Sen. Judy Seeberger

Maddy summarySF 1758 amends Minnesota Statutes to allow the Minnesota Insurance Guarantee Association's board to formally request financial information from insureds to verify if their net worth exceeds $25 million (as of the prior year's December 31). This specifically affects insureds with high net worth claims related to insolvent insurers, as claims from such insureds may be excluded from coverage. The bill requires the board to notify insureds of consequences for failing to provide requested financial details within 60 days, at which point their net worth is automatically deemed to exceed $25 million. This provision clarifies the process for evaluating large insureds' claims under the Insurance Guarantee Association's coverage rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to fund comprehensive mental health services for youth with serious behavioral challenges through a "high-fidelity wraparound" approach. It provides $ for fiscal years 2026-2027 to counties and community providers to cover start-up costs, ancillary care, and service funding when other payors aren't available. Additionally, it appropriates funds for mental health services in juvenile detention centers, requiring the Department of Corrections to develop a statewide formula for equitable funding distribution to hire staff or contract for treatment. The bill directly affects children/youth in the mental health and juvenile justice systems, as well as county human services agencies and juvenile detention centers.

Maddy summarySF 2931 establishes a grant program to cover tuition and fees for students pursuing law enforcement careers in Minnesota. It directly affects current Minnesota peace officers employed by local or state law enforcement agencies, or the dependent children of such officers (including those who suffered a total and permanent duty disability), who enroll in undergraduate criminal justice or law enforcement programs at Minnesota public colleges or universities. The grant covers 100% of tuition and fees after other financial aid is deducted, paid directly to the educational institution, and requires students to meet standard eligibility criteria like completing the FAFSA and maintaining academic progress. The program aims to support recruitment and retention by reducing education costs for future officers and their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to make it a crime for someone to approach or remain within 25 feet of a firefighter, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, or certain healthcare providers who are providing emergency care, after being verbally warned not to do so and with the intent to interfere. It directly affects first responders and healthcare providers working in emergency situations, as well as individuals who violate this restriction. The key provision requires that the person must know the responder's status, have received a warning, and intend to impede their duties. The law becomes effective August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the chamber's condemnation of President Trump's decision to pardon individuals convicted of violent crimes related to the January 6 insurrection. The measure states that erasing these convictions undermines the justice system and devalues the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers who were injured during the attack. It further directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Governor Tim Walz and rejects any attempts to ignore judicial decisions regarding these cases.

Maddy summarySF 3051 allows individuals involved in traffic collisions (who receive official collision reports under Minnesota law) to access unredacted video or audio recordings from all police body cameras or dashcams used during the investigation. Previously, other people's identities in recordings might have been redacted, but this bill requires full access unless specific exceptions apply. Law enforcement can deny access only if it would interfere with an active investigation, the data is offensive, or it’s classified under other laws. If denied, agencies must provide written reasons and information about seeking court review.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) rules to clarify who must join retirement plans. It requires that the $425 monthly salary threshold for mandatory coverage be set in advance, affects public employees earning above that amount (including elected officials who must now formally elect coverage), and adds a 60-day deadline for filing membership forms. It also clarifies how disability benefits apply to correctional workers in local government retirement plans. These changes apply to all covered public employees and officials starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund for groundwater management area activities in fiscal year 2026. Specifically, $1 million is designated for the Metropolitan Council to develop a comprehensive plan for communities in the White Bear Lake area, as required by prior law. The funding is a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2028, with no new regulatory requirements created. It directly affects the Metropolitan Council and communities in the White Bear Lake area by providing funding for their groundwater planning efforts.

Maddy summarySF 3020 establishes a state-funded program to provide free hearing protection products to Minnesota public safety officers. The bill directly affects peace officers, firefighters, and qualified emergency medical service providers (defined in the bill) by making hearing protection products with a minimum 25-decibel noise reduction rating available at no cost through the Commissioner of Public Safety. The program is funded by a $2 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal year 2026, with products distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Agencies providing these products are protected from liability claims related to defective equipment.

Maddy summarySF 1687 requires Minnesota high schools to maintain at least two doses of opioid reversal medication (like naloxone) on-site for emergency use. It also allows high school students in grades 9-12 to possess and administer this medication to peers if they have written parental permission. Schools must follow a storage and administration plan, and students acting in good faith are protected from liability under the law. This policy directly affects students, parents, and school staff by expanding access to life-saving medication during opioid overdoses.