Sen. Mary Kunesh-Podein

Maddy summarySF 3594 modifies the duties of Minnesota's school trust lands director by requiring a ten-year strategic plan (updated every five years) focused on increasing asset value, balancing revenue generation with land stewardship, and improving long-term management of school trust lands. It also mandates an annual report by January 15 to the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission, detailing management activities, financial performance, revenue opportunities, and funding distributed to public schools. The report must include recommendations for statutory changes to enhance the trust's financial outcomes. These changes, effective July 2026, aim to increase transparency and accountability in managing school trust lands, which fund Minnesota's public schools and charter schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's 2025 agricultural appropriations to increase funding for existing programs. It raises the total general fund appropriation from $56,052,000 to $56,552,000 and boosts specific allocations, including $250,000 more for dairy development, $500,000 more for local food grants in year two, and $3 million annually for biofuel infrastructure grants. The changes directly affect Minnesota farmers, processors, and agricultural businesses by expanding support for organic certification, mental health services, sustainable farming research, and biofuel retail equipment upgrades. These are budget adjustments to existing programs, not new policy mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Minnesota school districts and charter schools receive library funding. It specifies that for fiscal year 2024 and later, independent/special school districts get aid equal to the greater of $16.11 per adjusted pupil unit or $40,000, while charter schools get the greater of $16.11 per unit or $20,000. The change applies retroactively to fiscal year 2024. The bill directly affects school districts and charter schools by defining their library aid calculations under existing funding rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time period that natural organic reduction facilities in Minnesota can hold deceased human bodies before beginning the natural reduction process, increasing the limit from 24 hours to 30 days. The amendment applies to facilities that accept legal and physical custody of bodies for natural organic reduction and requires refrigeration if a body is held for more than four calendar days. If the natural reduction process is not started within 30 days, the facility must either embalm the body or have it embalmed, unless the process begins within that timeframe. The change directly affects funeral service providers and natural organic reduction facilities by allowing more time to initiate the reduction process without mandatory embalming.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the state of Minnesota from withholding federal income tax from the paychecks of state employees. It directly affects the state's payroll system and all employees working for state agencies. The law requires the commissioner of management and budget and agency heads to stop deducting federal taxes from employee wages and to repeal existing statutes that authorized such withholdings. This change means state employees will receive their full gross pay without federal tax deductions, and the state will no longer act as an agent for collecting these taxes from employee salaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires parents in Minnesota whose parental rights are terminated to continue paying child support obligations, including any unpaid amounts owed under existing court orders. The law applies to cases where a court terminates parental rights based on specific conditions outlined in state statutes, such as abandonment or abuse. While the termination ends most legal ties between parent and child, this provision ensures financial support continues for the child. The changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to parental right terminations ordered on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date for the City of Fridley's authority to transfer tax increment financing from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2031. The change allows the city to continue using this financing method for up to four additional years to fund local development projects. The bill becomes effective once the city council and its clerk complete specific administrative requirements under state law. This legislative action directly impacts the City of Fridley by modifying the timeline for its existing tax increment financing program.

Maddy summarySF 3750 would require Minnesota's commissioner of labor and industry to update state building rules, specifically removing a requirement for Group E schools to construct storm shelters. This change directly affects Minnesota schools classified as Group E under current building codes, meaning those schools would no longer need to build storm shelters per the amended rules. The bill modifies Minnesota Rules part 1305.0423 to exclude Group E schools from the storm shelter mandate, using an existing rulemaking exemption process. The policy change simplifies construction requirements for these specific schools without creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2565 establishes a voluntary "Minnesota Civic Seal" for high school students who meet specific civic engagement criteria. To earn the seal, students must complete approved civics coursework, complete a project-based assessment, participate in at least one civic activity outside class (like voting in student elections or community service), and demonstrate civic dispositions like respect for diverse views. Schools may choose to participate, must provide free access to the program, and will affix the seal to diplomas for qualifying students. The program applies to students graduating in 2027 or later, with the Department of Education developing accessible criteria to ensure equitable access across all communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts, charter schools, and other defined education employers (like service cooperatives and intermediate districts) to join Minnesota's public employees insurance program. It establishes a mandatory health insurance pool for all school employees, replacing their previous option to offer separate coverage. School employers must participate in this program, which provides standardized coverage tiers and high-deductible plan options. The bill amends existing law to implement this requirement without creating new funding.