Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new grant program to support individuals and families affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in Minnesota. It appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of health. The funds will be awarded to a statewide organization focused exclusively on FASD prevention and intervention, requiring it to develop programming that provides education, resource navigation, support groups, and social connection opportunities for people with FASD and their caregivers. The bill directly affects Minnesotans living with FASD and their families by expanding access to targeted support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $60.4 million from state bond proceeds to fund flood mitigation projects in Moorhead, Clay County, and the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District. The funds cover both the state share and local share (when project costs exceed 2% of median household income multiplied by local households) for publicly owned flood prevention infrastructure under state law. The money is raised by issuing state bonds, following standard bond procedures for capital investments. This directly supports local governments and districts working to reduce flood damage risks in these specific areas.

Maddy summarySF 1892 would allow Minnesota cities and counties to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections, such as city council or school board races. Under this bill, voters would rank candidates in order of preference (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd), and if no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, lower-ranked preferences would transfer to remaining candidates in rounds until one achieves a majority. The bill establishes procedures for local jurisdictions to implement RCV, including rules for electronic voting systems that reallocate votes and definitions for key terms like "batch elimination" and "highest continuing ranking." It does not apply to state-level elections or require any jurisdiction to adopt RCV - local governments would choose whether to use it.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes to ensure surviving spouses of veterans who died from military service can continue receiving state education benefits even if they remarry. It specifically updates the definition of "eligible spouse" in Section 197.791 to clarify that remarriage does not disqualify a surviving spouse from accessing these benefits. The policy directly affects surviving spouses who meet residency requirements and are enrolled in eligible Minnesota educational institutions. This change aligns with federal education benefits eligibility under Title 38, ensuring consistent access to state support regardless of marital status after the veteran's death.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends time limits for Moorhead's Tax Increment Financing District No. 31 under state law. It changes the initial five-year period for using tax increment financing to ten years and extends the period for using the tax increment after that to 11 years. The change directly affects the city of Moorhead's ability to fund development projects within District No. 31 using future tax revenue growth from that specific area. The extension allows more time for the city to finance infrastructure improvements within the district using the incremental tax revenue generated.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's commissioner of public safety to amend driver medical rules by January 2026. It allows physicians to certify drivers who experienced loss of consciousness (e.g., from seizures) based on specific medical history: either no antiseizure medication or seizures for 10+ years (for epilepsy history), or no medication or episodes for 5+ years (for single nonepileptic seizures). The certification would confirm minimal risk of recurrence, eliminating the need for further physician review. This directly affects drivers with seizure-related medical histories seeking to maintain or regain driving privileges.

Maddy summarySF 1831 allocates $1 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund county agricultural inspectors across Minnesota. It directly affects counties that employ inspectors meeting specific requirements, such as completing state training, compiling weed inspection reports, and coordinating with the Agriculture Commissioner. To receive funds, counties must submit annual applications, and the Agriculture Commissioner will distribute available money equally among eligible counties. The bill ensures funding supports inspectors' core duties like weed control coordination and annual reporting, with up to 3% of each year's funds allowed for administrative costs. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change, focused on maintaining county-level agricultural inspection capacity.

Maddy summarySF 1837 clarifies how Minnesota school districts can use state funds for student support personnel (like counselors, psychologists, and nurses). It specifies that these funds can be used to hire new staff, increase part-time positions, make temporary pandemic-related hires permanent, or pay for contracted services from licensed professionals if new hires aren't possible. The bill also allows districts to maintain existing support positions if they provide assurance they would otherwise be eliminated. This applies to school districts, charter schools, and cooperative education units using state aid for student support services. The changes take effect for fiscal year 2025 and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $60,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $60,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to the Northern Crops Institute. The funds may be used by the Institute to purchase equipment. The bill directly affects the Northern Crops Institute by providing dedicated funding for equipment acquisition through the Agriculture Department. It is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes or broader regulatory impact.

Maddy summarySF 1810 requires Minnesota's Human Services Commissioner to update state disability waiver plans by December 2025 to allow billing for certain direct care services when participants travel out of state or attend out-of-state college. Specifically, it would clarify that services like respite, night supervision, and individualized home supports without training can be authorized and billed during these temporary out-of-state stays. This directly affects disability waiver participants who travel or attend school outside Minnesota, ensuring uninterrupted access to covered services. The bill adjusts billing rules to accommodate temporary out-of-state needs without changing the services themselves.