Sen. Paul Utke

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2929, the Consumers in Crisis Protection Act, regulates companies that fund lawsuits for individuals (consumers) in exchange for a share of any settlement or award. It directly affects consumers in civil cases and "consumer litigation funding companies" that provide these nonrecourse loans. Key provisions ban excessive fees (defined as any charges above the funded amount), require full disclosure of all costs, and impose civil penalties for violations. The bill excludes standard attorney contingency fees, nonprofit legal aid, and health insurance from its rules.

Maddy summarySF 2876 establishes a demonstration project to test a new coordinated care model for people with disabilities who are dual-eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. The bill requires the state commissioner to develop a request for applications, seeking partnerships between disability service providers, health care organizations, and managed care plans. Eligible participants must coordinate services across home care, primary care, dental, pharmacy, and crisis services while prioritizing patient choice and addressing health-related social needs. The project is funded through an appropriation and will measure outcomes like quality of care, cost savings, and access for enrolled individuals. This pilot program directly affects dual-eligible Minnesotans with disabilities and the service providers who coordinate their care.

Maddy summarySF 722 allows Minnesota individual income taxpayers to subtract health insurance premiums from their taxable income. The bill adds a new provision (Minnesota Statutes 290.0132, subdivision 36) specifying that premiums paid for health insurance - defined under federal law - can be deducted, excluding amounts used for other tax credits. This directly affects Minnesota residents who purchase health insurance individually or through their employers, reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota counties and municipalities to delay compliance with certain state mandates that require new spending without providing funding. It specifically applies to mandates affecting daily operations, resource allocation, or spending priorities - meaning local governments can choose not to follow these requirements until the state provides dedicated funding. Exceptions require compliance if costs are minor relative to the budget, or if the mandate relates to safety, health, or financial audits. The law takes effect for mandates active after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases reimbursement rates for diagnostic testing facilities providing long-term heart monitoring services. Specifically, it requires the state to pay these facilities 100% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rate (or higher) for external cardiac patch monitoring devices worn for 48+ hours, plus data interpretation to detect heart arrhythmias. The change applies to services starting January 1, 2026, and directly affects diagnostic testing facilities that offer this specific cardiac monitoring service. It does not change patient coverage or eligibility for the monitoring itself.

Maddy summarySF 721 modifies Minnesota's resident tuition eligibility rules for certain non-immigrant students without legal U.S. work authorization. It adds specific documentation requirements: students must have attended Minnesota high school for three+ years, graduated or earned an equivalent, and provide proof of selective service registration (if applicable) plus federal immigration application documentation (if a process exists). This directly affects non-immigrant students seeking resident tuition rates at Minnesota state universities and colleges. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 135A.043 (residency for tuition) and 136A.101 (definition of "resident student") to include these new conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $125,000 for livestock compensation (under Minn. Stat. § 3.737) and $125,000 for crop damage compensation (under Minn. Stat. § 3.7371) to help farmers affected by wildlife. It directly supports agricultural producers who suffer losses from damaged livestock or crops, including reimbursement for fair market value assessments and costs to investigate claims. The funds cover up to $40,000 in grants for elk-damage prevention measures on stored crops and allow limited transfers between programs if claims are unusually high. This one-time funding is available until June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2756) prohibits state-funded programs or activities from discriminating against people with disabilities by excluding them or denying equal access to benefits. It directly affects programs receiving state financial assistance, such as schools, healthcare services, or social programs, requiring state agencies to ensure compliance and adopt enforcement rules. The law explicitly states that these protections remain in effect regardless of changes to federal disability rights laws. It amends Minnesota Statutes to add a new section (363A.195) clarifying this prohibition.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $6.5 million in bonds to fund a new National Loon Center in Crosslake, Minnesota. The funds will be granted to the city of Crosslake to construct a building and outdoor public spaces - including visitor facilities, educational exhibits, and parking - for the center. The money comes from the state's bond proceeds fund, not new taxes, and the project must comply with Minnesota's bond issuance laws. The center will serve as a public education and visitor facility focused on loon conservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how dental services are administered for MinnesotaCare and medical assistance program enrollees. It requires the state to contract with a single dental administrator starting in 2030 to manage all dental services for these enrollees, including those in managed care or fee-for-service plans. The administrator must meet a performance benchmark (55% of continuously enrolled people receiving at least one dental visit annually) by 2032, or risk contract termination. To assess impacts on providers, it establishes a task force to study financial effects on critical access dental clinics serving low-income populations.