Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart

Maddy summarySF 3083 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Agriculture to update the state's pesticide management plan to include pesticides from treated seeds and their breakdown products in groundwater and surface water monitoring. The bill mandates new labeling for certain pesticide-treated seeds, establishes a program for systemic pesticides (pesticides absorbed by plants and spread through plant tissue), and broadens coordination to include local governments and public health agencies in plan development. It also adds requirements for monitoring pesticide contamination in air quality and increases penalties for pesticide damage to state outdoor recreation lands. The bill appropriates funds to support these new monitoring, labeling, and program requirements.

Maddy summarySF 3028 establishes special license plates for snowmobile owners in Minnesota. To obtain these plates, applicants must be registered owners of qualifying vehicles (like passenger cars or motorcycles), pay standard fees plus additional annual contributions to a snowmobile trails account, and meet other registration requirements. The funds collected under this bill are specifically appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources for developing, maintaining, and grooming snowmobile trails. This bill takes effect January 1, 2026, for new plates issued on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Department of Transportation to adopt specific safety message standards for changeable highway signs by July 1, 2025. It mandates that messages must be clear, simple, and avoid slang, hashtags, or cultural references that could confuse drivers, while focusing on minimizing distraction. The bill directly affects the Department of Transportation (which must implement these rules) and all road users who encounter these signs.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends Minnesota driver's license expiration periods from current 4-6 year terms to every eight years, effective August 1, 2025. It directly affects all drivers renewing licenses after this date, including standard, REAL ID, and enhanced license holders. The key mechanism is extending the expiration period while increasing standard driver's license fees from $27.75 to $55.50 (and adjusting other related fees). This change applies to all license classes under Minnesota Statutes 171.02-171.27.

Maddy summarySF 2509 establishes Minnesota's Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic Resiliency Program to support local sustainable food systems. The bill provides financial and technical assistance to urban and rural producers in regenerative food systems, including funding for infrastructure like storage facilities, neighborhood food commons, weather-resilient water systems, and culturally relevant food access programs. It specifically requires support for Black, Indigenous, and people of color food producers and creates a fund to make fruits and vegetables affordable across all income levels. The program will be administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development with guidance from an advisory committee representing diverse community stakeholders.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program" through the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents. It allocates $2.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to provide direct support to small local governments (populations under 15,000) or collaborative groups of such communities. The program funds infrastructure project analysis, planning, and design assistance - prioritizing communities lacking capacity to apply for state or federal grants - and requires incorporating climate resilience and cross-sector project coordination. Funds must be used for activities like scoping, predesign, and sustainability planning through university partnerships, with program details and financials published online.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts deliveries of aggregate materials (like sand, gravel, and crushed stone used in construction) from Minnesota's retail delivery fee. It specifically applies to retailers selling these materials subject to sales tax under Minnesota law. The exemption becomes effective July 1, 2025, and directly affects construction suppliers and their customers purchasing these materials for projects. The change modifies existing tax code to exclude these deliveries from the fee structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from bond proceeds and $11.5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026, plus $15 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027, to fund the Local Road Wetland Replacement Program. It directly affects local road projects that require wetland replacement under Minnesota Statutes §103G.222, as these projects often drain or fill wetlands during repairs or upgrades. The program enables the Board of Water and Soil Resources to purchase land/easements or acquire wetland replacement credits at fair market value to restore or preserve wetlands, using agreements with federal agencies, local governments, or nonprofits. The funds are specifically for offsetting wetland loss caused by public road maintenance activities, not for new road construction.

Maddy summarySF 2905 requires Minnesota's Department of Transportation (DOT) to use qualification-based selection - evaluating firms based on expertise rather than lowest cost - for road construction projects exceeding $800,000 annually in engineering fees. From October 2025 through March 2028, the DOT must apply this method to at least five projects each year, avoiding repeated projects across consecutive years. The bill mandates two reports: a preliminary review by October 2026 and a final report by October 2028, assessing impacts on project timelines, quality, change orders, and sustainability. It appropriates a one-time $ amount from the general fund for the pilot program and reporting, available until June 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds to create a pilot program capturing waste heat from wastewater treatment facilities. It directs the Pollution Control Agency to identify suitable facilities, quantify available heat energy, and fund engineering studies for one project in the metro area and one outside it. The program requires a report by December 2027 detailing identified sites, implementation challenges and benefits, and future funding options. The bill directly affects wastewater treatment facilities and district energy systems through potential heat integration, but does not mandate facility upgrades or alter regulatory requirements.