Sen. Julia Coleman

Maddy summarySF 443 establishes a property tax credit for Minnesota seniors who own and live in their home as their primary residence. To qualify, homeowners must be 65 or older (or married couples where one spouse is 65 and the other is 62) and have owned and occupied the home since at least January 2 of the application year. The credit amount equals the difference between the current year's tax (after other credits) and 1.08 times the previous year's tax (after other credits), but cannot reduce the tax below $0. The state will reimburse local governments for the tax reduction, with school districts receiving payments through the commissioner of education, starting for assessment year 2026.

Maddy summarySF 444 appropriates $3,350,000 from the general fund for the city of Carver to restore its levee, protecting a historic district from Minnesota River flooding. The funds cover specific capital improvements including raising the levee height, adding internal drainage, establishing setbacks from structures, and meeting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certification requirements. This one-time appropriation is in addition to prior funding for the same project and is available until completion or abandonment. The bill directly affects the city of Carver and the residents/businesses in the protected historic district.

Maddy summarySF 290 modifies data requirements for Minnesota applicants seeking noncompliant driver's licenses or identification cards (typically used by individuals without standard proof of legal presence). It requires the state to collect specific, non-identifiable data about foreign documents submitted (country of origin, document type, and whether the document was previously used), but prohibits sharing any applicant-identifiable information. The bill strictly limits sharing "immigration status data" only for jury service accuracy, victim outreach, processing specific federal forms, or when required by court orders. It explicitly bans sharing such data with federal immigration enforcement agencies, except under a valid warrant or court order.

Maddy summarySF 442 establishes a "skills path program" to create clear pathways from high school to careers in skilled trades and industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology. It allows eligible Minnesota high schools and postsecondary institutions to partner with employers to offer dual-credit courses combined with paid employment-based training (such as apprenticeships). The bill proposes $50,000 annual grants for up to ten schools to fund program coordination, marketing, and student expenses like tools or tuition - excluding direct student wages. This program directly affects high school students seeking career-focused education, with participating schools counting these students toward state funding calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law regarding blackout special license plates. It requires applicants for these plates to contribute $30 annually to the driver and vehicle services operating account instead of an unspecified fund. The change directly affects vehicle owners who purchase blackout special license plates for passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. The key provision specifies that these $30 contributions must be deposited into the highway user tax distribution fund, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter plate eligibility or fees, only the destination of the annual contribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to change driver's license suspension requirements for serious vehicle-related offenses. It requires automatic license suspension for drivers who violate specific criminal vehicular operation or homicide laws (such as driving under the influence causing injury or death), or who are formally charged with those offenses. The bill also creates a system where time served under a suspension counts toward any future license revocation period if the driver is later convicted. These changes apply to certifications made on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7.2 million for fiscal year 2025, $2.9 million for 2026, and $2.9 million for 2027 from the trunk highway fund to hire additional Minnesota State Patrol troopers. The funds cover staff salaries and equipment costs for these new troopers. It directly affects the Minnesota State Patrol by providing dedicated funding for expanding their personnel. This is a funding measure with no policy changes, solely supporting increased staffing levels.

Maddy summarySF 257 appropriates $1.95 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund food distribution through Second Harvest Heartland. It directly supports Minnesota's six Feeding America food banks and their affiliated food shelves by requiring funds to purchase milk (with $850,000 yearly), surplus produce from Minnesota farms, and protein products (like meat and eggs) from Minnesota processors. The bill mandates that all food must be sourced locally, specifies distribution formulas, and allows limited administrative costs (up to 15% for produce programs). Second Harvest Heartland must submit quarterly reports tracking fund usage, food purchases, and distribution to food banks.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the governor from including highway funds (from the trunk highway fund or highway user tax distribution fund) in the state budget for nonhighway purposes, such as non-transportation projects. It directly affects state agencies and the governor's budget office, requiring them to comply with constitutional limits on highway fund usage. Key provisions mandate a joint report from the commissioner of management and budget and the attorney general within 45 days of budget submission, examining all highway fund appropriations, explaining their highway purpose, and recommending proper funding if nonhighway uses are identified. The law ensures highway funds are used solely for highway construction, improvement, or maintenance as required by Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100 million from the general fund for the Corridors of Commerce program in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are directed to the Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner to support the program's existing operations under Minnesota Statutes section 161.088. The bill provides no new policy changes, only funding for a program focused on transportation infrastructure improvements.