Sen. Julia Coleman

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3302) amends Minnesota Statutes section 137.375 to request that the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska provide free, unlimited entry to disabled veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the state commissioner of veterans affairs as having a permanent service-connected disability, plus one guest. To qualify, the veteran must present a photo ID card marked "service-connected" verifying their disability status. The provision directly affects disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities who visit the Chaska Arboretum, ensuring they and a guest receive complimentary access.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3259) amends Minnesota law to restrict when motorcycles can split or filter between lanes of traffic. It prohibits motorcycles from operating between lanes of moving/stationary vehicles, riding abreast, or passing within the same lane - except under specific conditions: motorcycles may pass within the same lane only when traveling at or below 25 mph and no more than 15 mph over the surrounding traffic speed. The law directly affects motorcycle riders in Minnesota, clarifying safe lane-splitting rules on public roads. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and updates existing traffic regulations without creating new penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts admission fees for championship golf tournaments sponsored by the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) from Minnesota's sales and use tax. It specifically covers the privilege of admission to these tournaments and related PGA-sponsored events. The exemption applies to sales made after June 30, 2025, and directly affects PGA events held in Minnesota by removing the tax burden on ticket purchases. This is a concrete policy change to the state's tax code for a specific type of event.

Maddy summarySF 832 establishes a new licensure for certified midwives in Minnesota and expands Medicaid coverage to include their services. The bill creates specific definitions for "licensed certified midwives" and outlines their scope of practice, including prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum support, and gynecological care. It requires midwives to hold national certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board and be licensed by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. This law directly affects certified midwives seeking to practice legally and low-income patients receiving Medicaid-covered midwifery care.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to sell up to $9.6 million in bonds to fund the renovation of paved state trails. The money, drawn from bond proceeds, will be used by the commissioner of natural resources to renovate trails established under Minnesota Statutes section 85.015, following the commissioner's priorities. The bond sale follows specific legal procedures outlined in Minnesota statutes and the state constitution. This directly affects state trails used by the public and the natural resources department responsible for trail maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4.9 million from the general fund for the Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a base appropriation of $4.9 million continuing annually starting in 2028. The funding is directed to the commissioner of public safety to support the Task Force's operations. The bill directly affects the Task Force by providing dedicated state funding for its work on human trafficking investigations. It does not create new policies but ensures ongoing financial support for an existing state-level law enforcement initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that direct primary care agreements (where patients pay a periodic fee for primary care services) are not considered health insurance or subject to insurance regulations. It defines a "direct primary care agreement" as a written contract between a patient and provider that includes specific terms: no termination fees, clear periodic fees for defined services, prohibition on extra charges for included services, and a prominent statement that it is not insurance. The bill exempts these agreements and providers from Minnesota's insurance regulations (chapters 60A-72A) when the agreement meets all defined requirements. It applies to agreements issued, offered, or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 3050 allows union members in Minnesota to choose how their dues are allocated, directly affecting both public and private sector union members. The bill amends state laws to require unions to inform members they can direct all or part of their dues to a local, state, or national organization of their choice. Employers must process these allocation requests via payroll deduction within 30 days, with clear authorization forms and union notification requirements. This changes existing dues remittance practices without altering dues amounts or creating new funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $15 million from regional transportation tax proceeds to the University of Minnesota for replacing suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge in Minneapolis. The funds must be used to design and construct new pedestrian enclosure and deterrent barriers, with requirements to consult suicide prevention organizations and experts during planning. It directly affects the University of Minnesota (as the grant recipient) and bridge users, particularly those at risk of self-harm. The provision modifies standard transportation fund allocation rules to prioritize this specific safety project.

Maddy summarySF 2685 requires the Minnesota State High School League to secure catastrophic accident insurance covering student athletes in all league-sponsored sports, including pregame/postgame activities and ninth graders. The policy must provide at least $10 million in lifetime coverage per injury with a $50,000 deductible, covering medical care, medications, vehicles, and wheelchairs related to the injury. The bill directly affects all student athletes, managers, trainers, and cheerleaders participating in Minnesota high school league activities. It also mandates specific payments to two former athletes injured in 2011 (hockey) and 2022 (football) for expenses not covered by insurance, effective after 2025.