Sen. Alice Mann

Maddy summarySF 775 establishes a new ombudsperson position within Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development to support agricultural and food processing workers. The ombudsperson will help workers address workplace safety, housing, and fair labor issues by taking complaints, connecting them to services, and analyzing systemic problems. They must post verified complaints online and submit annual reports to the legislature detailing their work. This bill directly affects Minnesota's agricultural and food processing workers, who often face challenges in these areas.

Maddy summarySF 1689 increases funding for dementia support programs by appropriating $750,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $750,000 for fiscal year 2027. The bill directs these funds to the Minnesota Board on Aging, which administers regional and local dementia grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.975, subdivision 11. This funding directly supports community-based dementia care services provided through local and regional programs. The bill makes a concrete policy change by securing specific annual funding levels for these existing grant programs.

Maddy summarySF 1732 establishes a state grant program to fund family permanent supportive housing for vulnerable households. It provides $15,000 per family to nonprofit organizations or Tribal governments operating housing that is affordable (at or below 30% of area median income), non-time-limited, and offers specialized services like child education, mental health referrals, job training, and 24/7 on-site staffing. The program requires grantees to serve 60% of families in the seven-county metro area and 40% outside it, with at least 10% served by Tribal Nations. Funds are a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, available until June 2027, and grantees must report annually on families served and services provided.

Maddy summarySF 276 requires Minnesota's medical assistance programs (like Medicaid) to cover violence prevention services starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects individuals who have experienced community violence (e.g., injury or trauma symptoms) and certified violence prevention providers, including those offering counseling, peer support, conflict mediation, and care coordination. The bill establishes provider certification standards through the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, sets a minimum $25 per 15-minute service payment rate, and defines eligible services that must prevent future violence or improve health outcomes. This policy change expands coverage for trauma-informed violence prevention services within existing healthcare frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-administered prescription drug purchasing program to negotiate lower prices for medical assistance (Minnesota's Medicaid program) and MinnesotaCare enrollees. The commissioner of human services will oversee the program, requiring drug manufacturers to provide discounts and rebates through price negotiations and maintaining a list of recommended drugs at the best prices. Pharmacies serving these enrollees must participate under set terms, including all medical assistance providers and licensed pharmacies agreeing to the program rules. The program is scheduled to begin January 1, 2026, or after federal approval.

Maddy summarySF 1588 allows the city of Bloomington to issue on-sale beer and wine licenses to its municipally owned Dwan Golf Course, which currently cannot serve alcohol. The city would act as the licensee under Minnesota liquor laws, applying rules similar to those for municipal liquor stores. This change would enable the golf course to serve beer and wine on-site, effective after Bloomington approves the license and meets state administrative requirements.

Maddy summarySF 91 makes a temporary rule about child care center staffing permanent. It requires Minnesota's commissioner of children, youth, and families to permanently amend licensing rules allowing child care centers to use teacher's aides under specific conditions. This change directly affects licensed child care centers statewide by modifying their staffing requirements for teacher's aides. The rule change takes effect immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySF 1609 clarifies a process for people convicted of certain felony murders to seek retroactive relief. It allows individuals convicted under Minnesota Statutes sections 609.185 (paragraph a, clause 3) or 609.19 (subdivision 2, clause 1) to petition courts if they prove they didn’t cause the death and either didn’t intentionally aid the killing or weren’t a major participant in the underlying felony. If approved, courts must vacate the original murder conviction and resentence the person for the most serious remaining offense, a related felony, or a lesser included offense. The bill ensures sentences don’t increase total confinement time and requires victim notification for any resentencing hearing.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at the Edina Aquatic Center. The funds will support major projects like replacing outdated mechanical or electrical systems, upgrading utility infrastructure, and making site renovations - including energy conservation upgrades - to maintain operations. The money is provided as a grant to the City of Edina through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The state will issue bonds up to $10.5 million to cover this appropriation, effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in two specific Edina park projects: Fred Richards Park (per its master plan) and Braemar Park (per its master plan). It exempts materials purchased between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2029, from Minnesota's sales and use tax, with refunds processed after June 30, 2025. The state treasury will reimburse the exemption amount from the general fund, and the exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after December 31, 2023. This directly affects contractors and developers working on these designated park improvements in Edina.