Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to expand the definition of a "prior qualified human trafficking-related offense" for sentencing purposes. It changes the definition to include any prior conviction or adjudication for human trafficking-related violations committed at any time in a person's lifetime (not just within the past ten years), as well as similar offenses from other states. This affects individuals convicted of human trafficking crimes under Minnesota law or comparable out-of-state laws, potentially increasing sentencing severity based on broader prior offense history. The amendment applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 1159, changes Minnesota's state income tax law to allow veterans and surviving spouses of veterans to fully subtract their taxable Social Security benefits from their state taxable income. Currently, most taxpayers face income-based phaseouts that reduce this subtraction; this bill removes that limitation specifically for veterans and surviving spouses. It directly affects eligible veterans and surviving spouses who receive Social Security benefits and file Minnesota state income tax returns. The change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and eliminates the income thresholds that previously reduced the subtraction amount for this group.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10.8 million from state bond proceeds to reconstruct County State-Aid Highway 50 from Kenrick Avenue to Klamath Trail in Dakota County, as part of the Interstate 35 interchange project. The funds will cover design, construction, right-of-way acquisition, pedestrian/bike facilities, utility relocation, and stormwater management for the corridor. Dakota County and the city of Lakeville are the direct recipients for these mobility and safety improvements. The state will issue up to $10.8 million in bonds under existing statutes to finance this project, effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 185 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the homestead market value exclusion from $150,000 to $250,000 for veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating, and from $300,000 to $450,000 for veterans with a total (100%) permanent disability. The bill also allows surviving spouses of qualifying veterans to continue receiving the higher exclusion amount ($450,000) if they reside in the home and meet specific conditions. Primary family caregivers approved by the VA may also qualify for the exclusion on the veteran's homestead. This policy directly affects veterans, their spouses, and designated caregivers who own qualifying property in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases criminal penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, or health providers in hospital emergency departments who suffer demonstrable bodily harm. Currently, assaulting firefighters or EMS with bodily harm is a gross misdemeanor (up to 2 years or $4,000 fine), but the bill elevates this to a felony (up to 3 years or $6,000 fine). It also expands protections to include physicians, nurses, and other health care providers working in hospital emergency departments. The law takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to assaults committed on or after that date.

Maddy summarySF 1323 modifies the mission of Minnesota's Math Corps program, which provides math instruction support to elementary and middle school students and teachers through ServeMinnesota AmeriCorps members. The bill requires the program to use a "data-based problem-solving model" for instructional support, focusing on foundational math skills to meet state standards and workforce expectations. It appropriates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for 2027 (with unused 2026 funds rolling over to 2027) to support the program. The bill also mandates a biennial report to education committees evaluating the program's effectiveness in accelerating student learning.

Maddy summarySF 1330 requires that if an inmate in a county jail or similar local facility assaults a sheriff or deputy, the new sentence for the assault must run consecutively to any prior sentence. This means the person cannot have time served for earlier offenses counted toward the new assault sentence and must serve the full consecutive term in a state facility. The bill directly affects inmates in local correctional facilities who commit assaults against law enforcement officers, changing their sentencing rules under Minnesota Statutes 609.2232. It applies to assaults committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota's 0.25% metropolitan region sales and use tax, which applied to retail purchases in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (specifically the 8-county region). The tax, established under Minnesota Statutes 297A.9925, funded housing assistance programs by distributing proceeds to state rent assistance and county housing accounts. The repeal takes effect July 1, 2025, removing this dedicated revenue source for housing aid in the metropolitan area. This is a direct policy change eliminating a specific local tax and its funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $40.8 million in state bond funds to construct bridges and interchanges on Interstate 35 at Dakota County State-Aid Highway 50 (CSAH 50) in Lakeville, Minnesota. It covers environmental analysis, design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of two bridges over CSAH 50 plus associated ramps. The funds will come from bonds sold by the state under Minnesota law, with proceeds deposited into the trunk highway fund. The project directly affects Lakeville residents and commuters using this specific I-35 interchange by improving traffic flow and safety at the intersection.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public safety officers in Minnesota to accept certain gifts after a colleague dies while performing their duties. It permits gifts like money, property, plaques, or services given within 24 months of the death, provided they honor the deceased officer or boost team morale. The law overrides existing restrictions in statutes 10A.071 and 471.895 for these specific circumstances. It directly affects public safety officers whose colleagues died in the line of duty and the communities or organizations giving such gifts. The policy change takes effect after final enactment for gifts given on or after that date.