Sen. Tou Xiong

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota natural gas utilities to issue "extraordinary event bonds" to cover significant costs from major disasters or unexpected events like storms, cyberattacks, or sudden gas price spikes. Utilities would recover these costs through a new, separate nonbypassable charge added to all customers' bills (excluding small users served by utilities with fewer than 350,000 customers), not included in regular rates. The bonds must be rated AA or higher, mature within 30 years, and repayment is tied specifically to the approved disaster-related costs, with oversight by the Public Utilities Commission.

Maddy summarySF 1071 would allow Minnesota local governments (like cities and counties) to choose ranked choice voting for their local elections. The bill creates procedures for jurisdictions to adopt the system, including rules for counting votes where voters rank candidates by preference instead of selecting just one. It specifies that if a voter ranks multiple candidates equally or ranks more than one at the same position, that vote is handled as a partial defect. This bill does not require any jurisdiction to adopt ranked choice voting, only permits them to do so if they choose, and applies only to local elections, not state or federal races.

Maddy summarySF 1400 appropriates $1.6 million for fiscal year 2026 and another $1.6 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to Ramsey County. The funding is specifically for the ongoing operation of Ramsey County's existing youth mental health urgency room, established under 2022 law. This bill directly affects youth in Ramsey County requiring immediate mental health crisis care by ensuring continued funding for this dedicated facility. It does not create new policy but provides dedicated annual funding for an existing service.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to fund lead risk assessments for children with elevated blood lead levels. The funds are split equally ($250,000 each) to the Minneapolis Health Department and the St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department. The money must be used solely for conducting these assessments under Minnesota Statutes §144.9504, with no funds allowed for administrative costs. This directly affects children in Minneapolis and St. Paul-Ramsey County who have been identified with elevated blood lead levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives residential tenants in Minnesota the right to host a youth (25 years or younger) for up to 60 days without landlord retaliation. Tenants must notify landlords within 7 days of the youth's arrival, providing basic details like the youth's name and age. Landlords cannot evict tenants, raise rent, or require the youth to sign a lease during this 60-day period. Tenants remain responsible for all standard rental obligations, including rent payments and property damage. The bill also requires courts to dismiss eviction cases filed in violation of these rules and holds landlords liable for damages.

Maddy summarySF 931 establishes the Minnesota Health Plan, a state-run program guaranteeing health coverage for all Minnesota residents. It requires the plan to cover all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescription services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. The bill creates a Minnesota Health Board to manage the plan, a Health Fund for financing, and new oversight roles like a patient advocate ombudsman. All residents automatically qualify, with specific rules for temporary out-of-state residents, visitors, and nonresident workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1161) modifies how Minnesota calculates general assistance payments for recipients living in licensed residential facilities (excluding homeless shelters). It establishes two specific payment standards: 70% of the general assistance standard for those in facilities covered under housing assistance rules, or the personal needs allowance used for medical assistance recipients in other licensed facilities. The change directly affects individuals receiving general assistance who reside in such facilities. The amendment modifies Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.01, subdivision 1b.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates specific funds from Minnesota's renewable development account for a grant to Recycling and Energy and Dem-Con HZI Bioenergy, LLC. The funds will support constructing an anaerobic digestor energy system in Louisville Township, which converts diverted food and organic waste into renewable natural gas and biochar. The project directly affects these two organizations as the grant recipients and the local community through waste processing. The key mechanism is state funding for a specific facility, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summarySF 969 requires sellers of Minnesota agricultural or rural property (classified as tax class 2a or 2b) to disclose the location and status of subsurface drain tile systems to buyers before closing. Sellers must provide either a written statement confirming no drain tile is known to exist or a detailed disclosure including legal descriptions, maps showing tile location/diameter/outlets, and drainage paths. The disclosure must be included in the deed or accompanied by a certificate, with a $50 fee paid to the county recorder. The county must forward copies to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, effective January 1, 2026. This directly affects real estate transactions involving farmland or similar properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for the preliminary design of a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of Trunk Highway 36 and Trunk Highway 120 in North St. Paul and Oakdale. The funds are specifically for planning work, not construction, and are one-time only. The project will be managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. This funding directly affects the cities of North St. Paul and Oakdale by advancing plans for a new highway interchange at that location.