Sen. Julia Coleman

Maddy summarySF 752 requires transit councils to obtain written approval from affected cities, counties, and towns before proceeding with guideway projects (like bus rapid transit or streetcar infrastructure, excluding light rail). It mandates public hearings at both the transit council and local government levels, with municipalities having 45 days to approve or disapprove plans, and requiring specific change requests if disapproved. Crucially, the transit council cannot apply for federal funding until all local governments along the route have approved the plans. This bill directly affects local governments along transit routes and transit planning bodies like the Metropolitan Council, applying to all current and future guideway projects.

Maddy summarySF 754 (Penalty enhancement for assaulting a police officer) amends Minnesota law to increase penalties for assaulting peace officers. It makes it a felony (up to 3 years in prison or $6,000 fine) if an assault causes demonstrable bodily harm or involves throwing bodily fluids or feces at an officer. This directly affects individuals who commit these specific acts against police during lawful duties. The bill takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million for the Safe Routes to School program in fiscal year 2026 and another $20 million in 2027, totaling $40 million from the general fund. It directly funds infrastructure improvements like sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes near schools to make walking or biking safer for Minnesota students. The funding is allocated to the commissioner of transportation to implement the program under Minnesota Statutes, section 174.40. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely expanding existing program resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of using a commercial vehicle for specific felony offenses from ever operating such vehicles again. It directly affects commercial drivers convicted of felony drug crimes (under Chapter 152) or certain human trafficking offenses (under sections 609.281, 609.282, or 609.322). The key provision mandates a permanent disqualification by the commissioner upon conviction for these offenses. The law applies to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $200 million in bonds to fund state highway construction and improvements. The funds will be used by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for building, reconstructing, and upgrading trunk highways (major state roads), including design-build projects and associated consultant costs. Up to 17% of the total amount may be allocated for program delivery expenses like internal department costs. The bond proceeds will be deposited into the trunk highway fund, with repayment funded through future state highway revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 638) amends Minnesota law to create a new misdemeanor offense for knowingly entering or being found in a stolen motor vehicle. It directly affects individuals who enter a vehicle they know was stolen, such as passengers or drivers who were not involved in the initial theft but are aware of its stolen status. The law imposes a misdemeanor penalty for the first offense and elevates it to a gross misdemeanor for repeat violations. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and modifies existing provisions under Minnesota Statutes section 609.52.

Maddy summarySF 244 proposes establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Minnesota for eligible students. It would provide state funds to parents for qualifying education expenses at approved providers (like private schools, tutors, or online programs), targeting families with incomes under four times the reduced-price lunch threshold. Key provisions include a cap on participants (starting at 5% of public school enrollment, increasing by 3% annually), priority for kindergarten students and siblings already in the program, and strict definitions of allowable expenses like tuition, curriculum materials, tutoring, and up to $400/year for supplies. The bill explicitly excludes reimbursement for parents providing home instruction.

Maddy summarySF 738 modifies Minnesota's education innovation zone and P-TECH school program rules. It adds "work-based schools" and "place-based learning" to the list of approved experiential learning programs under statute 124D.085. The bill requires school districts to publicly adopt and review innovation zone plans detailing program structure, enrollment, and evaluation methods, and to post these plans online. For P-TECH schools, it mandates specific application components like written agreements with partners, descriptions of regional economic support, and facility details. These changes clarify procedures but do not alter funding or grant approval authority for existing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota public school districts to include detailed safety plans in their long-term facility plans, covering physical modifications for student/staff safety and gender-neutral restrooms at each school. It creates school security grants to fund multilayered security systems, mandating approved vendors to install specific features like classroom duress alarms, bullet-resistant doors, emergency notification systems, and access controls. The grants prioritize schools serving the most students across all geographic regions, with applications due by August 1, 2025. Public school districts (excluding charter schools for facility plans) and charter schools (for grants) are directly affected, with plans effective for submissions after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates which government entity is responsible for managing specific light rail transit projects in Minnesota's metropolitan area. It requires the governor to formally select one entity - either the Metropolitan Council, the state transportation department, or a county board (for projects entirely within one county) - to plan, build, and equip each light rail facility. The bill clarifies that the governor's designation applies to projects entering full funding agreements after the law takes effect. It does not change funding or project requirements, only specifies which local or state agency leads each project's development. The law affects how light rail projects are administered across the Twin Cities region.