Sen. Ann Rest

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to make up for missed disparity reduction aid payments to local governments in Fillmore County for the years 2024 and 2025. The funds will be distributed in 2027 to counties, cities, towns, and special taxing districts, with separate amounts allocated to school districts, ensuring that no jurisdiction's tax levy drops below zero. To cover these payments, the legislation cancels unused appropriations from 2025 and adds new funding to the state budget for fiscal year 2028. The bill also instructs state officials to return any unspent money to the general fund by June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 3650 would ban prescription drug manufacturers from advertising their products on television to consumers in Minnesota. The bill defines "television advertisement" to include over-the-air broadcasts and internet streams of those broadcasts, and specifies that the prohibition applies to ads promoting prescription drugs sold directly to consumers. If enacted, the law would require drug manufacturers to stop running such TV ads, with enforcement handled by the attorney general under existing law. The bill is currently in committee review after its introduction in February 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials and equipment used to build Minnesota's Blue Line Extension light rail line and its associated facilities. Under the new rules, contractors and developers purchasing these items will first pay the standard sales tax, which the state will later refund to the governmental entity responsible for the project. The exemption applies to purchases made after June 30, 2026, and includes materials for stations, park-and-ride lots, and maintenance centers. This measure adds the Blue Line Extension to a list of other public infrastructure and community projects that already qualify for this tax refund process.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses in Minnesota tourism improvement districts to pass along service charges to customers, similar to how they currently handle sales tax. It modifies state tax definitions to clarify that these service charges are not included in the sales price for tax purposes, provided they are separately listed on receipts or invoices. The legislation also defines how service charges can be calculated, including options like a percentage of gross revenue or a fixed amount per transaction, and permits businesses to choose whether to collect these charges from purchasers. These changes apply retroactively to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2025, and July 1, 2025, respectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill would reduce the number of members in Minnesota's state legislature, decreasing the Senate from 67 to 45 members and the House of Representatives from 134 to 135 members. The changes would take effect on January 3, 2033, and apply to legislative sessions organized on or after that date. The bill also updates the apportionment rules to reflect the new district counts, with each district continuing to elect one representative or senator. Minnesota Statutes sections 2.021 and 2.031 would be amended to codify these membership changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the annual $5 million deposit limit on Minnesota's consumer protection restitution account, allowing the state to deposit 50% of all recovered consumer enforcement funds into the account without a cap. It also establishes new distribution rules that prioritize consumers with the oldest unpaid compensation claims and limits individual payments to $50,000 for amounts up to that threshold, or 50% of amounts exceeding $50,000. These changes directly affect the Minnesota Attorney General's ability to manage restitution funds and the consumers who receive compensation from recovered monies. The legislation amends existing statutes to modify how recovered funds are deposited and distributed to eligible consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minneapolis uses local sales tax revenue and redefines the geographic boundaries of its downtown taxing area. It requires the state to deposit specific amounts into the city's general fund through 2046 to support bond debt service and sports facility operations, with funds designated for stadium repairs and improvements. Additionally, the bill updates the downtown taxing area map to include new streets while excluding certain zones, with these geographic changes taking effect after September 30, 2026. The legislation directly affects Minneapolis taxpayers and the city's ability to collect and allocate sales tax revenue for public projects.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the state's appreciation for the long-standing partnership between Minnesota and the Province of Québec. It highlights specific achievements such as increased trade, shared environmental goals, and mutual economic investments in sectors like aerospace and aluminum. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal statement of goodwill to be shared with the public and media.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility rules for redevelopment districts in Minnesota, directly affecting local governments and developers seeking tax increment financing. It updates criteria for qualifying areas by requiring 70% of a district's area to have substandard buildings (with 50% needing major renovation) or adding new qualifying conditions like tank facilities over 1 million gallons or disaster areas. The bill repeals outdated "renewal and renovation districts" and shortens duration limits for existing districts. It also clarifies that buildings aren't disqualified from substandard status if repairs cost under 15% of rebuilding a new structure. These changes streamline how communities can designate areas for redevelopment funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes various technical and policy updates to Minnesota's individual income, corporate franchise, and property tax laws. It primarily affects nonresident partners in partnerships, nonresident shareholders in corporations, and beneficiaries of estates or trusts by allowing them to file composite tax returns when they have no other Minnesota source income. The legislation also removes outdated JOBZ provisions and modifies definitions of net income for trusts, estates, and corporations to align with federal tax rules. These changes are designed to simplify tax filing for certain nonresident taxpayers and update obsolete tax code sections.