Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $30 million annually from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. It directly funds programs and services designed to support student success by addressing basic needs like food and housing, expanding mental health access, enhancing in-person learning environments, and improving career preparation. The funds are specifically allocated to improve existing student support systems at the University of Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 2244 increases the reference values used to calculate school district equalization levies under Minnesota education finance law. It raises the first-tier reference value from $567,000 to $1,500,000 and the second-tier reference value from $290,000 to $870,000 per student. This change means school districts with higher property values per student will pay less in equalization levies. The bill also appropriates funds for general education aid for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It becomes effective for revenue in fiscal year 2027 and later.

Maddy summarySF 1940 makes Minnesota's paramedic scholarship program permanent, extending it beyond its 2026 expiration. The bill appropriates $3.2 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund up to 600 annual scholarships for students entering paramedic programs. It requires the Office of Higher Education to report yearly on scholarship distribution, program locations, paramedic workforce demand, and recipient demographics. This directly affects paramedic students in Minnesota by providing financial support for their education. The program replaces the previous temporary funding structure with ongoing legislative authorization.

Maddy summarySF 2401 appropriates state funds to provide hospital, medical, and dental benefits to part-time or adjunct faculty at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who teach six or more credits annually and currently lack such coverage. The bill requires the Board of Trustees to collect data on participation to estimate future costs and submit a report to legislators by November 2027. This is a one-time funding measure, not an ongoing benefit expansion, with no specified dollar amounts in the text. The policy directly affects eligible part-time faculty members and aims to address gaps in their benefits access.

Maddy summarySF 2559 appropriates $2 million from state bonds to fund road improvements in the city of Hawley, Minnesota. The bill specifically authorizes funding for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 8th Street South, Sunset Boulevard, Joseph Street, and associated stormwater drainage systems. The state will sell up to $2 million in bonds under existing bond laws to provide this grant to Hawley. This direct funding supports local infrastructure projects in Hawley without requiring additional local funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Agriculture to prepare a report on agricultural land trends using a $750,000 one-time appropriation from the general fund. The report must include data on farmland sales (price, acreage, buyer type, financing), regional land use patterns, and legislative recommendations to maintain farmland availability for farmers. It mandates the report be submitted to relevant legislative committees by January 1, 2027, while ensuring no personally identifiable information is included. The bill directly affects state agencies (Agriculture, Revenue, University of Minnesota) coordinating the report, and informs future policy decisions about farmland preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates a one-time sum from Minnesota's general fund to the state's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for a grant to the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard. The funds will cover construction costs for a chapel, parking lot, and related infrastructure at a veterans national cemetery in North Dakota. The project directly affects the cemetery's operations and visitors by providing new facilities. The appropriation is limited to fiscal year 2026 and does not create new ongoing state obligations.

Maddy summarySF 1622 modifies how Minnesota reimburses Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics for medical services. It requires these providers to annually choose between two payment methods: the standard prospective payment system or an alternative method based on Medicare cost principles. This change applies to all claims for services provided on or after January 1, 2021, updating Minnesota's reimbursement process under state law. The bill directly affects FQHCs and rural health clinics operating in Minnesota that receive state medical assistance payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.4 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the city of Detroit Lakes to renovate the historic Washington Ball Field and grandstand. The funding, designated for fiscal year 2026, directly supports the city's preservation efforts for this local landmark. The bill does not create new policies but provides specific financial resources for a designated renovation project.

Maddy summarySF 1359 modifies Minnesota's advanced biofuel production incentive program. It requires facilities to source at least 80% of raw materials from Minnesota (or within 100 miles of the border), produce a minimum of 23,750 MMbtu quarterly, and exclude conventional corn ethanol and biodiesel. Payments for eligible advanced biofuel production cease after June 30, 2035, and producers cannot transfer eligibility to other facilities. This bill directly affects Minnesota-based advanced biofuel producers, including existing facilities adding capacity or new companies meeting the sourcing and production criteria.