Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota gas stations to offer E-15 gasoline, which contains 15 percent ethanol, starting in 2028 for new stations and 2030 for existing stations with compatible equipment. Existing stations must sell E-15 from at least one dispenser, while new stations must offer it from at least half of their dispensers. The Department of Agriculture will monitor E-15 supply and prices, and can issue waivers for small businesses with annual sales under $300,000 or for stations with older fuel tanks that would cost more than $100,000 to upgrade. The governor may temporarily adjust these requirements if price differences or unavailability cause economic hardship to retailers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mattress and box spring producers (brand owners) and retailers to add a $5 assessment to each item sold in Minnesota. The funds collected - paid quarterly to the Pollution Control Agency - will be deposited into a special account. The account will provide annual grants to local governments to expand and support their mattress recycling programs. The fee applies to all sales, including online transactions, and is intended to directly fund recycling infrastructure development.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota law to allow certain school district lease levy amounts to qualify for agricultural credit authorization associated with school building bonds. It directly affects school districts in Minnesota that levy taxes for debt service, particularly those operating across multiple counties or using cooperative units. The key provision clarifies how to calculate the portion of a levy designated for debt service, including amounts from specific bond sections and cooperative unit contributions, while excluding certain postemployment benefit repayments. These changes will take effect starting with taxes payable in 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program in Minnesota to help school districts and transportation providers purchase propane-fueled school buses. It directly affects public school districts, private transportation companies, and communities with high poverty rates or rural locations. The program requires applicants to submit detailed plans showing how they will use the buses, particularly in areas serving students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and gives priority funding to disadvantaged districts. The state Energy Department will manage the grants, provide technical support, and must aim to award at least 40 percent of available funds to prioritized school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new $10 million facilities grant program for cooperative units in Minnesota that provide special education or career and technical education services. The program will allocate funds to eligible cooperative units for construction, renovation, or other facility-related purposes authorized under existing state education finance statutes. Each grant award is capped at $2 million, and the bill appropriates the funding from the state's general fund for the 2027 fiscal year. The legislation also sets aside a portion of the appropriation for administrative costs related to managing the grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the cities of Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes to issue special social district licenses that permit the consumption of alcohol in designated outdoor areas near licensed bars and restaurants. The legislation requires cities to establish clear boundaries, operating hours, and management plans for these districts while ensuring public safety and health standards are maintained. Key provisions mandate that alcoholic beverages consumed in social districts must be purchased from nearby licensed premises, served in non-glass containers with specific labeling, and disposed of before leaving the district unless returning to the place of purchase. The bill also includes protections for property owners who object to having their land included in a social district designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would classify kratom as a Schedule II controlled substance in Minnesota, placing it in the same category as drugs like morphine and fentanyl that have high abuse potential. The legislation adds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (the active compounds in kratom) to Minnesota's Schedule II list while repealing previous provisions that had separate rules for kratom. This change would subject kratom to the same strict regulations as other Schedule II substances, including prescription requirements, secure storage, and detailed recordkeeping. The bill would affect anyone selling or possessing kratom in Minnesota, including those under 18 who currently face misdemeanor charges for possession under the repealed section.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents violations of Minnesota's campfire maintenance law from being classified as payable offenses, meaning they cannot be assigned fixed fines through the state's uniform fine schedule. It directly affects individuals who break campfire rules by removing the option for judicial officials to set standardized monetary penalties for these violations. The law takes effect on August 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. This change requires alternative penalty methods for campfire law violations rather than using the existing fine schedule system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's paid leave laws to clarify that employers who report suspected fraud by employees or applicants are not considered to be retaliating against them. It applies to employers who report fraud to the state commissioner or law enforcement regarding paid leave benefits. The law protects employers who make good faith fraud reports from retaliation claims, but it treats intentionally false reports as retaliatory actions. This change takes effect immediately upon final passage of the legislation.

Maddy summarySF 3484 amends Minnesota Statutes to expand the definition of "partnership policy" for the Minnesota Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. It adds long-term care insurance policies sold before July 1, 2015, with 1-3% annual inflation protection to the list of qualifying policies. This change directly affects Minnesotans who purchased such policies prior to 2015, allowing them to count toward the program’s requirements. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2027, or upon federal approval, whichever comes later.