Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Maddy summarySF 4001 modifies Minnesota's Board of Barber Examiners by requiring two specific types of barber members: one recommended by a union of journeymen barbers (existing at least two years) and one by a professional barber organization. It adjusts fees for barber examinations, lowering the practical exam fee from $85 to $80, and clarifies that fees paid to external exam providers are separate from board fees. The bill also repeals several outdated Minnesota Rules related to barber licensing. These changes directly affect barbers, barber shops, barber schools, and the Board of Barber Examiners itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Minnesota Historical Society. The funds will support a grant to a nonprofit organization for repairing or replacing technology to digitize historical media, including videotape, film, audio, and print materials like local news, documentaries, and community stories. The technology must convert these materials to digital format, and the nonprofit must make the digitized content publicly accessible. The goal is to preserve Minnesota's historical records and share them with the public through this digitization effort.

Maddy summarySF 3867 provides $500,000 in state funding from bond proceeds to Washington County for safety and congestion improvements at the intersection of Bailey Road (CSAH 18) and Woodbury Drive (CSAH 19) in Woodbury. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $500,000 to cover this cost, following Minnesota's bond laws. The funds will be used to construct physical changes at the intersection to improve traffic safety and reduce congestion. This project directly affects the City of Woodbury by addressing a specific roadway location with known safety and traffic concerns.

Maddy summarySF 3910 authorizes the city of Maplewood to impose a 0.5% local sales and use tax, subject to voter approval, to fund specific public projects. The tax revenue must cover the costs of three projects: a $25 million East Metro Public Safety Training Facility, a $48 million Maplewood Community Center, and an $8 million Afton Heights Park renovation. The city may issue bonds up to $81 million (totaling the project costs) without triggering standard debt limits or requiring additional voter approval for the bonds. The tax expires after 20 years or once project costs are fully covered, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryHF 954 requires Minnesota officials to confirm that similar nonferrous sulfide ore mining operations (like copper, nickel, or gold mines) have operated safely for at least 10 years without pollution before conducting environmental reviews or issuing permits. Applicants must prove a comparable mine in the same climate and water conditions operated without hazardous releases for a decade using similar reclamation methods. The bill mandates public comment periods and potential hearings if new evidence challenges proposed approvals. Existing permits for such projects must be renewed every 10 years with updated safety reviews. It explicitly excludes iron ore mining from these requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 1197 requires mining companies seeking permits for nonferrous sulfide ore projects in Minnesota to disclose all environmental violations, fines, or legal actions against them or their key personnel within the past 15 years. The bill prohibits state agencies from conducting environmental reviews or issuing permits to applicants who have been charged, convicted, or fined for environmental violations, bribery, or corruption in that timeframe. This directly affects companies applying for mining permits by blocking approval if they or their leadership have recent environmental compliance issues. The law aims to prevent entities with poor environmental records from obtaining permits for new mining projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Minnesota rebate program to help businesses, nonprofits, government entities, and tribes cover costs for installing geothermal heating systems in commercial or multifamily buildings. Rebates cover up to 15% of system costs (capped at $100,000 per project) for applicants who have applied for or received federal rebates under the Inflation Reduction Act. Priority is given to low-income housing projects owned by nonprofits or government entities. The program is funded through state appropriations from the renewable development account (for utility service areas) and general fund (outside those areas), with funds expiring in 2033.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded grant program to support regional food banks and Minnesota Tribal governments in distributing food to people in need. It appropriates $10 million for fiscal year 2027 (with $10 million each for 2028-2029), distributing funds based on poverty and unemployment rates in each area. Grant money can purchase food, personal hygiene products (like diapers), and cover transportation/distribution costs to approved sites, but cannot pay staff salaries. Recipients must report spending and ensure all distributed items are free at approved locations, with ineligible expenses requiring repayment to the state.

Maddy summaryHF 1296 requires Minnesota's Board of Animal Health to post specific information online about kennels, dealers, and commercial breeders, including current license statuses, annual inspection records, and reasons for license revocations. It also mandates that all advertising for animal sales must include the seller's current license number or a link to it. The bill clarifies that most breeder data (like addresses and premises locations) remains private, but the Board may disclose it for public health, safety, or law enforcement purposes. These changes directly affect licensed breeders, dealers, and the public seeking transparency about animal facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $4 million in state funding for Minnesota food shelf programs during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directs the state agency overseeing food shelves to use these funds to support community food banks that serve people facing food insecurity. The money comes from the state general fund and is added to existing base funding for these programs. This directly affects food shelves across Minnesota and the families and individuals they serve.