Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summarySF 276 requires Minnesota's medical assistance programs (like Medicaid) to cover violence prevention services starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects individuals who have experienced community violence (e.g., injury or trauma symptoms) and certified violence prevention providers, including those offering counseling, peer support, conflict mediation, and care coordination. The bill establishes provider certification standards through the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, sets a minimum $25 per 15-minute service payment rate, and defines eligible services that must prevent future violence or improve health outcomes. This policy change expands coverage for trauma-informed violence prevention services within existing healthcare frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's veterans burial laws to clarify eligibility and adjust burial fees. It eliminates all burial fees for service members who died on active duty and eligible veterans (as defined by federal law), while requiring the Veterans Affairs commissioner to set fee schedules covering actual interment costs (excluding plot value) for spouses and dependent children. The bill also mandates a clear policy for waiving or reducing fees for indigent eligible applicants. These changes directly affect veterans, their families, and state-operated cemeteries by ensuring cost-free burial for veterans and creating structured fee management.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $6.4 million in bonds to fund public infrastructure improvements in Barnesville's Northwest Improvement Area. The funds will specifically support the city's water main, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer system upgrades, including predesign, construction, and equipment. The money comes from the bond proceeds fund and is appropriated directly to Barnesville via the Public Facilities Authority. This bill does not create new regulations but provides dedicated funding for physical infrastructure repairs in a specific city neighborhood.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Minnesota's HELP (Higher Education Loan Program) to provide low-interest student loans to eligible residents. It directly affects Minnesota residents attending public or nonprofit Minnesota colleges who earn under 300% of the federal poverty line, offering loans up to $5,000 annually (with a $20,000 lifetime limit) at a maximum 3% fixed interest rate. The program is funded by $17.5 million annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2026-2027, with repayments recycled into a dedicated account to sustain the program. It requires the Office of Higher Education to administer the loans, including contracting for servicing.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates three songs as official state songs of Minnesota: "Hail! Minnesota" (composed by Truman E. Rickard and Arthur E. Upson), "Purple Rain" (by Prince and the Revolution), and "Girl from the North Country" (by Bob Dylan). It formally recognizes these songs as part of Minnesota's cultural identity under state law. The bill explicitly states that this designation does not override copyright protections, meaning performances or derivative works still require permission from copyright holders. The law affects the state's official cultural recognition, not public access or usage rights.

Maddy summarySF 1142 modifies Minnesota's net energy metering rules for small solar and renewable energy systems. It allows residential and small commercial customers with systems under 40 kilowatts to choose compensation at the average retail energy rate instead of the current avoided cost rate. This change applies when they send excess electricity back to the grid, directly affecting homeowners and small businesses with solar installations. The bill adjusts billing provisions for these systems under Minnesota Statutes 216B.164, giving customers a new option for how they're paid for surplus energy. The amendment focuses on updating compensation methods without changing the 40-kilowatt capacity threshold for small systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $350,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the Red River mediation agreement. It provides grants covering up to 50% of implementation costs for entities working under the agreement. The funding directly affects organizations or stakeholders involved in implementing the Red River mediation agreement, which addresses water management or environmental issues in the Red River basin. The bill creates no new policy but allocates specific state funds to advance an existing mediation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's definition of "sustainable aviation fuel" in statute. It specifies that the fuel must achieve at least a 50% reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel, using either the Argonne National Laboratory's GREET model or the International Civil Aviation Organization's methodology. The definition explicitly excludes fuel derived from palm fatty acid distillates and lists acceptable feedstocks like biomass, captured carbon, and green hydrogen. This definition directly affects producers and blenders of sustainable aviation fuel who qualify for tax benefits under Minnesota law.

Maddy summarySF 1508 appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $400,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Building Strong Communities, Inc. The funds support a statewide apprenticeship readiness program targeting women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color individuals, and veterans to prepare them for careers in building and construction. The program is funded as a one-time appropriation, not a recurring annual allocation. This bill directly affects the specified demographic groups by providing resources to enter skilled trades through structured training.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue $6.5 million in bonds for two special education cooperatives in Minnesota. It provides funding for Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative No. 6096-52 and Area Special Education Cooperative No. 997 to build or improve facilities housing regional programs for students with autism, cognitive disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and other specific educational needs. The funds cover predesign, construction, renovation, and equipment without requiring local matching funds. The bonds will be sold through standard state procedures to finance these education learning centers.