Sen. Rob Kupec

Maddy summaryThis bill makes three key changes: (1) It lowers the property tax increase threshold for homeowners from 12% to 8% to qualify for a refund and raises the maximum refund from $1,000 to $1,500, effective for 2026 claims; (2) It creates a new monthly tax on social media companies collecting data from Minnesota users, with rates starting at $0.10 per user for 100,001-500,000 users and increasing to $0.50 per user for over 1 million users; (3) It establishes one-time public safety funding for local and tribal governments, requiring a report on the allocation of these funds. The changes directly affect Minnesota homeowners, social media businesses with significant Minnesota user bases, and local government entities.

Maddy summarySF 4041 appropriates $225 million in state bond proceeds to fund clean water infrastructure projects across Minnesota. It directly affects municipalities by providing grants for emerging contaminants cleanup ($22 million), matching federal water infrastructure loans ($19 million), municipal water system upgrades ($60 million), and point source pollution control ($124 million). The bill authorizes the state to sell general obligation bonds to raise this funding, with specific allocation requirements for qualified capital projects. This legislation enables local communities to improve drinking water safety and wastewater treatment systems through dedicated state financial support.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds occupational therapy services to the list of eligible services funded under Minnesota's children's mental health grants. It specifically allows grants to cover occupational therapy services for children with emotional disturbances, as defined in state law. The key mechanism is amending statutes to include "occupational therapy services" (defined as behavioral health services provided by licensed occupational therapists) under grant-eligible services for children's mental health programs. This directly affects children with emotional disturbances receiving mental health support, occupational therapists providing these services, and mental health service providers applying for these grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Transportation to apply for federal funding to develop two passenger rail corridors: one extending from St. Paul to Fargo, North Dakota, and another from St. Paul to Kansas City, Missouri (with stops in Northfield, Albert Lea, and Des Moines, Iowa). It appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to cover application costs, planning, environmental analysis, and matching federal grants for these routes. The funds are specifically for Phase I corridor planning under Minnesota's 2015 rail plan and must be used for state share of project costs. The bill directly affects Minnesota's transportation department and communities along the proposed rail routes.

Maddy summarySF 3917 appropriates $35 million from state bonds to fund flood hazard mitigation projects in Minnesota's Red River Basin. The funds directly support three watershed districts: $13.7 million for the Bois de Sioux Watershed District's Mustinka River project, $17.25 million for the Two Rivers Watershed District's Klondike Clean Water Retention Project, and $4 million for the Roseau River Watershed District's Roseau Lake Rehabilitation. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover these costs, with projects eligible for up to 75% state funding under specific agreements. This funding is intended to prevent flood damage and enhance natural resources through publicly owned infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides free fishing, deer hunting, and small game hunting licenses to Minnesota residents aged 65 or older. It amends state law to require license issuers to provide without fee: a permanent fishing license, and annual licenses for deer (using firearms or archery) and small game. Residents can use a valid driver's license or Minnesota ID as proof of age and residency at any license agent location. The bill directly affects eligible seniors by removing costs for these recreational hunting and fishing licenses. It is a straightforward policy change with no additional fees or complex requirements for affected residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $84 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new campus center at the University of Minnesota Saint Paul campus. The funds will cover predesign, construction, renovation, and related infrastructure work, including site preparation and utility upgrades. The University of Minnesota must cover the remaining one-third of project costs using its own resources. The state will issue bonds up to $84 million to provide this funding, as authorized under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Minnesota's agriculture special license plates to include "farm trucks" in addition to existing vehicle types like passenger cars, one-ton pickup trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. It directly affects Minnesota farmers who operate farm trucks by allowing them to display these plates, which require a $20 annual contribution to the Minnesota agriculture account. The key change modifies statute 168.1285 to add "farm truck" to the list of qualifying vehicles under the plate issuance rules. All other requirements - such as registration fees, tax payments, and the $20 annual contribution - remain unchanged. The bill does not alter the plate design, fees, or funding mechanisms, only broadening the vehicle classes eligible for the special plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's property tax exclusion for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It increases the exclusion amount to $300,000 for veterans with 100% permanent disability (up from $150,000) and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments starting in 2027, using the Bureau of Economic Analysis deflator. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans or service members who died in active duty can now retain the full $300,000 exclusion indefinitely - until remarriage, sale, or transfer of the property - without needing reapplication. The changes directly affect veterans with 70%+ disability, their primary family caregivers, and surviving spouses of veterans or service members who died in service.

Maddy summarySF 1197 creates a new funding mechanism to help Minnesota school districts that experience reduced property tax revenue due to seasonal fluctuations in property values. It directly affects districts with significant "seasonal market value" properties (classified as class 4c(12) under state law, like vacation homes). The bill establishes a "seasonal tax base replacement aid" calculation: districts receive aid equal to (1 - seasonal adjustment factor) multiplied by their referendum levy. The adjustment factor is based on the ratio of seasonal market value to total market value, capped between 0.5 and 1.0, to reduce the district's required referendum levy without dropping below zero. This aid is funded through appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.