Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summarySF 310 amends Minnesota's earned sick and safe time law by updating the definition of "employee." It specifically excludes certain farm workers: those employed by a family farm or farm corporation with five or fewer total employees, or those working 28 days or less per year for the farm. This change directly affects farm laborers under these conditions, removing their eligibility for the state's earned sick time benefits. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes section 181.9445, subdivision 5, to clarify these exclusions. The law remains neutral, focusing on the policy change to the eligibility criteria.

Maddy summarySF 272 expands Minnesota's medical assistance program to cover room and board costs for hospice care provided in community-based settings (like a patient's home or a community facility), where such costs are not already covered by other programs. This amendment applies directly to eligible medical assistance recipients receiving hospice services in these community settings, ensuring coverage for these essential expenses. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes § 256B.0625, subdivision 22, to explicitly include room and board under hospice care coverage. It does not change existing rules about terminal illness treatment or apply to residential hospice facilities.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 891 creates a property tax exemption for up to three acres of real property owned or leased by congressionally chartered veterans organizations that also operate as nonprofit community service organizations. The exemption applies if the property isn’t used residentially and either limits revenue-generating activities to six days yearly or requires annual charitable contributions equal to prior year’s property taxes. Property owners leasing to these organizations must apply by May 1 each year, and organizations must document charitable giving or host free community events. The exemption begins for 2026 property taxes and requires recordkeeping for assessors to verify eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates unspecified funds for Minnesota's existing Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, which provides financial support to farmers adopting soil health practices. It allocates money for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, limiting grants to $50,000 per recipient annually and allowing up to 6.5% of the total appropriation for program administration. Unspent funds from 2026 automatically carry over to 2027, and contracts signed by June 30, 2027, remain valid until June 30, 2029. The program directly benefits agricultural producers who implement soil health practices, with funding administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture under existing law (M.S. §17.134).

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill SF 977 amends Minnesota law to eliminate replacement fees for motor vehicles displaying Purple Heart medal special license plates. The bill specifically removes a $5 fee required when replacing these plates due to loss, theft, or damage, extending an existing exemption currently limited to certain scenarios. This change directly affects Minnesota veterans who hold Purple Heart medal special plates, ensuring they pay no fee when replacing their plates. The provision modifies sections 168.12 and 168.123 of Minnesota Statutes to align with the existing fee exemption for Purple Heart plates under section 168.1245.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from the general fund for grants to Minnesota retail gas stations that sell fuel for vehicles manufactured after 2000. The grants help upgrade equipment to dispense E25 biofuel, covering up to 65% of costs (max $200,000 per station), to meet state biofuel goals. Eligible stations must have no more than ten locations in Minnesota and replace non-certified equipment. The commissioner must report annually on funded projects, including geographic distribution, metrics on leveraged funding, and support for minority- or women-owned businesses. The program directly supports fuel retailers expanding biofuel access while tracking program impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from the arts and cultural heritage fund for a grant to the Immigrant Development Center (a nonprofit) to establish a cultural mall in Moorhead. The grant can be used to acquire, renovate, and upgrade property for this purpose. It directly affects the Immigrant Development Center and the Moorhead community by funding a physical space to preserve and enhance arts and cultural heritage of diverse Minnesota communities. The bill authorizes $[amount] for fiscal year 2026, with no additional policy changes beyond the funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $14,018,000 from state bond proceeds to fund the design, construction, renovation, and equipment for the Center for Rural Health and Wellness at Southwest Minnesota State University. It authorizes the state to sell bonds up to this amount to cover the costs, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The funds directly support campus infrastructure improvements at Southwest Minnesota State University. The project specifically targets the new health center facility, with the bill effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for agricultural lands used as riparian buffers (vegetated areas along waterways that protect water quality) on designated class 2a and 2b farmland. Landowners must apply through county assessors and maintain compliance with buffer requirements to qualify. Local governments lose tax revenue from the exemption but will receive annual reimbursements from the state, paid in two installments each year starting in 2026. The reimbursement amount equals the actual tax revenue lost due to the exemption.

Maddy summarySF 917 authorizes the state to issue up to $1,050,000 in bonds to fund a 12-unit youth transitional facility in Perham, Otter Tail County. The bill appropriates these bond proceeds to the county for designing, constructing, and equipping the facility, which will provide comprehensive supportive services to youth transitioning from foster care or institutional settings. The facility aims to link housing with services like counseling and job training in a residential setting. This legislation directly affects Otter Tail County and youth in need of transitional housing support.