Sen. Lindsey Port

Maddy summarySF 2552 modifies Minnesota's housing finance laws to expand access to housing assistance programs. The bill removes funding restrictions for workforce housing projects, clarifies eligible uses for housing aid funds, and expands eligibility criteria for certain rental assistance programs. It specifically amends statutes related to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's rental assistance program (462A.2095), including requiring statewide fund distribution proportional to eligible households and prioritizing households with children under 18. These changes directly affect housing providers, local program administrators, and low-income renters seeking housing assistance under state programs.

Maddy summarySF 2421 requires landlords in Minnesota to offer tenants an alternative payment method (like cash or check) if they cannot use a digital rent payment platform due to physical, technological, or financial barriers (such as lacking a bank account or card). Landlords must provide this alternative immediately upon request and cannot charge fees for using it or take adverse actions like eviction or late fees if the digital platform or alternative is unavailable. The law, effective August 1, 2025, applies to all landlords using digital platforms for rent payments and protects tenants from being penalized for payment issues beyond their control. It specifically amends Minnesota Statutes section 504B.118, subdivision 3.

Maddy summarySF 2745 establishes a statewide network of at least five regional housing navigators (one per region) to directly assist families using rental vouchers (like Section 8 housing) in finding suitable housing, communicating with landlords, and accessing resources. It creates a "housing choice voucher account" to fund incentives for affordable rental housing providers, covering costs such as signing bonuses, lease setup, holding units for voucher recipients, and repairs. The commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency must annually report to the legislature on improvements to voucher programs, focusing on portability, streamlined processes, consistent inspections, and program enhancements. These provisions aim to strengthen the housing voucher system for low-income renters and support housing providers.

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 2191 appropriates $553,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $553,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's diaper distribution program. The funds will be granted to the Diaper Bank of Minnesota through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This program provides diapers to low-income families across the state, directly aiding households facing financial barriers to essential hygiene products. The bill ensures continued funding for an existing service without creating new requirements or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's administrative disqualification process for child care providers receiving public assistance funds. It requires the Department of Human Services to provide 15-day written notice detailing the violation, proposed action, and appeal rights before disqualifying a provider. Providers can appeal within 30 days, with the agency bearing the burden of proof to show intentional violations (like kickbacks or false statements) by a preponderance of evidence. Disqualification periods are set at three years for a first offense and permanent for subsequent offenses, directly affecting providers participating in child care assistance programs.

Maddy summarySF 2681 appropriates $5 million for a manufactured home down payment assistance program and $5 million for a manufactured home park cooperative purchase program, both funded from Minnesota's housing development fund for fiscal year 2026. The down payment program provides grants to NeighborWorks Home Partners to help manufactured home buyers cover down payments, allowing combined use with other assistance. The cooperative program funds Northcountry Cooperative Foundation to help convert manufactured home parks to cooperative ownership through loans, subsidies, or guarantees, with a 30-year covenant requiring the land to remain a manufactured home park. These funds are one-time appropriations directly affecting manufactured home buyers and park owners seeking cooperative ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota housing and redevelopment authorities to create public corporations to purchase, own, and operate properties converted under the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. These corporations can receive funding through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) and will manage federally assisted housing properties. The bill directly affects local housing authorities and public housing residents whose properties undergo RAD conversion, enabling a new administrative structure for these properties. It amends statutes to establish this framework without changing tenant eligibility or rent structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts Minnesota's individual income tax brackets by increasing the income thresholds for each tax rate while keeping the rates unchanged. For example, the first tax rate of 5.35% now applies to married couples filing jointly earning up to $47,620 (up from $38,770), and single filers up to $32,570 (up from $26,520). It affects all Minnesota individual taxpayers who file income tax returns, including married couples, single filers, and heads of household. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill modifies specific sections of Minnesota Statutes related to tax rate schedules without altering the tax rates themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state government entities - including departments, counties, cities, and towns - to use federal standard time year-round starting in 2025, aligning with federal law. It modifies Minnesota Statutes to ensure all state laws reference federal standard time or advanced standard time (daylight saving time), prohibiting local time variations. The provision expires when federal law permits states to permanently adopt advanced standard time year-round. It directly affects how state operations and laws reference time, with no immediate cost or new authority for local governments.