Sen. Nicole Mitchell

Maddy summarySF 1935 prohibits the elective declawing of cats in Minnesota, meaning it bans surgical removal of claws for cosmetic or convenience reasons (like making cats easier to handle). The bill allows declawing only for medically necessary procedures addressing infections, injuries, or health issues. It imposes civil penalties of $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,500 for third or subsequent violations, recoverable by county attorneys or the state. This directly affects veterinarians performing such procedures and cat owners who might request elective declawing.

Maddy summarySF 1959 is an omnibus bill that combines multiple veteran policy changes and funding allocations into a single measure. It directly affects veterans in Minnesota and state agencies managing veteran services, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Key provisions include new funding for veteran housing assistance, healthcare access programs, and benefits administration, alongside updates to eligibility rules. The bill became law on May 23, 2025, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 3513 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission in Minnesota, replacing the legislature's current role in drawing congressional and state legislative district boundaries. The bill would create a 7-member commission selected through a nonpartisan process (including a Review Panel for applicant screening), requiring districts to follow specific fairness principles like population equality and geographic continuity. This directly affects all Minnesota residents by changing how voting districts are drawn, aiming to reduce partisan influence in redistricting. The amendment also prohibits legislators from working as lobbyists for one year after leaving office and adds new constitutional sections governing the commission's structure and redistricting standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesotans to modify the sex indicator on their birth records. Adults 18+ or emancipated minors can request changes directly, while parents/guardians may request changes for minors or incapacitated individuals. To request a change, applicants must provide documentation like a medical provider's statement, court order, or sworn statement confirming good faith. The commissioner must approve valid requests, and replaced records become confidential, with original records sealed from public disclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $25 million from state bond proceeds to fund the renovation of the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. The funds will cover predesign, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of the museum building, directly benefiting the museum and its operations. The state will sell up to $25 million in bonds under existing bond laws to finance this appropriation, with the city of St. Paul receiving the grant. The bill authorizes the commissioner of management and budget to issue these bonds and is effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of "debt buyer" to exclude nonprofit organizations purchasing charged-off debts for charitable purposes. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to relieve medical debt for eligible Minnesotans who couldn't pay after hospitals completed reasonable collection efforts. The funds are available until June 30, 2028, and the nonprofit must report on the number and characteristics of residents receiving debt relief. This directly affects medical debtors and clarifies the regulatory status of charitable debt-buying nonprofits.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million from state bond proceeds to fund new habitats for lions, tigers, cougars, snow leopards, and wolves at St. Paul's Como Zoo. The funds will cover designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping the habitats, including required training, enrichment, off-exhibit housing, and veterinary care spaces. The state will sell up to $20 million in bonds to finance this project, with the Metropolitan Council administering the grant to the City of St. Paul. The bill directly affects Como Zoo's animal facilities and the City of St. Paul's management of the zoo.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund for Minnesota's "Lawns to Legumes" program in fiscal year 2026. The funding, available until June 30, 2029, supports the Board of Water and Soil Resources in replacing traditional lawns with legume-rich plantings that improve soil health and support pollinators. The program will partner with local governments, Metro Blooms, and other organizations to implement this initiative. It directly affects landowners participating in the program and local entities managing public or private green spaces.

Maddy summarySF 3294 modifies Minnesota's transparency requirements for the federal 340B drug pricing program. It mandates that covered entities (like hospitals and clinics participating in the 340B program) report annual financial data to the health commissioner, including drug acquisition costs, payments received from insurers, and program expenses, with hospitals required to report at the drug level for their top 50 dispensed drugs. The commissioner must then submit an annual report to the legislature, including specific financial details for entities with significant 340B revenue, and non-compliance may result in daily fines of up to $500.

Maddy summarySF 1598 repeals a Minnesota statute (471.9998) that currently prohibits local governments from banning paper, plastic, or reusable bags provided by merchants. If enacted, this bill would allow cities and counties to implement their own bag bans, directly affecting local governments and businesses that provide bags to customers. The key mechanism is removing the state-level prohibition, enabling municipalities to regulate bag use without state interference. This change would apply to all localities within Minnesota, shifting authority from the state to local jurisdictions. The bill does not create new bag rules but removes a barrier to local action.