Sen. Julia Coleman

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility for teacher preparation program grants in Minnesota. It ensures all teacher preparation programs approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) qualify for multiple existing grant programs, including the "Grow Your Own" initiative and scholarships for underrepresented teacher candidates. Key provisions require at least 80% of "Grow Your Own" grant funds to support tuition or stipends for people of color or American Indian individuals seeking teaching licenses. The changes apply to grants awarded on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting PELSBoard-approved programs, school districts, and prospective teachers from underrepresented groups.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill SF 1138 allocates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of health. This funding supports the nonprofit "Change the Outcome" to provide opioid prevention and education programs directly affecting Minnesota middle and high schools, communities, and individuals struggling with substance use. Key provisions include data-driven school and community workshops on opioid dangers, prevention strategies, overdose recognition, emerging drug trends (like fentanyl and xylazine), and access to treatment resources. The bill focuses on concrete funding for evidence-based education rather than changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used at the Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex in Chanhassen, Minnesota. It applies to materials purchased between October 31, 2025, and September 1, 2027, allowing contractors to pay the tax upfront and later receive a refund. The state will cover these refunds using funds appropriated from the general fund. This directly affects the Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex construction project and businesses selling materials to it during the specified period.

Maddy summarySF 2110 expands Minnesota's list of inmates ineligible for earned incentive release credit under the Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act. It adds specific serious offenses to the exclusion list, including crimes resulting in death, certain sexual offenses involving minors, child exploitation, violent crimes with weapons, and crimes carrying mandatory minimum sentences. This directly affects inmates serving sentences for these offenses who would otherwise qualify for early release through the program. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 244.45 and 244.46 to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Minnesota charter schools receive local funding. It requires school districts to provide charter schools with a share of "local optional revenue" (like money from local property taxes) based on the charter school's student enrollment. The amount equals the district's total local optional revenue multiplied by the charter school's student count. Special provisions add extra funding for extended programs and special education charters. This directly affects all Minnesota charter schools operating within school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $342,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $342,000 for fiscal year 2027 to the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council. The funding supports the council's existing statutory role under Minnesota Statutes section 256.4835, which requires the council to advise the legislature and state agencies on rare disease issues. This is a straightforward funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting the council's operations to continue its work supporting Minnesotans with rare diseases.

Maddy summarySF 1783 prohibits websites, apps, software, or programs from allowing users to access, download, or use "nudification technology" that alters images or videos to reveal intimate body parts of identifiable individuals or creates realistic depictions of such parts. The bill directly affects platform owners and operators who host such technology, banning them from enabling this process. Key provisions include civil penalties of at least $500,000 per violation, plus triple damages for victims, and allow injured individuals to sue for mental anguish, attorney fees, and injunctions. The law takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to violations occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving childhood sexual abuse, allowing victims who were under 18 at the time of abuse to file or continue claims even if they were previously time-barred. It applies retroactively to cases pending or filed on or after August 1, 2025, including those dismissed before that date due to expired deadlines. The key mechanism is amending Minnesota law to explicitly permit retroactive application of the extended filing period for these specific claims. It directly affects individuals who experienced sexual abuse as minors and had previously lost their legal right to sue. The change takes effect on August 1, 2025, for all qualifying cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to fund high school robotics teams in Minnesota. It authorizes the commissioner of education to award competitive grants to public school districts and charter schools for robotics program costs, including operational expenses, coach stipends, and competition-related travel and materials. Schools receiving grants must report on how the programs enhance students' college and career readiness, and the commissioner must submit an annual report to the legislature listing recipients and their planned activities. The bill appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1883) creates a specific exemption in Minnesota's Human Rights Act for women's athletics. It allows schools, sports organizations, and other entities to limit participation in women's sports teams solely to individuals assigned female at birth based on biological sex, excluding trans-identifying athletes. The exemption defines "sex" as biological sex at birth (including chromosomes and genetics), separate from gender identity, and protects organizations from complaints or penalties if they enforce this policy. It does not affect men's sports teams or allow exclusion of individuals based on gender identity in other contexts.