Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "plug-in solar photovoltaic devices" as portable solar systems under 1,200 watts designed to offset personal electricity use. It exempts these devices from requiring interconnection agreements with utilities, net metering rules, and utility-imposed fees or reporting for installation or operation. Homeowners and renters using these small-scale devices would face simplified installation processes without utility oversight. The bill also states utilities cannot be held liable for damage caused by these devices. This regulation directly affects Minnesota residents installing small, personal solar systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Minnesota's health professional education loan forgiveness program to include physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. By amending state statutes, the legislation allows these healthcare providers to receive loan forgiveness if they agree to practice in designated rural areas or underserved urban communities. The change adds physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to the list of qualified professionals who can access financial assistance through the existing program. This policy adjustment aims to increase access to physical therapy services in areas with healthcare shortages without altering the core requirements or funding mechanisms of the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds for the Minnesota Department of Human Services to modernize two critical computer systems: MAXIS, which manages public assistance casework, and MMIS, which processes Medicaid health care claims and payments. The money must be used specifically to create and implement a replacement plan for these systems, with input from counties, Tribal Nations, and health plans to ensure improvements directly benefit workers and services. The appropriation is a one-time allocation for fiscal year 2026 and cannot be used for unrelated IT projects or other departmental systems. The bill takes effect the day after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to provide $1,850,000 in funding to the city of Frazee for improvements to North River Drive and related water and sewer infrastructure. The money will be used to design, engineer, and construct the road project connecting County State-Aid Highway 29 to Trunk Highway 87 and Wannigan Regional Park. To finance this appropriation, the bill authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds up to $1,850,000 following state legal procedures. The legislation directly affects the city of Frazee by enabling the planned infrastructure development and involves state transportation and budget officials in the funding process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's employment laws to create specific exemptions from rest and meal break requirements for certain workers. It directly affects employees who are the sole workers at a location while providing life-sustaining services, caring for vulnerable adults, or responding to emergencies. Under the new provisions, these exempted employees would not be required to take mandated breaks, though they must still be allowed time to use the restroom and eat meals while working. The changes amend existing state statutes to clarify these exemptions without removing all break protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $225,000 (a one-time allocation) from Minnesota's workforce development fund to provide grants for secondary career and technical education programs offering meat cutting and butchery training. The grants cover equipment, facility renovations, and faculty training (with up to 10% of each grant for training), prioritizing programs partnering with Minnesota State Colleges or industry. By January 2028, the commissioner must report to lawmakers on grant distribution, including unfunded requests, and submit an updated report by November 2028 if additional grants are awarded. The bill directly affects high school career programs seeking to establish or expand meat processing training.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits food manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in Minnesota from intentionally adding ortho-phthalates to packaging materials for packaged food products. It defines ortho-phthalates as esters of phthalic acid and applies to various packaging components including inks, coatings, adhesives, and plasticizers. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency would enforce this ban in coordination with the commissioners of health and commerce, with the law taking effect one year after final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Audubon, Minnesota, to collect a local sales tax of up to 0.5% to help fund a new fire station. The tax would require voter approval before implementation and could generate up to $3 million in revenue for construction costs and associated bond expenses. If approved, the city could issue bonds to finance the project, with the tax revenue used to repay those bonds. The tax would automatically expire after 20 years or once the project is fully funded, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million in state funding to the Immigrant Development Center, a nonprofit organization, to support the construction of a cultural mall in Moorhead. The funds will be used to purchase, renovate, and rebuild a building designed to house 75 businesses and create 140 jobs. The appropriation is a one-time grant that covers acquisition costs, demolition, building system upgrades, repairs, and interior improvements. The legislation directs the money specifically for this project and exempts it from certain state spending restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would regulate the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services in Minnesota, primarily affecting licensed mental health professionals and healthcare organizations. It defines specific terms like "therapeutic communication" and "artificial intelligence system" to clarify what activities are covered under the law. The legislation prohibits AI systems from making independent therapeutic decisions, directly interacting with clients during therapy sessions, or generating treatment plans without human review and approval. However, it allows AI to handle administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, and analyzing anonymized client data to track progress. The bill also establishes civil penalties for violations and applies to various licensed professionals including psychologists, social workers, and counselors.