Sen. Lindsey Port

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota's medical assistance program pays birth centers for maternity services. Currently, birth centers receive 70% of hospital rates for uncomplicated births; the bill changes this to 100% of hospital rates starting January 1, 2027 (or after federal approval). It also adjusts payments for nursery care and professional services provided by licensed midwives, requiring full reimbursement for comprehensive maternal care within a birth center's scope. The changes directly affect licensed birth centers and the state's medical assistance program, which covers low-income residents' healthcare.

Maddy summarySF 2087 prohibits landlords in Minnesota from using tenant screening software that relies on nonpublic competitor data (like actual rent prices or occupancy rates from other landlords) to set rental rates. It also bans screening tools that disproportionately affect protected classes (such as race or gender) under Minnesota’s fair housing laws. The bill amends state law to make landlords liable for violations, allowing tenants to seek $1,000 or actual damages plus legal fees. It applies to all residential rental units and takes effect August 1, 2025. This directly affects landlords, property management companies, and the tenant screening software industry operating in Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 1598 repeals a Minnesota statute (471.9998) that currently prohibits local governments from banning paper, plastic, or reusable bags provided by merchants. If enacted, this bill would allow cities and counties to implement their own bag bans, directly affecting local governments and businesses that provide bags to customers. The key mechanism is removing the state-level prohibition, enabling municipalities to regulate bag use without state interference. This change would apply to all localities within Minnesota, shifting authority from the state to local jurisdictions. The bill does not create new bag rules but removes a barrier to local action.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 3254 is a joint resolution asking Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention focused on campaign finance reform. It directs Minnesota to apply to Congress by December 31, 2026, if Congress hasn't proposed a campaign finance amendment by then, seeking a convention limited to regulating money's influence in elections to ensure transparency and prevent corruption. The resolution specifies that Minnesota's application must be counted with similar applications from other states to reach the two-thirds threshold needed to trigger a convention, but cannot be combined with applications on other topics. This is a procedural request - not a law - and Minnesota retains the right to reject any proposed amendment from the convention.

Maddy summaryThe YIGBY Housing Act requires cities to allow religious organizations to build residential housing on their owned land with specific limits: up to 3 units in most residential zones, up to 8 units in non-single-family zones, and more in commercial/high-density areas. It mandates minimum density standards (at least 1.25x current zoning density) and requires developments to meet "affordable housing" criteria, such as a percentage of units for households earning 50-60% of area median income. This directly affects religious organizations seeking to expand housing and cities managing zoning regulations. The bill restricts local governments from blocking these developments under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits health insurers and third-party administrators to a six-month window to adjust or recoup payments to healthcare providers after a claim is paid, except for fraud, duplicate claims, or coordination of benefits cases (which get a 12-month limit). It requires insurers to provide healthcare providers with a written statement detailing the reason for any adjustment related to coordination of benefits, including the responsible entity's name and address. Providers affected by such adjustments gain 180 days to dispute the recoupment. The law directly impacts health plan companies, third-party administrators, and healthcare providers handling insurance claims in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding resolution passed by the Minnesota State Senate. It urges Congress to reject any federal proposals that would reduce Medicare or Social Security benefits, citing concerns about impacts on Minnesota seniors (over 1 million residents), disabled individuals, and veterans. The resolution specifically condemns actions that would diminish these programs and directs the Secretary of State to send it to congressional leaders. It does not create new law or alter program benefits, but formally expresses the Senate's support for maintaining these programs' current strength.

Maddy summarySF 905 requires political committees, parties, and other groups spending over $10,000 in an election cycle to disclose the original source of campaign funds. It defines "covered entities" as organizations meeting this spending threshold and mandates they track and report the identity of individuals or businesses providing "personal funds" (like salary or investments) or "business income" used for campaign spending. Covered entities must maintain detailed records of fund origins and submit this information to the state election board, which will post it publicly on a dedicated website. This bill amends Minnesota campaign finance laws to increase transparency about the ultimate donors behind campaign spending, excluding individual candidates using only their own funds and small entities receiving under $5,000 from any single donor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota hospitals to maintain registered nurse staffing levels that meet nationally recognized, evidence-based standards. It mandates hospitals to create and publicly share staffing plans specifying patient-to-nurse ratios for each unit, with flexibility to adjust for patient safety needs. The bill also prohibits hospitals from retaliating against nurses who raise staffing concerns and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance. These requirements apply to all licensed hospitals in Minnesota and aim to ensure adequate staffing for patient safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $8,550,000 from state bond proceeds to fund upgrades at Burnsville's water treatment plant. It directly affects the city of Burnsville, providing funds for specific infrastructure improvements including electrical component replacement, water line upgrades, and surface water treatment process enhancements. The mechanism involves the state selling bonds up to the requested amount, with the funds granted to Burnsville via the Public Facilities Authority. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, focused solely on financing the plant's physical renovations. The appropriation is effective upon final enactment.