Sen. Jim Carlson

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $300,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund civic education programs through the YMCA Center for Youth Voice. It directly supports youth under 18 and teachers by requiring programs to teach constitutional principles, democratic foundations, and government structures. The funds cover teacher professional development, educational resources, and program support. The bill creates a specific funding mechanism for civic education without altering existing laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Burnsville as the "Elmstrand * Finseth * Ruge Heroes Memorial Bridge." It amends state law to formally name the Burnsville Parkway bridge over I-35W, honoring three local heroes. The provision requires the transportation commissioner to install appropriate signage marking the bridge, with no new funding or policy changes beyond the naming.

Maddy summarySF 2905 requires Minnesota's Department of Transportation (DOT) to use qualification-based selection - evaluating firms based on expertise rather than lowest cost - for road construction projects exceeding $800,000 annually in engineering fees. From October 2025 through March 2028, the DOT must apply this method to at least five projects each year, avoiding repeated projects across consecutive years. The bill mandates two reports: a preliminary review by October 2026 and a final report by October 2028, assessing impacts on project timelines, quality, change orders, and sustainability. It appropriates a one-time $ amount from the general fund for the pilot program and reporting, available until June 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue $22.25 million in general obligation bonds and $22.25 million in trunk highway bonds to fund the reconstruction of the interchange at Trunk Highway 13 and Nicollet Avenue in Burnsville. The funds will cover predesign, right-of-way acquisition, engineering, and construction of grade separation and safety improvements at this specific intersection. The project directly affects Burnsville residents, commuters, and local traffic flow by addressing capacity and safety needs at a major intersection. The legislation creates a funding mechanism through bond sales to finance the project, with proceeds deposited into designated state funds. It does not change existing laws or policies but provides specific budgetary authorization for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summarySF 2517 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Minnesota legislature asking Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. It requests that Congress send to the states a proposed amendment clarifying that states and Congress may set reasonable limits on money spent to influence elections, including distinguishing between natural persons (individuals) and artificial entities like corporations or unions. The resolution cites Minnesota's existing constitutional authority (Section 9 of Article VII) to limit campaign spending and argues that Supreme Court decisions have wrongly equated unlimited spending with free speech. This resolution does not change any laws itself but formally requests action from Congress.

Maddy summarySF 1788 appropriates $20 million from state bonds to fund grants for metropolitan cities in Minnesota to reduce stormwater and groundwater entering municipal wastewater systems (inflow and infiltration). Eligible cities must be identified by the Metropolitan Council as contributors of excessive inflow/infiltration or near allowable limits, and grants cover up to 50% of eligible capital improvement costs for system upgrades. The funds come from bonds issued under Minnesota law, with the Metropolitan Council distributing grants based on city applications and established guidelines. This directly affects cities within the metro area defined under Minnesota Statutes §473.121, focusing on infrastructure improvements to reduce strain on regional sewer systems.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 2332 authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DVS) to issue electronic driver's licenses that comply with national standards. It requires secure authentication for businesses or government entities (relying parties) accepting these licenses, prohibits tracking without consent, and mandates privacy protections for user data. Drivers must still carry a physical license while operating a vehicle but can present electronic versions without surrendering devices. Electronic credentials will incur an additional fee and expire according to existing license schedules. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with rulemaking starting immediately after enactment.

Maddy summarySF 2329 modifies Minnesota's Compensation Council rules by updating membership restrictions and procedural requirements. The bill clarifies that council members cannot be current judges, lobbyists, state government employees, former executive officers (like governors), or current legislators (or their spouses), and repeals a prior rule prohibiting "ex parte communications" during salary deliberations. It also adjusts the deadline for submitting judicial salary recommendations to April 1 in even-numbered years (correcting a typo in the bill text). This bill directly affects the Compensation Council, which sets salaries for judges, constitutional officers, agency heads, and the Direct Care and Treatment executive board. The changes streamline council operations but do not alter salary amounts or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota Senate resolution (SF 2335) requests Congress to propose a constitutional amendment reversing the Supreme Court's *Citizens United v. FEC* decision, which treated corporate spending in elections as protected speech. It asks Congress to clarify that constitutional rights apply only to natural persons (not corporations or other artificial entities) and to allow government to regulate campaign spending to ensure equal political access for all citizens. The resolution specifically proposes constitutional language requiring public disclosure of all campaign contributions and expenditures and permitting restrictions on spending to prevent wealth-based influence in elections. As a non-binding request, it directly addresses Congress and aims to reshape federal campaign finance rules without creating new state laws.

Maddy summarySF 2232 modifies Minnesota's election administration laws to improve accuracy and efficiency. It establishes detailed technology requirements for electronic rosters at polling places, requiring systems to verify voter eligibility, prevent duplicate voting, and provide clear instructions for election judges. The bill also changes absentee ballot application deadlines (allowing in-person submissions up to the day before an election but requiring mail applications to be received at least seven days prior) and mandates that nongovernment entities sending absentee materials include a specific notice. These changes apply directly to voters, election officials, and local election administrators across Minnesota.