Sen. Eric Pratt

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota's commissioner to approve youth skills training programs specifically in construction trades, requiring these programs to operate only at central locations like training facilities. It exempts students in these approved programs from conflicting child labor laws under Minnesota Statutes section 181A.07, subdivision 7. The policy directly affects minors participating in construction trades training by enabling structured, location-based apprenticeships. It creates a clear pathway for youth to gain industry skills while complying with labor regulations. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 175.46 to add these requirements.

Maddy summarySF 2120 establishes a funding formula to distribute $12.662 million in fiscal year 2026 for community supervision programs across Minnesota counties, Tribal Nations, and certain jurisdictions. It provides a base $150,000 per jurisdiction plus funding calculated using a $5.62 daily rate multiplied by population data from probation surveys, with a reduced rate (50%) for misdemeanor and juvenile cases. Tribal Nations receive an annual $250,000 base allocation for probation services, plus additional funding based on the same population formula. The bill ensures funding adjustments if appropriations differ from calculated needs and expires June 30, 2029.

Maddy summarySF 1970 modifies how Minnesota public utilities recover costs for electric generation and transmission assets. It requires utilities to include detailed assessments of how new assets impact system reliability during peak demand, plus calculations of seasonal load capacity, when filing for cost recovery. The Public Utility Commission must then evaluate these assessments and specify which costs (including rate of return) are recoverable through customer rates. This applies to both adding new assets and retiring existing ones, directly affecting utilities like Xcel Energy and their Minnesota ratepayers through future rate adjustments.

Maddy summarySF 2897 establishes a Commission on Government Efficiency and Ethics to investigate fraud in state programs and undisclosed legislative conflicts of interest. The commission, made up of six citizen members appointed by legislative leaders, will operate a public hotline and website for anonymous reports on fraud or conflicts, and may award up to $5,000 for reports leading to convictions or expulsions. It can order forensic audits of state agencies and require cooperation from public officials and entities handling public funds during investigations. The commission must report credible evidence of fraud to law enforcement and disclose conflict of interest findings to relevant legislative committees, with annual recommendations for preventing future issues. This bill directly affects state agencies, public officials, and legislators by creating new oversight mechanisms for accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Independent School District No. 720 (Shakopee) to the list of Minnesota school districts eligible for the alternative facilities revenue program under state law. Starting in fiscal year 2027, Shakopee School District will qualify to access long-term facilities maintenance revenue to fund school building maintenance and improvements. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include Shakopee as a "qualifying alternative facilities district" for this specific revenue program. This change directly affects Shakopee's ability to secure dedicated funding for school facility upkeep.

Maddy summarySF 178 appropriates $25 million annually for town road maintenance and $10 million annually for town bridge maintenance in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, funded from the state's general fund. The bill directs the commissioner of transportation to distribute these funds according to existing rules under Minnesota Statutes section 162.081. This funding supports local governments responsible for maintaining town-level roads and bridges, without creating new requirements or altering current distribution methods. It is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summarySF 2456 allocates $5 million in fiscal year 2026 to provide a grant to a specific biomass energy plant in Shakopee. The funds will cover equipment to process and dispose of wood infested with emerald ash borers, which the plant uses in its energy production process. This equipment will enable the plant to safely handle the infested wood as part of its operations, which involve using waste heat from electricity generation in the malting process. The bill directly affects this plant by providing targeted funding for disposal infrastructure.

Maddy summarySF 2817 requires Minnesota public school athletic teams to be designated as "male," "female," or "coed" based solely on participants' biological sex at birth. It directly affects all school-sponsored interscholastic, intramural, and club athletic programs in Minnesota. The bill mandates that teams designated for females must only include participants who were biologically female at birth, with no exceptions for transgender or non-binary students. This policy change alters how schools organize and admit students to gender-specific sports teams.

Maddy summarySF 2812 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support Minnesota's thoroughbred racing culture. The funding is directed to the commissioner of administration for grants to a licensed Class A racetrack that primarily conducts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 240. The bill requires these grants to expand opportunities for Minnesota racehorses at the racetrack. This directly affects licensed racetracks meeting specific criteria, with no broader public impact specified.

Maddy summarySF 2822 modifies Minnesota's requirements for conventional mortgage documents. It mandates that lenders print promissory notes and mortgages in at least 8-point type, provide borrowers with conformed copies at signing or shortly after, and give detailed written notice of defaults before foreclosure (including a 30-day cure period and specific consequences). The bill directly affects lenders making conventional loans and borrowers in Minnesota. Compliance is optional for mortgages dated between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, with retroactive effect from July 31, 2024.