Sen. Ann Rest

Maddy summarySF 1316 prohibits Minnesota state legislators from receiving per diem payments during regular legislative sessions, which directly affects all elected members of the Minnesota Legislature. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.099, by adding a specific provision (subdivision 1(c)) stating members "are prohibited from receiving per diem payments during a regular session." It also clarifies that legislators may only receive certain specified compensation types, such as salary, insurance contributions, and retirement plan contributions, excluding per diem during regular sessions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes to modify mining restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) and Rainy River headwaters. It maintains a general prohibition on mining in the BWCA but adds a specific exception: mining for taconite, iron ore, sand, gravel, or granite may proceed on state lands in the Rainy River headwaters if the commissioner of natural resources determines it won't harm the BWCA. The bill requires the commissioner to investigate alternatives before approving such mining and mandates legislative approval for permits in these cases. It directly affects state land management decisions and mining operations in these specific regions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts fiber optic cables and underground conduits purchased or leased by broadband providers for building infrastructure used to deliver internet services to end users. It directly affects broadband and internet service providers in Minnesota by removing sales and use taxes on these specific materials. The exemption applies to fiber and conduit used primarily in providing retail broadband services, as defined in the new tax code section. The provision takes effect for purchases made after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual state funding for soil and water conservation districts from $12 million to $20 million starting in 2025. It directly affects local conservation districts across Minnesota that manage programs for soil erosion control, water quality, and sustainable land use. The change modifies Minnesota Statutes § 477A.23, subdivision 6, to adjust the annual appropriation amount from the state general fund. The funding increase applies to payments for 2025 and future years, effective upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain health-related purchases from state sales tax. It creates two new tax exemptions: (1) for "health care materials" like single-use medical supplies prescribed by a physician (e.g., bandages, syringes), and (2) for other items purchased through private health plans that aren't already covered by existing exemptions. The exemption applies to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2025, directly affecting health plans (both public and private) and businesses selling these medical supplies. This change simplifies tax treatment for essential health products without altering coverage or costs for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in renovating Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Contractors and subcontractors purchasing eligible materials between July 1, 2023, and January 1, 2028, will pay the standard sales tax upfront but receive a refund from the state. The exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after June 30, 2023, with refunds unavailable before July 1, 2025. The state will fund these refunds using general fund appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's motor vehicle sales tax exemptions to add 12 new categories of exempt purchases. It specifically exempts vehicles used by veterans with total service-connected disabilities (section 16), mobile medical units operated by federally qualified health centers (section 15), vehicles in job opportunity building zones (section 13), lease-to-own purchases from 501(c)(3) charities (section 14), and certain nonprofit educational vehicles (section 6). These changes directly affect veterans, healthcare providers, businesses in designated zones, and charitable organizations. The bill modifies existing law without removing current exemptions, focusing solely on expanding who qualifies for tax relief on vehicle purchases.

Maddy summarySF 65 authorizes special tax increment financing (TIF) rules for Maple Grove, Minnesota, specifically for areas with challenging soil conditions. It creates "soil deficiency districts" where the city can use TIF to fund infrastructure preparation (like filling or grading) when soil issues impair development and the preparation cost exceeds the land's pre-preparation value. This applies to parcels making up at least 80% of a project area (excluding streets/rail rights-of-way) with conditions like peat soils or terrain requiring substantial filling for commercial use. The bill amends existing TIF laws to allow Maple Grove to utilize this special funding mechanism for qualifying land development projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6.3 million from state bond proceeds to fund Phase II of a new fire station in Golden Valley, Minnesota. The funds will cover construction, equipment, and site improvements for a facility designed to support regional fire response and training. The state will issue up to $6.3 million in bonds to provide this funding, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This appropriation is separate from prior funding authorized in 2023 for the same project.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Revenue to create an online system for taxpayers to claim refunds on political contributions. It directly affects individuals who contribute $10+ to candidates or parties (eligible for up to $75 individually or $150 for couples) and political organizations that must issue electronic refund receipts. Key provisions include mandating unique receipt validation numbers, enabling secure electronic data sharing between the Campaign Finance Board and Revenue Department, and classifying receipt data as nonpublic. The system becomes effective January 2027, with civil penalties of up to $3,000 for improper receipt issuance.