Sen. Julia Coleman

Maddy summarySF 1668 amends Minnesota Statutes section 122A.09, subdivision 10, to exempt special education teachers from renewal limits on out-of-field permissions. Specifically, it states that permissions allowing teachers to instruct in special education assignments outside their licensed subject area (valid July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030) do not count toward any limit on renewal approvals. This directly affects licensed special education teachers and school districts facing staffing challenges in special education programs. The key provision removes a restriction that previously limited how many times such temporary permissions could be renewed for these specific teaching assignments.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes the "Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund" an ongoing annual appropriation of $6 million starting in fiscal year 2026. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and training sponsors by providing ongoing reimbursement for approved courses focused on use of force (Minn. Stat. §626.8452), crisis response/conflict management/cultural diversity (§626.8469), and autism training (§626.8474). Key provisions require course sponsors to submit detailed applications including course outlines, instructor qualifications, and learning assessments, with the board reviewing courses annually to ensure they meet approved learning outcomes. The fund must first reimburse all eligible approved courses before potentially covering additional training.

Maddy summarySF 1554 creates a tax credit for Minnesota taxpayers who enroll children in qualifying nonpublic schools. The credit equals the number of qualifying children (meeting IRS criteria and attending full-time at a nonpublic school that meets state attendance requirements) multiplied by a formula allowance. Taxpayers can claim the credit only if they owe state income tax, with strict rules preventing double claims (only one parent per child) and requiring documentation for noncustodial parents. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and cannot be used to pay past-due taxes or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1489) allows Minnesota school districts and charter schools to transfer unassigned funds between operating accounts for fiscal years 2025-2027 without increasing state aid or property tax authority. It also permits school boards to formally opt out of certain state laws or rules enacted after January 1, 2023, for the 2024-2025 through 2026-2027 school years. To use these provisions, school boards must adopt a written resolution specifying the purpose and amount of fund transfers or non-compliance with mandates, post the resolution online, and notify the education commissioner electronically. The bill applies only to the specified time periods and does not change existing state funding obligations.

Maddy summarySF 1502 amends Minnesota's Read Act to require public schools to use evidence-based reading instruction grounded in "science of reading" research, directly affecting K-3 students and educators statewide. The bill mandates schools adopt approved screeners for foundational reading skills, use specific evidence-based intervention models (approved by the Department of Education and CAREI), and provide professional development focused on structured literacy. It explicitly excludes the "three-cueing system" and requires the Department of Education to develop templates for local literacy plans and track implementation. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with key deadlines for approving interventions and screeners by June 2025. The bill cancels existing appropriations while redirecting resources toward evidence-based literacy implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's health commissioner to periodically update the list of genetic tests used to screen for heritable or congenital disorders, ensuring the list reflects medical advances and improves public health. Specifically, it mandates adding metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) testing to the required screening panel. The revision process must consider factors like test accuracy, treatability of the disorder, and severity of health impacts. This directly affects newborns and infants in Minnesota who undergo routine screening, as well as healthcare providers administering these tests. The change is effective immediately upon the commissioner's revision, with no additional rulemaking requirements.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1466 requires judges to impose longer sentences for individuals convicted of a violent felony who have two or more prior violent felony convictions. It mandates consecutive sentences for these offenders and prohibits early release options like parole, probation, or work release until the full sentence is served. The law applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and specifically targets repeat violent offenders under Minnesota Statutes § 609.1095. This policy change directly affects convicted violent offenders with prior violent felony convictions, altering sentencing outcomes by removing judicial discretion for early release.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to expand the definition of a "prior qualified human trafficking-related offense" for sentencing purposes. It changes the definition to include any prior conviction or adjudication for human trafficking-related violations committed at any time in a person's lifetime (not just within the past ten years), as well as similar offenses from other states. This affects individuals convicted of human trafficking crimes under Minnesota law or comparable out-of-state laws, potentially increasing sentencing severity based on broader prior offense history. The amendment applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1500 modifies Minnesota's driver and vehicle services by changing fee structures and adding online renewal options. It imposes an $8 fee for vehicle registration renewals and a $12 fee for other transactions (like new registrations), while eliminating fees for refunds, corrections, and permanent title surrenders. The bill establishes online renewal for driver's licenses (both REAL ID-compliant and noncompliant) under specific conditions, such as no identity changes and having a recent photo on file. It also allocates fees to state accounts (including technology and operating funds) and requires quarterly payments to deputy registrars for processing no-fee transactions ($9 per renewal, $13 per other transaction). The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1454 amends Minnesota's definition of "prepared food" for sales and use tax purposes. It specifies that food qualifies as "prepared" if sold with utensils provided by the seller or if it's heated, mixed, or combined by the seller (with exceptions). The bill excludes bakery items, certain raw meats/seafood, ingredients requiring consumer cooking, and simple repackaging from the "prepared food" definition. This change affects restaurants, food vendors, and other sellers of food items, determining which products may be subject to different tax treatment under Minnesota law, effective after June 30, 2025.