Sen. John Marty

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year moratorium on issuing permits for new data centers in Minnesota, preventing state and local governments from approving such projects until a comprehensive report is completed. The Public Utility Commission must submit this report by July 1, 2027, or January 1, 2028 if extended, which will assess energy, water, and materials usage, environmental impacts, economic effects, and suitable locations for data centers. The report must also analyze impacts on Tribal Nations, include public feedback, and be prepared by an independent contractor with no conflicts of interest. The bill directly affects data center developers, local governments, and the Public Utility Commission, requiring them to wait for the report before approving new facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires residential common interest communities and similar associations in Minnesota to register annually with the Department of Commerce. The registration process mandates submission of detailed information including the organization's legal name, contact details, board officer information, governing documents, and financial data from annual budgets. For communities controlled by a master developer, the bill also requires disclosure of the developer's details and timeline for transferring control to owners, while property management companies must provide their contract obligations. Each community must pay a $55 annual registration fee, and the Department of Commerce must notify associations that fail to register, giving them 60 days to comply.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill requires the state health commissioner to prepare and submit a report by January 15, 2027, examining the health effects of lead-containing bullets that remain inside people's bodies. The report must analyze existing scientific research, review current state laws addressing lead exposure from retained bullets, and offer recommendations for reducing public health risks. The document will specifically focus on how retained bullets affect the mental, emotional, and physical development of children and youth. Once completed, the commissioner will send the report to relevant legislative health committee leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies and the supreme court to share certain data with the Legislative Budget Office when requested, including information that is not normally public. The data must be provided promptly to help the office review the accuracy of fiscal notes on legislation and prepare new fiscal notes. The bill restricts how this non-public data can be used, allowing it only for fiscal note review and prohibiting its use or sharing with legislators or other government entities. It also establishes that the Legislative Budget Office cannot be charged for receiving this data and includes penalties for staff who misuse the information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to publicly release all unredacted "initial Optum reports" produced by Optum, Inc. under contract with the Department of Human Services. It directly affects the Commissioner's office and the public, mandating full transparency without edits (except for limited redactions requested by Optum to protect proprietary information). The key provision eliminates redactions from these reports, which were previously announced in a February 2026 department news release. This policy change aims to increase public access to the initial reports without withholding non-proprietary content.

Maddy summarySF 2533 prohibits "stay-or-pay" provisions in Minnesota employment contracts, which require workers to pay back costs (like training fees) if they leave before a set period. The bill bans employers from requiring these clauses as a condition of hiring, enforcing them, or threatening to enforce them against employees. Violations carry fines of $1,000-$5,000 per incident, and affected workers can sue for damages including $5,000 per violation plus legal fees. The law applies to contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting employers and employees across Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 3851 amends Minnesota law to allow courts to delay eviction notices (writs of recovery) for up to 15 days in most tenant-landlord disputes, giving tenants additional time to respond before being required to vacate. This applies to standard eviction cases not involving safety threats, nuisance behavior, or violations under specific statutes (like section 504B.171). The bill explicitly excludes cases with default judgments and maintains priority for evictions related to immediate safety risks or property damage. It takes effect August 1, 2026, for all pending cases on or after that date. The change extends the previous 7-day stay period to 15 days for qualifying cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal pathway for individuals in Minnesota to sue when their civil rights are violated by officials acting under state or federal authority (e.g., police or government employees). It allows victims to seek damages, attorney fees, and other relief for deprivations of rights protected by the U.S. or Minnesota Constitutions, with a six-year statute of limitations. Additionally, it requires state/local law enforcement agencies to obtain written agreements from federal partners ensuring federal officers abide by constitutional standards and can be held liable under this new law. The provisions apply to all pending or future civil cases filed after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summarySF 3831 clarifies that earned wage access payday loans are explicitly included within Minnesota's definitions of consumer small and short-term loans. This means lenders offering these loans must now comply with the same licensing requirements, fee limits, and registration rules that apply to other small and short-term lenders. The bill affects all businesses providing earned wage access services to Minnesota residents, including online or mobile app-based lenders without a physical Minnesota location. This clarification ensures these loans are subject to the same consumer protections, such as annual percentage rate calculations and restrictions on non-interest fees.

Maddy summarySF 1204 requires dental insurance organizations in Minnesota to pay out at least 85% of premiums as claims (a "loss ratio" of 85%). If they fail to meet this, they must provide rebates or improved benefits to policyholders. Dental organizations must annually report their loss ratios and financial details to the Commerce Department by March 1, starting in 2027, with the data published online for public comparison. This directly affects dental insurers and their enrollees (policyholders) by increasing accountability for how premiums are used. The bill takes effect between 2026 and 2028, depending on the provision.