Sen. John Marty

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 3229, creates collective bargaining rights for transportation network company (TNC) drivers in Minnesota, such as Uber and Lyft drivers. It establishes a process for drivers to form or join labor organizations, which must be certified by the Bureau of Mediation Services as their "exclusive representative" to negotiate terms and conditions of work. The bill defines key terms like "active driver" (based on ride volume) and prohibits TNCs from controlling or dominating "company unions" (e.g., driver groups created by the company itself). It directly affects TNC drivers and requires TNCs to negotiate in good faith with certified representatives over issues like pay, scheduling, and grievance procedures. The bill does not mandate unionization but provides a legal framework for drivers to collectively bargain.

Maddy summarySF 1063 creates a new Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsperson within Minnesota's Department of Commerce. The ombudsperson, appointed by the governor, helps resolve disputes between unit owners (e.g., condo or townhome residents) and their community associations. Key duties include compiling complaints, providing dispute resolution services, publishing resources about rights under Minnesota law, and maintaining a public website with relevant information. The bill also appropriates funds for the office's operations starting in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers or associations from retaliating against employees or members by threatening job loss, wage cuts, or other economic penalties because they refused to discuss government actions with officials. It directly affects workers and organizations who may face pressure to engage with public officials about legislative or administrative matters. The law clarifies that this protection does not apply to jobs where political affiliation is a legitimate job requirement. Violations are punishable as gross misdemeanors under Minnesota Statutes §10A.36.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies governance requirements for Minnesota charter schools. It requires charter school boards to include at least one licensed teacher, one parent/guardian of a student (not an employee), and one community member (who can't be an employee or have a child at the school). The bill also mandates that all charter school board members and chief administrators file economic interest statements within 60 days of taking office (or 14 days before board elections) and subjects them to the same public gift ban rules as other government officials. These changes apply directly to charter school leadership and governance structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $15 million from regional transportation tax proceeds to the University of Minnesota for replacing suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge in Minneapolis. The funds must be used to design and construct new pedestrian enclosure and deterrent barriers, with requirements to consult suicide prevention organizations and experts during planning. It directly affects the University of Minnesota (as the grant recipient) and bridge users, particularly those at risk of self-harm. The provision modifies standard transportation fund allocation rules to prioritize this specific safety project.

Maddy summarySF 3083 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Agriculture to update the state's pesticide management plan to include pesticides from treated seeds and their breakdown products in groundwater and surface water monitoring. The bill mandates new labeling for certain pesticide-treated seeds, establishes a program for systemic pesticides (pesticides absorbed by plants and spread through plant tissue), and broadens coordination to include local governments and public health agencies in plan development. It also adds requirements for monitoring pesticide contamination in air quality and increases penalties for pesticide damage to state outdoor recreation lands. The bill appropriates funds to support these new monitoring, labeling, and program requirements.

Maddy summarySF 3064 repeals Minnesota Statutes section 16B.98, subdivision 14, which allowed state agencies to retain up to 5% of formula grant funds or up to 10% of competitively awarded grant funds for administrative costs. This bill directly affects state agencies that manage federal or state grant programs, requiring them to spend all grant funds on program activities rather than administrative expenses. The repeal eliminates this specific authority for new grant programs enacted on or after July 1, 2023, and applies to all other grant programs managed by state agencies. It removes a longstanding provision that permitted agencies to use a portion of grant funds for overhead costs.

Maddy summarySF 828 establishes a working group to examine whether local campaign finance reports for county, city, school district, and township candidates should be filed with the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board instead of local officials. The group, composed of state board members, local government representatives, and legislative leaders, must study filing logistics, current local support capabilities, reporting requirements, and budget impacts, then submit recommendations by January 15, 2026. The bill appropriates funds from the general fund to cover the group's administrative costs through June 2026. This procedural bill focuses on studying potential changes to reporting systems without altering current campaign finance laws.

Maddy summarySF 2386 provides $50,000 in state funds for transition expenses for Minnesota's newly elected secretary of state, state auditor, and attorney general who have won general elections but have not yet taken office. The funds, transferred from the general contingent account, cover necessary costs like office space, technology, temporary staff, and consulting services to prepare for assuming their roles. Officials must use the funds before their inauguration date, and any unused funds must be returned to the general fund by March 31 of the inauguration year. The bill specifies that expenses must be reasonable and determined by the incoming official, with the Department of Management and Budget administering the funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's regulations for commercial dog and cat breeders and animal dealers. It requires the Board of Animal Health to publicly post more information online, including lists of licensed kennels/dealers (with business names and animal counts), inspection records from the past five years, and details on expired or revoked licenses. It also updates advertising rules to mandate that all sales ads include a current license number or a link to it. These changes directly affect commercial breeders, kennels, and dealers who must now comply with new transparency requirements. The bill aims to increase public access to licensing and inspection data while updating advertising standards.