Sen. Ann Rest

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's sales tax exemption to include firearm safety devices (like trigger locks) and secure firearm storage units (locked containers sold by licensed dealers). It directly affects gun owners purchasing these items, as they will no longer pay sales tax on them, and sellers of these products. The bill also prohibits sellers from collecting or sharing personal data about buyers of exempt items, treating such information as private data under existing law. The changes take effect for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $853,000 in bonds to fund capital improvements at New Hope Golf Course. The funds will be granted to the City of New Hope for specific projects, including replacing the irrigation system, reconstructing cart paths, and building a new equipment storage facility. The appropriation comes from the bond proceeds fund, with bonds sold under Minnesota's bond laws. The bill directly affects the City of New Hope and the golf course's physical infrastructure through these targeted capital upgrades.

Maddy summarySF 85 authorizes the City of Brooklyn Center to establish up to two tax increment financing (TIF) districts within a specific area called the "Opportunity Site," bounded by Shingle Creek Parkway, Summit Drive North, Trunk Highway 100, and Hennepin County State-Aid Highway 10. The bill provides special rules exempting these districts from standard TIF requirements, specifically by considering them to meet state law criteria (Minnesota Statutes 469.174, subd. 10) and removing the application of another provision (469.176, subd. 4j). This directly affects Brooklyn Center’s ability to fund economic development projects in the Opportunity Site through TIF, which uses future property tax growth to finance current improvements. The authority to create these TIF districts expires on December 31, 2031.

Maddy summarySF 878 exempts the retail delivery of liquid fuels (such as gasoline or diesel) from Minnesota's retail delivery fee. This bill directly affects fuel retailers who deliver liquid fuels to customers, removing a fee they previously paid on these transactions. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes § 168E.05, subdivision 1, by adding "a retail delivery of fuel products" as a specific exemption (item 3). This change clarifies that fuel delivery services are now explicitly excluded from the fee, aligning with the definition of "fuel products" added in § 168E.01. The bill makes a concrete policy change to the fee structure without altering tax obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the City of Eden Prairie to establish up to two tax increment financing (TIF) districts in a specific area bounded by Flying Cloud Drive, West 78th Street, and Prairie Center Drive. It waives two standard TIF requirements: it deems these districts compliant with general TIF rules (Minn. Stat. § 469.174, subd. 10) and exempts them from a specific provision about district boundaries (Minn. Stat. § 469.176, subd. 4j). The authorization expires December 31, 2026, and applies only to Eden Prairie's development plans within the defined area. Property owners in these districts would see future tax revenue allocated to funded projects under this special rule.

Maddy summarySF 824 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission that would redraw Minnesota's congressional and legislative district boundaries after each federal census. The commission would consist of eight members appointed equally by party leaders in both the House and Senate, requiring six votes (including at least one from each appointing group) to approve a plan. This would replace the current process where the legislature draws district lines, aiming to reduce partisan influence in redistricting. If approved by voters in 2026, the commission would first act after the 2030 census to set boundaries for the 2032 elections.

Maddy summarySF 345 creates a sales and use tax exemption for nonprofit organizations in Minnesota focused on preserving bird habitats. It directly affects 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose primary work involves developing, preserving, restoring, or maintaining waterfowl, pheasant, or quail habitats in the state. The exemption covers purchases of items used for these habitat activities, excluding construction materials, lodging, food, and vehicle leases. This policy change takes effect for sales after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the city of Plymouth to establish up to two tax increment financing (TIF) districts within its city center district (as defined in the 2024 zoning map). It modifies standard TIF rules by automatically meeting certain requirements, exempting the districts from a specific state rule, and extending two key time periods: the initial planning period from five to ten years and the post-expiration use period from five to eleven years. The bill directly affects Plymouth's local government and future redevelopment projects in the designated city center area. The authority to create these districts expires December 31, 2031.

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.