Sen. Nicole Mitchell

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota local governments with over 5,000 residents to create digital platforms that instantly approve residential solar permits for homes (up to 200-amp systems). The platforms must automatically issue permits online after payment, eliminate manual reviews for approved applications, and process at least 75% of residential solar permits. Affected governments must submit compliance reports and annual usage data to the state department, detailing permit volumes, platform use, and plans to meet the 75% target if needed. The law aims to streamline solar installation by removing manual review delays for standard residential projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $89 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the Commissioner of Human Services. The funds are designated for grants under Minnesota Statutes section 256K.45, subdivision 1, which directly support homeless youth services in Minnesota. The bill establishes funding for existing programs rather than creating new policy.

Maddy summarySF 2231 requires cities in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties, and any city with 10,000+ residents, to create "mixed-use housing zones" by June 30, 2027. These zones permit residential developments with at least three units (within 1/2 mile of a municipal state-aid street) or four units (within 1/4 mile of such a street) on a single lot. The bill also exempts these zoning changes from needing comprehensive plan amendments until December 31, 2029, streamlining approval for multi-unit housing near transit corridors.

Maddy summarySF 2656 appropriates $300,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the city of St. Paul for a mural and statue honoring Tou Ger Xiong at Lake Phalen's Tou Ger Xiong Island. The bill directs the city to design and construct this public artwork, which will commemorate Tou Ger Xiong's contributions to the community. The funding is allocated for fiscal year 2026 and comes from an existing state fund dedicated to cultural projects. This bill directly affects the city of St. Paul by providing state resources for a specific memorial project.

Maddy summarySF 1232 updates Minnesota's family child care licensing regulations by requiring the state to hire an independent consultant (preferably the National Association for Regulatory Administration) to develop new standards and a risk-based monitoring system. The bill mandates that the consultant must gather input from parents, providers, county licensors, and child development experts to create standards focused on child safety, family-friendliness, and fairness for providers. It also requires the state to submit a report with proposed changes by February 1, 2026, and implement new standards no earlier than January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects licensed family child care providers, parents, county licensors, and state agencies like Children, Youth, and Families, while ensuring all materials are available in multiple languages.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $96.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the state general fund to expand the Early Learning Scholarships program. It directly provides funding for low- and middle-income families to access early childhood education services through licensed providers. The program, administered by the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families, increases available scholarship funds under Minnesota Statutes §142D.25. This is a concrete funding increase, not a new program or eligibility change.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how service providers can charge veterans for help with benefits appeals or applications. It prohibits upfront fees, guarantees of success, and compensation exceeding five times the monthly benefit increase. Service providers must get written agreements detailing fees (only paid if benefits increase), avoid using international call centers, and conduct background checks on staff handling veterans' medical/financial data. The bill directly affects veterans seeking assistance with federal or state benefits and the private companies or individuals offering those services. It aims to prevent exploitative practices while clarifying allowable compensation structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance plans in Minnesota from charging cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for office visits to infants, children, and adolescents that meet two specific criteria: (1) the visit is for evidence-based preventive care or screenings recommended by the Health Resources and Services Administration, and (2) the visit lasts 15 minutes or less. It directly affects health insurance companies, healthcare providers, and families of children under 18 who rely on preventive care. The law requires insurers to allow providers to bill separately for these preventive services without cost-sharing, ensuring access to routine check-ups. This amends Minnesota Statutes to add a new provision under health insurance coverage rules.

Maddy summarySF 1315 modifies Minnesota's child care licensing process by changing how providers can challenge correction orders from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It requires providers to submit written reconsideration requests within 20 days, including specific errors, explanations, and supporting documentation. The bill also creates an expedited review option for licensed family child care providers facing significant costs or program changes to comply with a correction order. Additionally, it delays public posting of correction orders until after the 20-day reconsideration period or until the department issues its final decision. This bill directly affects licensed child care providers and centers operating under Minnesota Statutes section 142B.16.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits annual rent increases for low-income senior housing units that receive federal low-income housing tax credits. It directly affects seniors living in these specifically designated rental projects across Minnesota. The key provision caps rent increases at either the prior year's Social Security/SSI benefit increase (minus 1%) or 0%, whichever is higher. This ensures rent hikes cannot exceed federal benefit adjustments while preventing any increase if the adjusted figure would be negative.