Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.7 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for community action grants. The funds are designated for existing community action programs under Minnesota Statutes sections 142F.30 to 142F.302. It does not create new programs or change eligibility rules, but provides ongoing funding for current grant initiatives. The bill directly affects community action agencies that administer these grants, which typically support poverty prevention and economic development services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum number of shareholders, members, or partners allowed in agricultural entities (like family farm corporations, LLCs, or partnerships) that qualify for special homestead tax treatment from 12 to 20 people. It directly affects farm businesses structured as these entities that seek reduced property tax rates (class 1b or 2a) for properties where a qualifying owner resides and farms the land. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.124 to raise this shareholder limit, allowing larger family-owned agricultural operations to maintain eligibility for the tax benefits. The change takes effect for homestead applications in 2025 and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota school districts and charter schools with declining enrollment can use student support personnel aid. It allows these schools (defined as having fewer students on October 1 of the previous year compared to two years prior) to use the funds to maintain existing support staff positions or contracted services from licensed professionals like counselors or nurses, rather than requiring new hires. The change extends eligibility for this funding for four consecutive fiscal years after a school qualifies as having declining enrollment. This policy directly affects school districts facing enrollment decreases by providing flexibility to preserve existing student support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 808) allows property owners to restrict access to government-held easements if they suffer harm, such as by installing gates or fences. It requires owners to provide government entities with reasonable access (e.g., keys or codes) to maintain the easement's purpose. Government entities that refuse to permit this protection forfeit their easement rights. The bill directly affects property owners and local/state government entities managing easements on private land.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires government entities (like cities, counties, or state agencies) to provide actual notice to private property owners before using an easement on their land. Owners must be notified via mail, email, or phone, and failure to do so results in a $500 civil penalty per violation. Affected property owners can sue for actual damages, penalties, court costs, and attorney fees if the notice requirement is violated. The law applies to all existing easements held by government entities and aims to ensure property owners are informed before government access or use.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota's existing "shotgun use area" boundary for deer hunting, which previously restricted firearm types in specific geographic zones. It replaces this with a provision allowing counties to adopt local rules limiting firearm and ammunition types for deer hunting, after holding public hearings. Each county rule would expire after one year and require renewal through another public process. This shifts regulation from statewide boundaries to flexible county-level decisions, directly affecting deer hunters in counties that choose to implement such rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $400,000 for Silver Bay Trailhead construction in Silver Bay and $500,000 for trail development at Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisolm, both for fiscal year 2026. The funds come from the general fund and are directed to the commissioner of natural resources for grants to the respective cities. The legislation directly affects Silver Bay and Chisolm by providing money for specific trail infrastructure projects. It does not create new regulations but allocates existing state funds for physical development at these two locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.95 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2027 (with a base amount for future years) to fund Minnesota's "farm to food shelf" program through Second Harvest Heartland. It directs funds specifically for: purchasing milk from Minnesota processors for food shelves ($850,000/year), compensating farmers for harvesting surplus produce to prevent waste, buying protein products (meat, dairy, legumes) from Minnesota sources, and purchasing produce from "The Good Acre" ($500,000/year). The program directly benefits Minnesota's five Feeding America food banks and charitable organizations distributing food, while requiring food to be sourced from local agricultural producers and processors. Second Harvest Heartland must submit quarterly reports detailing fund usage, food distribution, and commodity purchases to the Agriculture Commissioner and relevant legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies coverage for chiropractic services under MinnesotaCare and medical assistance programs. It limits non-x-ray chiropractic services to one annual evaluation and 24 visits per year (unless prior authorization is obtained), and restricts x-ray coverage to specific spinal areas (full spine, pelvis, or sacroiliac joints) only when needed for diagnosing subluxation. The bill repeals an older provision that previously stated MinnesotaCare covered "medically necessary exams, manual manipulation, and x-rays" without these specific limits. It directly affects MinnesotaCare and medical assistance program beneficiaries seeking chiropractic care.

Maddy summarySF 668 amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify which National Guard and reserve military compensation qualifies for a state income tax subtraction. It specifically defines "active service" for tax purposes, including state active duty during disasters or under federal programs, and adds North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin as qualifying neighboring states for certain service. This change directly affects Minnesota National Guard members, reserve military personnel, and those from qualifying neighboring states serving in active duty roles. The revised rules apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill makes the tax deduction rules more precise without altering the deduction amount itself.