Sen. Erin Maye Quade

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $40 million from state bond proceeds to fund improvements at Apple Valley's water treatment plant specifically to remove PFAS chemicals (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from the city's drinking water. The funds will cover predesign, construction, and equipment for renovating and expanding the plant. The money comes from bonds authorized under Minnesota law, with the Public Facilities Authority granting the funds directly to Apple Valley. This directly affects Apple Valley residents by addressing PFAS contamination in their drinking water supply.

Maddy summarySF 3641 appropriates $30 million in state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at the Minnesota Zoo. The funds will directly support the Minnesota Zoological Board for replacing outdated buildings, constructing trails/roads, and renovating animal exhibits to meet modern welfare standards, safety requirements, and guest experience goals. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $30 million in bonds under existing bond laws to cover these specific infrastructure upgrades. This legislation focuses on preserving and modernizing the zoo's physical assets, not on operational funding or new programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases county program aid to help counties cover costs from changes in federal SNAP (food stamp) eligibility rules. It directly affects counties administering SNAP-related programs and school districts receiving state education funding. The key mechanism establishes a new "SNAP adjustment factor" that automatically adjusts school funding based on changes in the number of students qualifying for free meals through SNAP. This ensures schools receive additional state funds when federal SNAP policy shifts reduce direct certification rates, stabilizing their revenue. The change applies to school funding starting in fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's legal definition of "chemically dependent person" used in civil commitment cases. It removes a specific provision that previously included pregnant women who used certain substances (like opioids, cocaine, or alcohol) for nonmedical reasons during pregnancy. The change narrows the definition to focus solely on current impairment and safety risks, such as recent threats of self-harm or failure to obtain basic needs. This affects individuals subject to civil commitment proceedings for substance use issues. The amendment takes effect the day after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota cities and counties to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections, such as mayoral or city council races. It establishes procedures for local jurisdictions to implement RCV, including rules for how voters rank candidates and how votes transfer if no candidate receives a majority. The bill also permits local governments to use electronic voting systems with reallocation features and creates new definitions and voting procedures under Chapter 204E of Minnesota law. It does not require RCV adoption but provides the legal framework for jurisdictions that choose to implement it.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules requiring creators to pay minors who appear in their compensated online videos, with the money placed in a trust account until the minor turns 18. It defines "content creation" as video shared for pay and sets specific criteria, such as a 30 percent appearance threshold, to determine when a minor is officially working in this field. Under the law, creators must keep detailed records of a minor's earnings and viewing statistics, while minors under 14 must receive all their share of the compensation. The legislation also clarifies that incidental appearances in public events like sports games do not trigger these payment requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funding for Minnesota's human services programs, including aging services, disability support, healthcare, substance use treatment, and homelessness prevention. It directly affects nursing home workers, healthcare providers, and vulnerable populations served by these programs. Key provisions require the state board to investigate nursing home wage and benefit data to establish minimum employment standards for workers, effective January 2025. The bill also mandates reports, task forces, and technical adjustments to multiple human services statutes without creating new programs.

Maddy summarySF 3461 proposes adding a new constitutional amendment to Minnesota's Constitution that guarantees all persons equal rights under state law and prohibits state discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including protections for pregnancy decisions, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If approved by voters in 2026, this amendment would make state actions denying equal rights illegal unless they are the least restrictive way to achieve a compelling government purpose. The amendment applies to all state agencies and political subdivisions, and it explicitly states it does not limit existing constitutional rights or prevent anti-discrimination laws. The proposed wording would be submitted to voters as "Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment" in the 2026 general election, with ratification taking effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund for Dakota County's Community Development Agency to support the Expo 2031 host organization. The funds can cover licensing fees, development planning, and reimbursements for expenses incurred by the agency or host organization. The appropriation is contingent on approval by two international bodies (the International Association of Horticultural Producers and the Bureau International des Expositions); if denied, the money transfers to the Minnesota Investment Fund. This is a one-time allocation with unused funds carrying over to the second year.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SF 3478) introduced by Minnesota legislators urging the President and Congress to fully fund Medicaid and oppose federal cuts. It directly addresses federal officials, emphasizing that Medicaid covers 1.2 million Minnesotans - including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and disproportionately serves Black and American Indian communities (covering 80% of Black births and 90% of American Indian births). The resolution states that deep Medicaid cuts would jeopardize care for vulnerable populations, strain Minnesota’s budget, and undermine state health care innovations. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the legislature’s position but does not change federal policy.