Sen. Judy Seeberger

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for peer-to-peer car sharing in Minnesota by defining key terms and clarifying regulatory status. It specifies that peer-to-peer car sharing - where vehicle owners rent their cars to others through a platform - is not considered a "lease or rental" under Minnesota law for vehicles (passenger cars, vans, or pickup trucks) used for 28 days or less. The bill directly affects vehicle owners who share their cars via platforms and drivers who use these services, distinguishing this model from traditional rental companies. It amends insurance and vehicle regulations to ensure these arrangements fall outside standard rental/lease licensing requirements.

Maddy summarySF 2105 requires commercial websites that display "material harmful to minors" on 25% or more of their pages in a month to verify users are 18+ using approved methods (like commercial databases). It prohibits websites from retaining personal data after age verification and bans them from allowing access without verification. Violations can trigger civil lawsuits by parents of minors or the attorney general, with fines up to $25,000 per incident. The bill directly affects commercial websites meeting the content threshold, not general internet users or platforms without such material.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's earned sick and safe time laws (Minnesota Statutes sections 181.9445-181.9448) to clarify employer definitions and adjust key provisions. It specifies that employers with 15+ employees (including nonprofits, government entities, and staffing agencies) must provide at least 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours worked (capped at 48 hours yearly). Employers may either allow unused time to carry over (up to 80 hours total) or pay out unused time at year-end, with options for prorated initial employment time. The bill also updates notice requirements, allowing up to seven days' advance notice for foreseeable absences and mandating written policies for employees.

Maddy summarySF 3443 creates an independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to oversee state agencies for fraud and misuse of public resources. The bill requires the legislative auditor to refer all public reports of potential fraud or misuse to the OIG, which will investigate these issues without interference from executive agencies. The Inspector General must operate independently, reporting directly to the chief administrative law judge, and will have specific qualifications including a relevant degree, 10 years of experience, and professional certification. The bill appropriates funding for the OIG and takes effect January 1, 2026, impacting all state agencies administering programs or using public funds.

Maddy summarySF 1346 requires companies with permits to harvest or destroy aquatic plants in Minnesota's public waters to follow new safety rules when using scuba diving equipment. It mandates annual third-party hazard surveys by qualified safety professionals, requires divers to hold nationally certified training, and blocks permits for businesses with recent scuba-related safety violations. The bill directly affects commercial aquatic plant management companies operating in Minnesota, adding safety documentation and certification requirements to their permit process. These provisions aim to reduce diving-related injuries by ensuring proper equipment, training, and risk assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's maximum interest rate for certain loans and contracts for deed. It sets the cap at the Federal National Mortgage Association's 30-year mortgage yield (as published in the Wall Street Journal) plus four percentage points, rather than using previous formulas. The change directly affects borrowers and lenders involved in conventional loans, cooperative apartment loans, and contracts for deed for specific real estate purchases. The bill also includes separate provisions about insurer capital calculations and liquidity stress testing, but the primary focus is on updating the interest rate cap mechanism.

Maddy summarySF 2457 amends Minnesota's insurance laws to authorize the commissioner of commerce to issue data calls to insurance companies for regulatory oversight, requiring companies to provide specific data within a reasonable timeframe. It classifies all data submitted in response to these calls as "nonpublic" (not subject to public disclosure or subpoena), though the commissioner may create public summaries from the data. The bill also establishes a new regulatory framework for limited long-term care insurance and modifies provisions related to automobile insurance. Additionally, it permits the commissioner to share nonpublic data with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) if the NAIC agrees to maintain it as nonpublic.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of neglected boats on Minnesota waters or adjacent property to remove or fix them within 14 days after receiving a notice. If owners fail to act, they face criminal misdemeanor charges, civil penalties (2-5 times removal costs), and lose fishing/watercraft licenses until costs are paid. The state can seize and dispose of boats deemed abandoned after the 14-day period, with officials required to notify owners first. It directly affects boat owners who leave vessels inoperable, stranded, or unattended near public waters.

Maddy summarySF 3275 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a Stillwater-based nonprofit. The bill funds outdoor recreational activities and mental health services specifically for currently serving military personnel and veterans. This grant aims to improve mental health, promote longevity, and support community interactions through organized outdoor programs. The funding is allocated to a single nonprofit organization to deliver these services, with no new state laws created.

Maddy summarySF 3281 regulates "earned wage access services" that allow Minnesota workers to access a portion of their earned but unpaid wages before their regular payday through third-party providers. The bill directly affects Minnesota residents who use these services and the companies providing them (like apps or payroll services), excluding traditional payroll providers and employer-provided early pay. Key provisions require providers to clearly disclose all fees, offer a no-cost access option, explain consumer rights upfront, allow easy cancellation without fees, and ensure tips are truly voluntary - never tied to service access. The law also mandates transparency about repayment terms and compliance with privacy laws. This bill focuses on consumer protections for a growing financial service, not on changing how employers pay wages.