Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summarySF 1214 prohibits the use of regional transportation sales tax funds for light rail or passenger rail projects. Specifically, it amends Minnesota law to block the Metropolitan Council from spending these tax proceeds on the Southwest light rail project (Green Line Extension) and other similar passenger rail initiatives. The prohibition applies until the expiration date of the Metropolitan Governance Task Force under 2023 law, after which the restriction would no longer be in effect. This bill directly affects how transit funding is allocated for rail projects.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill SF 1215 prohibits the sale of flavored nitrous oxide to consumers within Minnesota. The bill defines "flavored nitrous oxide" as containers that impart taste or smell and are sold by retailers, and it bans retailers from selling or offering these products to consumers in the state. Violating this prohibition is classified as a misdemeanor. The law directly affects retailers who currently sell flavored nitrous oxide canisters in Minnesota, including out-of-state retailers targeting Minnesota consumers. The bill does not include exceptions for medical or industrial use.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Minnesota's annual funding for public schools by raising the general education basic formula allowance by an additional 3% each year starting in fiscal year 2026. It directly affects all public school districts in Minnesota that receive state education funding under the basic formula. The key mechanism requires the state to calculate the annual increase as the greater of 3% or the inflation rate (based on the Consumer Price Index), but capped at 3%. This change amends existing statute to ensure schools receive predictable, inflation-adjusted funding while maintaining the state's constitutional obligation to fund public education. The bill takes effect for fiscal year 2026 and later.

Maddy summarySF 1038 appropriates $25 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to replace old aircraft shelters and build new universal shelters at the Duluth Air National Guard Base. The funding directly supports the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard by enabling infrastructure upgrades for their aircraft parking facilities. This one-time appropriation is specifically for removing existing single-bay shelters and constructing new, modern shelters at the Duluth base. The bill authorizes the state adjutant general to use these funds without further legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $318,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the Dakota County Historical Society to design and build the Heroes and Heritage Interpretive Trail Loop. The project will create a trail system connecting existing paved trails in South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Inver Grove Heights. The funding covers the design and construction phases of this local heritage trail project.

Maddy summarySF 1056 requires all Minnesota school district advisory committees to comply with Chapter 13D (the state's open meeting law) and provide public notice of all regular and special meetings. This bill directly affects school district advisory committees, which are responsible for community input on curriculum, academic standards, and equity initiatives. The key provision mandates that these committees, including any subcommittees, must follow public meeting procedures and publicly announce meeting times and locations in advance. The bill does not change the committees' composition or duties, only their meeting transparency requirements.

Maddy summarySF 996 prohibits organizations receiving state funding from spending money on political activities. It applies to any entity, including nonprofits, that gets state money through direct appropriations, grants, or competitive funding. The law bans all campaign expenditures or political spending by these organizations, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects nonprofits, schools, or community groups receiving state funds, preventing them from supporting political candidates or causes with public dollars.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 891 creates a property tax exemption for up to three acres of real property owned or leased by congressionally chartered veterans organizations that also operate as nonprofit community service organizations. The exemption applies if the property isn’t used residentially and either limits revenue-generating activities to six days yearly or requires annual charitable contributions equal to prior year’s property taxes. Property owners leasing to these organizations must apply by May 1 each year, and organizations must document charitable giving or host free community events. The exemption begins for 2026 property taxes and requires recordkeeping for assessors to verify eligibility.

Maddy summarySF 949 appropriates $3 million annually for 2026 and 2027 to fund registered special education apprenticeship programs in four specific intermediate school districts in Minnesota: 287, 288, 916, and 917. Each district receives $740,000 per year to support these programs. The funds cover program administration, apprentice stipends and tuition, mentor teacher stipends, and substitute teacher costs. This bill directly affects these districts and their special education apprenticeship participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Minnesota's "Success Incentive Aid Program," which provides extra state funding to public schools based on two performance metrics: graduation rates and college enrollment success. Schools receive funding if their graduation rate exceeds 90% (with points for each percentage point above 90%) and if over 90% of recent graduates enroll in in-state colleges without needing remedial courses. The amount each school receives is calculated by multiplying its combined metric scores by its total enrollment, then dividing by the total available program funds. The program begins funding for the 2026-2027 school year with specific appropriations for 2026 and 2027.