Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $75 million in bonds to fund capital improvements for arterial bus rapid transit projects. The funds will be distributed to the Metropolitan Council, which must allocate the money based on specific criteria such as project readiness, potential ridership, and alignment with existing transportation plans. The legislation covers costs for acquiring real property, designing and engineering the transitways, relocating utilities, and constructing the necessary facilities. Once passed, the commissioner of management and budget will sell the bonds to generate the required capital for these transportation enhancements.

Maddy summarySF 2530 amends Minnesota statutes to facilitate gas resource development while requiring environmental safeguards. It specifically allows gas development in state wilderness areas without surface disturbance (amending Section 93.513, subdivision 1), which directly affects gas developers and the Department of Natural Resources. The bill creates financial assurance accounts for permit fees (amending Section 11A.236) and establishes rules for environmental protection during development. It also adds criminal penalties for violations and updates multiple statutes governing resource permits and development. The law aims to balance energy development with environmental responsibility through these specific procedural and financial mechanisms.

Maddy summarySF 3988 modifies several transportation rules in Minnesota. It increases the cost threshold for "major highway projects" from $15 million to $30 million in metro areas and $5 million to $15 million elsewhere, affecting project reporting requirements. The bill also prohibits silencing railroad crossing bells at active warning systems and updates rail service improvement program rules to require economic benefits analysis for projects, mandate local hiring, and set minimum wages for rail workers at twice the state minimum wage. Additionally, it removes funding authorization for Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport and repeals highway designations for the Hiawatha Pioneer Trail.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of road construction materials to include supplies and equipment used in building real property, thereby broadening the scope of vehicles that require special overweight permits. It allows road authorities to issue annual permits for six-axle vehicles hauling these materials up to 90,000 pounds and for seven-axle vehicles up to 97,000 pounds, with associated fees of $300 and $500 respectively. Additionally, the legislation prevents local governments from adopting ordinances that restrict aggregate mining or production facilities once a permit application is submitted or an environmental impact study is underway, ensuring local rules do not exceed state or federal conditions. The bill also mandates a legislative audit of how counties collect and spend aggregate production taxes and appropriates $250,000 to update the state's inventory of aggregate resources.

Maddy summarySF 4051 requires the state trunk highway fund to cover costs for relocating local government or tribal utility systems (like water, sewer, or storm sewer lines) when highway construction necessitates moving them. It directly affects local units of government and Minnesota Tribal governments that own these utility systems. The bill mandates that the commissioner determine the remaining service life of the utility and pay relocation costs from the trunk highway fund, rather than requiring the local entity to cover these expenses. This changes the funding source for these specific relocation costs during trunk highway projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an "outdoor recreation endorsement" sticker for Minnesota license plates, allowing motor vehicles to access state parks and recreation areas over 50 acres. Vehicle owners would need this endorsement (or a dedicated state parks plate) to enter these areas, with fees collected funding park maintenance. The endorsement would be added to standard plates, and revenue would go to the natural resources fund. Veterans with service-connected disabilities would be exempt from the endorsement fee, as specified in existing law. The provision takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments receiving state funding for capital projects (like schools, parks, or infrastructure) to establish special accounts to maintain and replace those projects once they reach their useful life. Local governments must set annual deposit amounts based on depreciation and inflation, create written policies for fund use (including safety and sustainability), and maintain balances no higher than the state funding received. Failure to comply results in a penalty fee equal to 1% of the state appropriation per year, paid to the state general fund. The requirement applies to new projects with agreements signed on or after July 1, 2025, and does not affect state agencies or existing replacement funds meeting minimum deposit standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Metropolitan Airports Commission to increase transparency regarding flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that carry passengers being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Specifically, it mandates that the airport operator notify the commission of these flights and provides details on the number of detained passengers, including minors, along with flight schedules and routes. To further ensure public oversight, the commission must install a live-streaming camera at the relevant terminal to broadcast the loading and unloading of these flights and submit monthly reports to state legislators. These provisions apply directly to the airport authority and the specific terminal handling private and business flights, aiming to make the presence and movement of detained individuals more visible to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the process for selecting the Hennepin County medical examiner by establishing a new Medical Examiner Board to oversee the selection. The board will consist of three specific individuals: a pathologist from a Class A medical school, a pathologist at the University of Minnesota, and the current director of medical examiner operations at the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office. Qualified applicants must be licensed physicians with board certification in forensic pathology, and the board will rank candidates to recommend the top seven for final appointment by the county board. The medical examiner will serve a four-year term, with provisions for temporary appointments during vacancies.

Maddy summarySF 4010 defines key terms for autonomous vehicle regulations in Minnesota, adding new definitions to the state's vehicle code. It establishes terms like "automated driving system," "autonomous vehicle" (level 4/5 SAE systems), "dynamic driving task," and "first responder interaction plan" to clarify how these vehicles operate and how emergencies should be handled. This bill directly affects autonomous vehicle manufacturers, operators of on-demand autonomous networks, and first responders who will use these definitions in future regulations. It does not create new operational rules but sets the foundation for future safety and interaction protocols. The bill is procedural, focusing on terminology rather than immediate policy changes.