Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart

Maddy summarySF 3279 requires transportation authorities to appoint business liaisons for highway projects expected to cause "substantial business impacts" (like access, parking, or visibility issues lasting at least one month) and develop communication plans. It creates a new financial assistance program to help businesses suffering "extensive business impacts" (impacts lasting 60+ days) from certain highway projects in cities or counties. The program, administered by the commissioner, provides timely financial aid to eligible for-profit businesses or nonprofits affected by construction. This applies to projects starting November 1, 2025, or later, directly impacting businesses near highway construction sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $750,000 from state bonds to fund water main infrastructure improvements on Mill Street in Shorewood, Minnesota. The funds will cover property acquisition, design, construction, and equipment for the city's water system. The money comes from state bonds authorized under Minnesota law, with the Public Facilities Authority distributing the grant to Shorewood. It directly affects Shorewood residents by upgrading local water infrastructure, with no broader statewide impact specified.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to give the commissioner of administration more flexibility in defining "small business" for state contracting preferences. Currently, the commissioner must use the federal size standard from the Code of Federal Regulations; this bill allows them to adopt that standard *or* another standard instead. It directly affects small businesses in Minnesota seeking state contracts, as their eligibility could change based on the standard the commissioner chooses. The policy change replaces a mandatory federal definition with a flexible approach for determining which businesses qualify for contracting preferences.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 3233 establishes a 13-member task force to evaluate road funding alternatives as electric vehicle adoption grows. The task force, including state agency representatives and EV industry experts, will analyze options like mileage-based fees, increased surcharges on electric vehicles, and taxes on charging station usage. It must assess current funding mechanisms, study other states' approaches, and estimate costs for implementing alternatives by March 2026. The bill directly affects Minnesota's transportation funding system as traditional gas tax revenue declines with more electric vehicles. The task force will submit recommendations to lawmakers for potential legislative action.

Maddy summarySF 3126 appropriates $5.7 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure upgrades in Tonka Bay, specifically targeting aging water distribution, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer systems, along with street reconstruction in the Lakeview and Wildhurst neighborhoods. The bill authorizes the state to sell up to $5.7 million in bonds under Minnesota law to cover these costs, with funds administered through the Public Facilities Authority to the city. This directly affects Tonka Bay residents and local infrastructure by addressing critical maintenance needs in those neighborhoods. The bill becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special license plate for vehicles supporting Minnesota's Solar Pollinator Program. Vehicle owners who pay a $60 annual fee to a pollinator habitat fund (instead of a standard plate fee) can obtain these plates, which must display a design developed with environmental groups. It also establishes that solar sites integrated with farming activities - like growing crops, grazing livestock, or creating pollinator habitats - are eligible for "solar site management practices" under existing law. The program applies to passenger vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles registered in Minnesota, with plates effective January 2026. The bill directly affects solar developers seeking agrivoltaic eligibility and vehicle owners participating in pollinator habitat funding.

Maddy summarySF 3125 appropriates $11.7 million from state bond proceeds to fund street and utility infrastructure repairs in Long Lake, specifically for aging sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer systems along Grand Avenue, including associated street reconstruction. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds up to $11.7 million to cover these costs, following Minnesota's bond issuance procedures. This funding directly affects the city of Long Lake, enabling it to repair failing infrastructure and reconstruct streets. The project focuses on concrete physical improvements to public utilities and roads in a specific geographic area.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retailers in Minnesota to display multilingual signs by August 1, 2026, warning customers that selling skin-lightening products containing mercury is illegal and may cause health harm. The signs must be visible at all retail locations where such products are sold and must include text in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, French, Ethiopian, and Oromo. The Pollution Control Agency and Health Commissioner will develop the sign content with community input. This directly affects retailers selling skin-lightening products and aims to inform consumers about existing mercury-related restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds to create two key resources: a state-wide water availability atlas showing current water resources using existing data, and a methodology to help determine suitable locations for large water users (like businesses or industries). It directs the commissioner of natural resources to develop these tools by working with the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office. The atlas and methodology must be submitted to relevant legislative committees and made available to state agencies, local governments, and economic development authorities by January 15, 2028. The appropriation is a one-time funding measure for this specific development effort.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers administration of the Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force grant program from the Department of Administration to the Department of Transportation. The program provides grants to Minnesota manufacturers (specifically asphalt, ready-mix, and aggregate producers) to help them obtain environmental product declarations, improve plant efficiencies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It appropriates $500,000 for the program in fiscal year 2026, with funds available until June 2029, and specifies that the Department of Transportation will now process applications and award grants. This change affects manufacturers seeking financial support for environmental compliance and efficiency improvements.