Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's requirements for publishing public notices. It requires local governments to post notices online on their own websites and the Minnesota Newspaper Association's statewide public notice website when no qualified newspaper is available for publication. The online posting must continue until a qualified newspaper can be identified, with no additional cost to the local government. This change applies to public notices mandated by law, rule, or ordinance.

Maddy summarySF 2534 allows cities and counties in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties to formally opt out of the Metropolitan Council's regulatory authority over local development and infrastructure. To do so, a local government must pass a resolution filing with the Council, after which it is exempt from metropolitan system plans and requirements starting January 1 following the filing. The bill also specifies that opting out does not exempt local governments from certain transit-related taxes in designated districts, and they may later opt back in after a four-year waiting period. This change directly affects local governments seeking greater autonomy over their own planning and development decisions within the metropolitan region.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $240 million from the general fund for one-time grants to replace lead service lines connecting water mains to homes. The funds, available until June 30, 2033, will be administered by the Public Facilities Authority under state law. It directly affects communities and homeowners with lead pipes, which pose health risks, by providing financial support for their replacement. The key mechanism is a state grant program targeting the physical infrastructure upgrade of aging water service lines.

Maddy summarySF 1940 makes Minnesota's paramedic scholarship program permanent, extending it beyond its 2026 expiration. The bill appropriates $3.2 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund up to 600 annual scholarships for students entering paramedic programs. It requires the Office of Higher Education to report yearly on scholarship distribution, program locations, paramedic workforce demand, and recipient demographics. This directly affects paramedic students in Minnesota by providing financial support for their education. The program replaces the previous temporary funding structure with ongoing legislative authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $275,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for a veterans memorial in Forest Lake. The funds will be granted to the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee to construct a memorial honoring U.S. armed forces veterans at Lakeside Memorial Park. The bill directly affects the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee and the city of Forest Lake, providing specific funding for this project in fiscal year 2026. It is a procedural appropriation bill with no new policy requirements beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for state funding to school districts operating special education separate sites (facilities where students with disabilities attend 50%+ of their school day). Previously, only education cooperatives or districts under specific sections qualified; this bill explicitly adds school districts meeting the site definition to the eligible entities. It sets a funding rate of $1,689 per pupil unit for students served in qualifying programs, effective for fiscal year 2026 and later. The bill appropriates funds for FY2026-2027 to support this expanded funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $97 million from state bonds to fund a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters in the metropolitan area. The funds will cover acquiring property, construction, design, equipment, and space for offices, training, evidence storage, and vehicle operations. It authorizes the state to sell bonds up to this amount under existing bond laws to finance the project. The bill directly affects the State Patrol's operations and the communities where the new facility will be located.

Maddy summarySF 802 requires Minnesota public schools and charter schools to designate restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and showers for exclusive use based on biological sex, defined as a person's chromosomes and anatomy. It specifically prohibits students with a Y chromosome from using facilities designated for females. The bill also sets rules for athletic teams, allowing sex-segregated teams only if athletic opportunities for that sex were previously limited, while requiring equal resources for comparable teams. These provisions apply to all public schools in Minnesota, directly affecting student access to facilities and sports programs.

Maddy summarySF 2118 allocates $800,000 annually for 2026 and 2027 to fund economic and financial literacy education in Minnesota public schools. The bill provides grants to the Minnesota Council on Economic Education to support professional development for K-12 teachers implementing financial education standards, develop curriculum resources, and run student programs. It specifically targets teachers in grades 9-12 delivering personal finance instruction and requires annual reports detailing training participation, program content, and research on program effectiveness. The funding directly affects Minnesota teachers and students by expanding access to financial literacy education resources and teacher training.

Maddy summaryHF 72 prohibits entities or organizations receiving state funding from making campaign expenditures or spending money on political activities. It directly affects nonprofits and other groups that receive state funds through direct appropriations, competitive grants, or other legislatively named funding programs. The law bans using any state-funded money for political purposes, including supporting candidates or ballot measures, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change aims to separate public funds from political campaign activities.