Sen. Mary Kunesh-Podein

Maddy summarySF 3154 establishes a "Foster Youth Bill of Rights" in Minnesota, directly affecting youth in foster care under 18 (or up to 21 in extended care). It codifies specific rights, including the right to receive care at least as good as non-foster peers, protection from abuse (including verbal harassment and hate speech), clean living spaces free from pests, and culturally appropriate services. The bill prohibits excessive medication, physical discipline, group punishment, and neglect of basic needs like medical diets or belongings. It also clarifies that these rights complement existing laws like the Indian Child Welfare Act, without replacing other protections.

Maddy summarySF 4056 amends Minnesota's Human Rights Act to add "veteran or military status" as a protected class under state anti-discrimination law. This means veterans and active-duty military personnel in Minnesota are now explicitly protected from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, and education. The bill defines "veteran or military status" using the federal standard from U.S. Code Title 38. It directly affects veterans and military personnel by expanding existing protections previously not specifically included in Minnesota's law.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to sell $40 million in bonds to fund a new hospital facility in Mahnomen. It appropriates these bond proceeds to the Mahnomen Health Center Joint Powers Board for constructing, furnishing, and equipping the new hospital. The funds will come from the state's bond proceeds fund, following standard bond issuance procedures under Minnesota law. This directly affects the Mahnomen community and the Health Center Joint Powers Board by providing capital for a new healthcare facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $225,000 (a one-time allocation) from Minnesota's workforce development fund to provide grants for secondary career and technical education programs offering meat cutting and butchery training. The grants cover equipment, facility renovations, and faculty training (with up to 10% of each grant for training), prioritizing programs partnering with Minnesota State Colleges or industry. By January 2028, the commissioner must report to lawmakers on grant distribution, including unfunded requests, and submit an updated report by November 2028 if additional grants are awarded. The bill directly affects high school career programs seeking to establish or expand meat processing training.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 4052 prohibits the sale or distribution of certain crop seeds (like corn, soybeans, and wheat) coated with systemic insecticides after January 1, 2029, unless a commissioner-approved waiver is obtained. It also bans the use of neonicotinoid insecticides on outdoor ornamental plants and turf, except in specific environmental emergencies where the commissioner determines it's necessary and no safer alternatives exist. The bill requires farmers seeking waivers to complete integrated pest management training and provide third-party pest risk assessments proving the need for treated seeds. Violations could result in civil penalties, and the commissioner must issue annual orders for emergency uses with strict geographic and duration limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public library employees in Minnesota to deny entry to immigration enforcement officials unless they present a valid judicial warrant. When access is granted, library staff must request official identification, limit entry to areas specified in the warrant, and immediately notify their city mayor, county board designee, or regional library system board. The law does not prevent officials from entering libraries to administer state or federally supported educational or library programs. This provision applies to all public libraries in Minnesota and takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Environmental Quality Board to update state rules requiring an environmental impact statement for large animal feedlot facilities. The requirement applies to new facilities with a capacity of 10,000 or more animal units or existing facilities being expanded to reach that same threshold. The legislation allows the commissioner to adopt these rules using a good-cause exemption, bypassing standard public hearing procedures. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment and apply to any applications submitted on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.3 million from the general fund to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians for wastewater infrastructure construction. It specifically funds a wastewater stabilization pond and associated water/sewer lines in the Little Rock District on the Red Lake Reservation. The one-time grant is intended to improve sanitation infrastructure directly serving tribal residents in that area.

Maddy summarySF 3768 requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover doula services - defined as childbirth support provided by a certified doula - without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees (such as deductibles or co-pays). The bill prohibits health plans from imposing review requirements, referral limits, or quantity restrictions on this coverage. The commissioner of commerce will reimburse insurers for the added costs starting in fiscal year 2028, funded through state appropriations, with the policy taking effect January 1, 2027. This applies to all health plans offered after that date and modifies Medicaid coverage for doula services to align with these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for a grant to the Women's Environmental Institute. It directly supports aspiring Black, Indigenous, and People of Color farmers facing limited land access by funding direct farm expense grants, training in regenerative organic farming, infrastructure, and project coordination. One-third of the funds must serve communities outside Minnesota's seven-county metro area. The one-time appropriation expires June 30, 2028.