Sen. Jim Carlson

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how certain firearm permit data is handled in Minnesota. It makes specific information public, including permit revocations/suspensions and details when a permit holder dies by firearm suicide or during police use of force. Sheriffs must delete most permit records annually but must keep records of denied/revoked permits (for six years), voided permits due to legal prohibitions, and death-related cases (for six years after the event). These changes directly affect permit applicants, current permit holders, and law enforcement agencies managing firearm permit records. The bill focuses on data classification and retention rules, not new firearm restrictions.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2970 requires all Minnesota public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily upon written request from students or their representatives. Plant-based meals must exclude all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish) and meet federal nutrition standards, while schools must make the request process accessible to students and families. The requirement begins for the 2026-2027 school year, with schools reporting annually on implementation, including request volumes and challenges. The Minnesota Department of Education will develop implementation guidelines and monitor compliance.

Maddy summarySF 513 establishes a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention within Minnesota's Department of Health. The office will coordinate evidence-based efforts to reduce gun violence, conduct research, collect and report statewide data on gun incidents and deaths, run public health campaigns, support victims, and build partnerships with local and national experts. It requires an annual report to the legislature on the office's activities and appropriates funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these efforts. The bill directly affects state health and public safety agencies and the public through its prevention and data-sharing mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines in Minnesota, directly affecting firearm owners and dealers. It defines prohibited weapons by listing specific models like AK-47s and AR-15s, while also including firearms with certain features such as pistol grips, folding stocks, or magazines holding more than ten rounds. The law establishes criminal penalties for violating the ban and amends existing state statutes to clarify what constitutes a prohibited weapon.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits when supervised individuals in Minnesota must submit to urinalysis drug tests by requiring reasonable suspicion of illicit drug use and documentation of that suspicion in the supervision authority's case management system. It directly affects people on parole, supervised release, or conditional release by establishing new conditions for drug testing under their supervision. The legislation also prohibits revoking release or sanctioning individuals solely for participating in the cannabis registry program or testing positive for cannabis components or metabolites. Additionally, the bill allows the commissioner of corrections to prohibit certain individuals from using specific cannabis products if they undergo a chemical use assessment and abstinence is recommended for their level of care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires food manufacturers and brand owners to test packaged food products for ortho-phthalates (a group of chemicals used in plastics) and report the results to Minnesota's Department of Agriculture. It applies to most packaged foods sold in the state, excluding fresh meat, deli cheese, bakery items, and produce sold at retail locations. Manufacturers must submit detailed reports including the product's UPC code, test results showing detectable levels or absence of ortho-phthalates, lab accreditation details, and testing methodology. The reporting requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, and testing must be conducted by laboratories accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

Maddy summarySF 1480 would require all-electric vehicle owners in Minnesota to pay a new road usage charge based on miles driven within the state, in addition to existing registration fees. The charge is calculated using a formula comparing Minnesota's gasoline tax rates to the vehicle's "analogous fuel economy" (using EPA data for similar vehicles), with a base rate of $0.065 per mile. This applies to all-electric vehicles registered for periods starting before June 30, 2026, and creates a new system managed by the state with account providers handling billing. The revenue must be deposited into the highway user tax fund, replacing the previous $75 electric vehicle surcharge. The bill also mandates a report on the program's implementation.

Maddy summarySF 2080 designates the pea (Pisum sativum) as Minnesota's official state vegetable. The bill requires a photograph of a pea to be displayed in the Office of the Secretary of State. This is a ceremonial, non-substantive bill with no practical impact on laws, regulations, or people's lives - it solely adds a symbolic designation to state government. It does not affect agriculture, policy, or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the market value exclusion for qualifying veterans' primary homes from $150,000 to $165,000 (for 70%+ disability) and from $300,000 to $330,000 (for total/permanent disability). To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a VA-certified disability rating of 70% or higher, and own the home as their primary residence. The bill also extends this tax benefit to surviving spouses and primary family caregivers under specific conditions.

Maddy summarySF 1904 allows owners of all-electric vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and dynamic shoulder lanes without paying a fee, provided they display a $24 decal issued by the state. The bill requires EV owners to apply for the decal (valid for four years, non-transferable) and specifies that only single-occupant all-electric vehicles qualify. It also mandates public outreach through signage, websites, auto dealers, and vehicle registration materials to inform owners about the program. This policy directly affects EV owners who wish to use these lanes without additional charges, while maintaining existing HOV lane rules for other vehicles.