Sen. Bonnie Westlin

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $32 million in bonds to fund specific infrastructure improvements in Plymouth's City Center area, bounded by Vicksburg Lane and Trunk Highway 55. The funds would support projects including a public parking ramp, reconstruction of Plymouth Boulevard, stormwater management systems, and an expansion of the Plymouth Ice Center with associated road changes. The money would be appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the city of Plymouth via a grant administered by the state's employment and economic development commissioner. The bond sale would follow standard state procedures under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in specific public projects in Plymouth, Minnesota. It directly affects businesses purchasing materials for six named projects: a public parking ramp, Plymouth Boulevard renovation, Plymouth Ice Center expansion, regional stormwater pond, roadway realignment, and Plymouth Community Center expansion, plus renovations to the Zachary Water Treatment Plant and Meadows Playfield. Materials bought between January 2024 and June 2028 qualify for the exemption, meaning businesses pay the tax upfront but get it refunded later through the state. The refunds are processed like other tax exemptions under Minnesota law, with payments starting after June 2025. The exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after December 2023.

Maddy summarySF 786 requires major political parties in Minnesota to officially certify candidates for partisan offices before they can appear on the ballot. To be certified, a candidate must receive at least 30% of the vote at a party convention, and the party chair must submit this certification to the secretary of state by specific deadlines (seven days before filing period for most offices). County auditors and election officials must then verify that a candidate's name appears on the certified list before accepting their ballot filing. This bill directly affects candidates seeking nomination from major parties (like DFL or Republican) for state or congressional offices, while nonpartisan candidates and presidential electors remain unaffected.

Maddy summarySF 398 would establish a new special license plate design for Jewish war veterans in Minnesota. The bill amends state law to add a specific plate category requiring the inscription "JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF AMERICA" and a designated emblem. This plate would be available to veterans who served in the U.S. military during wartime and are already eligible for other veteran license plates under existing law. The provision is part of Minnesota's broader program offering specialty plates for various veteran groups, with no new eligibility requirements beyond current veteran status.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to support the Minnesota Family Assets for Independence initiative. The funds will be administered by the commissioner of children, youth, and families for the program's ongoing operations. The appropriation is specifically designated for the initiative as outlined in state law (section 142F.20). This bill provides dedicated funding without altering the program's existing structure or requirements.

Maddy summarySF 364 appropriates $450,000 annually (2026-2027) to fund evidence-based literacy interventions for students reading below grade level in Minnesota public schools where most students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The grant supports tutor training, materials, program delivery, and administration through the Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota. The Institute must submit annual reports to education committees by January 15, detailing fund usage and student literacy progress until 2028. This bill directly affects low-income public school students and requires specific reporting to ensure accountability for the state funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for landlords in Minnesota who use shared meters to bill tenants for electricity and natural gas in residential buildings. It requires that all submeters installed on or after January 1, 2025, meet specific accuracy standards set by the American National Standards Institute. The law also mandates that landlords must investigate tenant complaints about inaccurate meters and refund any overcharges, while allowing landlords to collect undercharges only for the previous six months. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants for the costs of installing, maintaining, or repairing these meters unless the damage was caused by the tenant's willful or negligent actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates the Michael Gau Memorial Bridge over U.S. Highway 169 in Plymouth, Minnesota. It requires the state transportation commissioner to create a suitable design and install signs to mark the bridge with this new name. The change updates Minnesota statutes to reflect the official title of the structure, which is located on Hennepin County State-Aid Highway 9.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota law updates family court rules to ensure unmarried parents are treated the same as married couples when determining child custody and parenting time. The bill mandates that courts prioritize scheduling expedited hearings within 30 days if a parent is denied access to their child for 14 consecutive days or faces financial hardship during a legal dispute. It also establishes new rights and responsibilities regarding assisted reproduction and directs the state to modernize legal terminology used in family law statutes. These changes aim to support children's relationships with both parents while providing faster relief for urgent situations involving access or support.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's human rights law to explicitly include gender identity and familial status as protected categories in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It expands the legal definition of disability to cover episodic conditions and clarifies that harassment constitutes discrimination based on sex. The legislation also strengthens enforcement mechanisms by extending the deadline for filing civil lawsuits to 90 days, allowing for tolling of time limits during mediation, and permitting the state to seek civil penalties and punitive damages against violators. Additionally, the bill clarifies protections for individuals with disabilities who use service animals in public places and outlines specific remedies for victims of discrimination in employment and housing.