Sen. Ann Rest

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school resource officers (SROs) who volunteer their services without pay to reduce their Minnesota state income tax. It creates a tax subtraction equal to the number of volunteer hours multiplied by the hourly wage a paid SRO would earn, based on IRS-reported rates. To claim this, volunteers must provide documentation from their school confirming hours worked and the applicable wage rate. The policy directly affects unpaid SRO volunteers and the schools that verify their service. It takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 3804 modifies Minnesota's data protection rules for property tax assessments, specifically clarifying that sensitive financial data (like income figures, vacancy rates, and lease information) classified as private under state law can still be accessed in legal proceedings. The bill requires Tax Court to issue protective orders preventing public disclosure or misuse of this data during tax disputes, ensuring it's only used for the specific legal case. It directly affects property owners (whose data is protected), Tax Court proceedings, and legal parties involved in property tax challenges. The key change removes barriers to using this data in court while adding safeguards to maintain confidentiality.

Maddy summarySF 4013 appropriates $250,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the city of Hermantown for preserving and renovating the historic home, museum, and park of former state representative Mary Murphy. The funding, designated for fiscal year 2027, directly supports Hermantown's efforts to maintain this cultural site. This is a procedural appropriation bill focused solely on allocating funds for preservation, not creating new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $15 million in bonds to fund water main improvements in the city of Crystal along Douglas Drive. The funds will be used to replace aging water infrastructure and upgrade associated streets, sidewalks, and storm sewers between Medicine Lake Road and West Broadway. The money will be provided through a grant to the city from the state's bond proceeds fund, managed by the Public Facilities Authority. Once enacted, the state will begin the process of selling these bonds to raise the necessary capital for the project.

Maddy summarySF 3903 would have required Minnesota's Department of Public Safety to provide race and ethnicity data to the judicial branch specifically for compiling jury source lists, modifying existing statutes (13.69 and 270B.14). The bill would have mandated that this data, along with basic personal details like name, date of birth, and address, be shared with courts to build jury pools. This bill was introduced on February 26, 2026, but withdrawn and returned to the author on March 4, 2026, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax refund claim filing deadline. It changes the standard time limit from 3.5 years to 2 years after paying state taxes to file for a refund, replacing the previous 3.5-year window. Taxpayers who miss the 2-year deadline cannot claim refunds for taxes paid more than two years prior. The bill also specifies that refund amounts are limited to taxes paid within the relevant time period (2 years for late claims), and clarifies how prepayments and return filing dates are counted. It applies to all state tax refund claims filed on or after its effective date.

Maddy summarySF 3589 extends the expiration date for Hennepin and Ramsey Counties' deed and mortgage taxes from 2028 to 2036. This means property transactions involving deeds or mortgages in these counties will continue to be subject to these local taxes beyond the original 2028 deadline. The extension applies to all deeds and mortgages acknowledged on or after July 1, 2026, ensuring the tax authority remains in effect through 2036.

Maddy summarySF 1204 requires dental insurance organizations in Minnesota to pay out at least 85% of premiums as claims (a "loss ratio" of 85%). If they fail to meet this, they must provide rebates or improved benefits to policyholders. Dental organizations must annually report their loss ratios and financial details to the Commerce Department by March 1, starting in 2027, with the data published online for public comparison. This directly affects dental insurers and their enrollees (policyholders) by increasing accountability for how premiums are used. The bill takes effect between 2026 and 2028, depending on the provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7 million from Minnesota's general fund for a one-time grant to the city of Chaska through Explore Minnesota. The funding is intended to attract and cover costs for hosting a package of future PGA of America championship events, including at least one men's and one women's tournament. It does not create new regulations or alter existing laws, but provides specific financial support for economic development tied to these sporting events. The grant is available until June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 3966 appropriates $100 million from state bond proceeds to fund the University of Minnesota's Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) program. The bill authorizes the state to sell up to $100 million in bonds to cover this funding, directly affecting the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, which will manage the infrastructure projects. Key provisions include using bond funds for preserving and replacing campus assets under Minnesota Statutes §135A.046, with the bond sale following state bond procedures. This is a funding mechanism for campus infrastructure upgrades, not a new policy affecting broader public programs.