days' written notice before rent increases. These changes directly affect manufactured home park residents and owners by increasing transparency and limiting arbitrary charges.