Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summarySF 3439 prohibits using "conscientiously held beliefs" as an exemption for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines in Minnesota schools and child care facilities. It removes the current option for parents to exempt children based on personal beliefs for MMR immunizations, requiring instead that parents provide either proof of vaccination or a medical exemption by August 1, 2026. This affects parents of children enrolled in preschools, pre-K programs, and K-12 schools, as well as child care centers and licensed exempt facilities. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 121A.15 to eliminate the existing exemption under subdivision 3(d) for MMR specifically, while preserving medical exemptions under subdivision 3(c). It takes effect on August 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 3520 amends Minnesota's cannabis licensing laws to clarify that employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and their trustees or employees do not count toward restrictions on being a "true party of interest" for multiple cannabis business licenses. The bill specifically exempts the trustee of an ESOP and employees (such as officers, managers, or directors) of a cannabis business owned by an ESOP from limitations that normally prevent an individual from being tied to more than one license application. This directly affects cannabis businesses using ESOPs to grant employee ownership stakes and their trustees/employees. The key mechanism adds these exemptions to existing rules, removing a barrier to using ESOPs in the cannabis industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $24.4 million in state bond funding for capital projects at Southwest Minnesota State University. The money will be used to renovate the Physical Education building, construct an indoor sports and recreation dome, and upgrade the gymnasium. The funds come from state bonds that the commissioner of management and budget will sell and issue according to existing state laws. This legislation directly affects the university's infrastructure and athletic facilities by providing specific construction and renovation budgets. The bill takes effect the day after it is officially passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota postsecondary institutions to clearly communicate deadlines for full tuition refunds during the add-drop period, where students can remove courses without being marked as withdrawn. It applies to state colleges and universities, private institutions with Minnesota campuses participating in federal aid programs, and encourages University of Minnesota schools to comply. Institutions must display refund deadlines prominently on their websites, share them directly with students during registration, and include them in student handbooks. The bill also establishes a formal complaint process allowing students to report violations, with the Office of Higher Education empowered to investigate complaints and impose penalties including fines of up to $500 per day per violation or require schools to take corrective action.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota counties to create lists of high-quality agricultural land that should be protected from electric power facility development. Counties can designate parcels as agricultural priority land if they have high crop productivity ratings or are classified as prime farmland, then submit these lists to the state Public Utilities Commission. The Commission cannot issue permits for large power plants on listed land unless the county board explicitly approves an exception. Landowners receive advance notice before their property is added to a list and have the right to request removal of their parcel. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Audubon to impose a 0.5% local sales and use tax if approved by voters in a special election. The tax revenue would be used to cover the costs of collecting the tax and to fund up to $3 million for a Fire Hall Project, with the option to issue bonds to finance the project. The tax would expire after 20 years or once the project costs are fully paid, whichever comes first, with any remaining funds going to the city's general fund. The bill also exempts the bonds from certain debt limits and does not require a separate voter approval for the bonds themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50 million in state bond proceeds to the Rural Finance Authority to fund specific agricultural loan programs for Minnesota farmers. It directly supports beginning farmers through the "beginning farmer program" and other initiatives like loan restructuring, seller-sponsored loans, and livestock expansion. The authority must prioritize funding for beginning farmer loans first, followed by seller-sponsored and agricultural improvement loans, with all loan shares priced to cover interest, principal, and potential losses. The state will issue up to $50.05 million in bonds (including $50,000 for bond sale costs) to finance this appropriation, with repayment handled through the authority's debt service.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to sell $40 million in bonds to fund a new hospital facility in Mahnomen. It appropriates these bond proceeds to the Mahnomen Health Center Joint Powers Board for constructing, furnishing, and equipping the new hospital. The funds will come from the state's bond proceeds fund, following standard bond issuance procedures under Minnesota law. This directly affects the Mahnomen community and the Health Center Joint Powers Board by providing capital for a new healthcare facility.

Maddy summarySF 3049 modifies Minnesota's physical therapy practice rules to clarify supervision requirements and delegation limits. It requires physical therapists to be physically present during at least every other treatment session with student physical therapists or student physical therapist assistants (replacing telecommunication as acceptable supervision). The bill also updates delegation rules, stating physical therapists cannot assign initial patient evaluations, treatment planning, or initial documentation to assistants or aides. These changes directly affect licensed physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in training across Minnesota healthcare settings. The bill amends specific sections of Minnesota Statutes 2024 related to physical therapy practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date of Minnesota's Farmer-Lender Mediation Act from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2032. It directly affects farmers and lenders facing potential foreclosure by preserving the existing mediation program that helps resolve disputes before court proceedings. The key provision simply updates the sunset date in Minnesota Statutes section 583.215 without changing the program's requirements or eligibility. This extension ensures the mediation process remains available for another five years. The bill does not create new policy but maintains the current framework for resolving agricultural debt conflicts.