Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart

Maddy summarySF 5068 requires the Minnesota commissioner of natural resources to grant a permanent 33-foot-wide easement across specific state-owned land in Crow Wing County. This easement is intended to provide access and utility rights for a neighboring private property, defined by precise legal descriptions of the land parcels involved. The bill mandates that the state land be used to support ingress, egress, and utilities for the adjacent land, ensuring a clear path for travel and services between the two properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state program to ensure all pedestrian crossings in Minnesota meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards by December 31, 2035. It requires the Department of Transportation to create an inventory of every crossing, categorize them by compliance status, and maintain a public database tracking these updates. To fund the necessary repairs, the bill authorizes the use of state money and the sale of bonds to provide grants for local road authorities, prioritizing smaller communities and areas with lower-income residents. Local entities can use these funds to inspect crossings, hire contractors for repairs, or pay off debt related to the work. The legislation also mandates the creation of regional contracts to manage the construction of accessible crossings across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mining applicants to disclose if they or their key personnel (including ownership details and leadership) have had environmental violations or corruption charges in the last 15 years. It prohibits state agencies from issuing permits, conducting environmental reviews, or renewing approvals for applicants with such records. The disclosure must include specific details about past violations of environmental laws, bribery, or related settlements. It directly affects companies seeking permits for nonferrous sulfide ore mining, which poses significant environmental risks like acid mine drainage. The law blocks permits for entities with recent regulatory misconduct, focusing on transparency and accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $20 million in state bonds to fund the design and construction of a public space over Shepard Road in St. Paul, including adjacent rail lines and related infrastructure. The funds will be provided to Ramsey County through a grant administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development. The project covers predesign, engineering, construction, and equipment for the public realm. This directly affects St. Paul residents by creating new public space and impacts Ramsey County as the recipient of the grant funds. The bill enables the state to issue bonds under existing statutes to finance this specific capital improvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cities and towns in Minnesota to set speed limits for e-bikes specifically within business districts. Local governments must post signs to mark where the speed limit applies, and violations would result in citations issued only by local police officers (not state troopers). Crucially, these citations won’t affect a person’s driving record or appear on commercial driver licenses. The bill also requires citations to state the exact speed exceeded, not just a general violation, and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects e-bike riders in business districts and local governments seeking to manage traffic safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover all FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications used to treat or slow the progression of dementia, including diagnostic tests to evaluate their effectiveness. To ensure patients can access these treatments without unnecessary hurdles, the law prohibits insurers from using step therapy protocols, which typically require trying cheaper or less effective options first, before approving coverage for dementia care. The legislation also modifies rules on prior authorization for other drugs, mandating public comment periods and streamlined processes for specific medications, such as those used by patients with enteral feeding tubes. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to health plans that are offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds to the Department of Education to award grants for student mental health programs in elementary and secondary schools. The funding supports initiatives that encourage students to disconnect from electronic devices and social media, engage in physical activity, participate in collaborative experiences, and build in-person relationships. Grant applicants must demonstrate that their programs improve mental health outcomes, and the one-time appropriation is available until June 30, 2029. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Solar Energy Systems Consumer Protection Act to regulate contracts between solar energy companies and consumers in Minnesota. It directly affects individuals purchasing or leasing solar energy systems, including those under power purchase agreements, by requiring companies to register with the state and submit periodic reports. The legislation defines key terms such as "consumer," "lease," and "energy storage system" to clarify which transactions fall under the new rules. Additionally, the bill outlines specific protections for lenders and addresses how solar systems installed on new homes are treated differently than those on existing properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $11 million in state bonds to fund improvements to Trunk Highway 7 in eight Hennepin and Carver County cities, including Chanhassen, Deephaven, Excelsior, and Minnetonka. The funds will be used for planning, design, environmental analysis, property acquisition, and construction work on the highway, integrated with planned maintenance efforts. The state commissioner of transportation will manage the bond sale process and oversee how the money is spent on these transportation projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new vehicle registration tax system in Minnesota that charges fees based on a vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price and its weight. It directly affects passenger automobile owners and dealers by creating a weight surcharge that increases with vehicle weight, ranging from $0 for vehicles under 1,500 pounds to higher amounts for heavier vehicles. The legislation also requires dealers to provide weight disclosures and sets specific tax rates that decrease over the first ten years of a vehicle's life, with a flat fee for vehicles older than ten years. These changes will take effect for registration periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027.