Sen. Ron Latz

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public safety radio account and increases fees for the criminal justice data communications network in Minnesota. It directly affects criminal justice agencies, federal security clearance investigators, and other state agencies that need access to secure criminal history records. The key provision sets a $100 monthly fee per terminal for network access, with half of each fee deposited into the new public safety radio account. Additionally, the bill outlines strict security requirements, including mandatory background checks and compliance with data policies, for any agency seeking secure network connections.

Maddy summarySF 3804 modifies Minnesota's data protection rules for property tax assessments, specifically clarifying that sensitive financial data (like income figures, vacancy rates, and lease information) classified as private under state law can still be accessed in legal proceedings. The bill requires Tax Court to issue protective orders preventing public disclosure or misuse of this data during tax disputes, ensuring it's only used for the specific legal case. It directly affects property owners (whose data is protected), Tax Court proceedings, and legal parties involved in property tax challenges. The key change removes barriers to using this data in court while adding safeguards to maintain confidentiality.

Maddy summarySF 3660 requires Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to investigate criminal sexual conduct cases and officer-involved deaths involving federal agents, such as those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bill expands the BCA's existing duty - currently covering local peace officers - to include federal agents by amending definitions and investigation requirements in state law. This change ensures incidents involving federal agents operating in Minnesota are handled by the state's Use of Force Investigations Unit rather than federal or local agencies. The bill does not alter current responsibilities for local law enforcement but explicitly adds federal agents to the scope of BCA investigations.

Maddy summarySF 3831 clarifies that earned wage access payday loans are explicitly included within Minnesota's definitions of consumer small and short-term loans. This means lenders offering these loans must now comply with the same licensing requirements, fee limits, and registration rules that apply to other small and short-term lenders. The bill affects all businesses providing earned wage access services to Minnesota residents, including online or mobile app-based lenders without a physical Minnesota location. This clarification ensures these loans are subject to the same consumer protections, such as annual percentage rate calculations and restrictions on non-interest fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies which vehicles require auto insurers to pay a 50-cent surcharge per six months of comprehensive coverage. It expands the list of covered vehicles to include fleet vehicles and recreational vehicles, while removing the previous exclusion for vehicles over 10,000 pounds. Insurers must collect this surcharge separately from premiums and send the revenue to the state's automobile theft prevention program. The change directly affects insurers writing comprehensive auto policies for these specific vehicle types in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal claim in Minnesota for individuals whose constitutional rights were violated by state or local officials acting under the authority of law. It allows victims to sue officials for damages, attorney fees, and other relief, with claims needing to be filed within six years. The bill also requires written agreements for state/local law enforcement to collaborate with federal agencies, mandating that federal officers under such partnerships can be held liable for constitutional violations. It directly affects people seeking redress for rights violations and law enforcement agencies entering federal partnerships.

Maddy summarySF 3872 adds new protections for research data collected by Minnesota's Department of Public Safety. It explicitly prohibits using this data for non-research purposes and requires it to be handled like other confidential information (e.g., medical or Social Security data). This affects how the department shares data with researchers studying traffic safety, domestic abuse programs, or other public safety topics. The bill clarifies that research data must be kept confidential, aligning with federal definitions of "research" for surveys, focus groups, and program evaluation.

Maddy summarySF 2940 modifies Minnesota's Consumer Data Privacy Act to explicitly classify consumer health data as "sensitive data," requiring stronger protections. This affects Minnesotans whose health information (like diagnoses, treatments, medications, or mental health status) is collected by businesses, and the businesses handling this data. The bill amends specific sections of Minnesota Statutes (325M.11, 325M.12, etc.) to add health data to the list of sensitive data types, mandating additional safeguards for its collection, use, and sharing. These changes align with existing protections for other sensitive data like biometrics under the law. The bill does not introduce new enforcement mechanisms but clarifies that health data requires the same heightened privacy standards as other sensitive categories.

Maddy summarySF 3545 modifies Minnesota's liquor licensing laws to allow specific municipalities to issue licenses to certain venues and entities. It authorizes St. Paul to grant on-sale liquor licenses to the Fitzgerald Theatre, Science Museum of Minnesota, and Union Depot without usual zoning restrictions. The bill also updates requirements for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, allowing licenses for Northrop Auditorium, football stadiums (including TCF Huntington Bank Stadium), and up to seven other campus locations, with conditions requiring public sales through halftime during football games. These changes directly affect the University of Minnesota, St. Paul venues, state recreation facilities, and the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

Maddy summarySF 3837 allocates $ from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund a public awareness campaign about extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs). The campaign, run by the state public safety agency, aims to educate both the public and law enforcement about ERPOs. The agency may contract with private organizations to help develop and deliver this information. This bill solely provides funding for awareness efforts and does not change ERPO laws or procedures.