Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summaryThis bill allows firefighters who are also certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, or paramedics to obtain special license plates for their personal vehicles. To qualify, applicants must provide certification from the Office of Emergency Medical Services, a letter from their fire chief confirming department membership, and pay applicable fees. The special plates can only be used while the owner maintains both qualifications, and must be removed if they lose either certification or fire department membership. Fees collected go to the state's driver and vehicle services account, and plates may be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same qualified individual. The policy applies to passenger cars, one-ton pickup trucks, and motorcycles owned by qualifying individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax code to allow certain debt discharges to be subtracted from taxable income for property tax refund and renter's tax credit purposes. It adds a new subtraction provision (Section 290.0132, Subd. 36) for debt discharges awarded under section 332.74, subdivision 3 (related to "coerced debt"). Taxpayers receiving these specific debt discharges will no longer count that amount as income when calculating eligibility for property tax refunds or the renter's income tax credit. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summarySF 482 extends Minnesota's short-call substitute teacher pilot program until June 30, 2027 (from its original 2025 expiration). The program allows school districts to grant temporary substitute teaching licenses to eligible staff, including those with an associate's degree and district training or a high school diploma with one year as a paraprofessional. Under this program, schools must provide substitute training, cannot retaliate against staff who decline to apply for the license, and must pay eligible substitutes at least $200 per day or their regular rate. This extension preserves the existing framework for recruiting and compensating substitute teachers while maintaining program requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commerce Commissioner to apply for a federal waiver to continue the state's "premium security plan" (a health insurance program) after 2027, with an application due by December 31, 2026. It also authorizes a one-time transfer of $413 million from the state's general fund to the premium security plan account in fiscal year 2026. The plan provides health coverage to eligible Minnesotans, and this funding ensures continued operation and access to federal support. The bill directly affects participants in Minnesota's premium security plan and the state's budget management.

Maddy summarySF 801 modifies Minnesota's teacher licensing rules for educators licensed in other states. It exempts these teachers from retaking subject-matter exams if they passed equivalent tests in their home state, eliminating redundant testing. The bill also shortens the probationary employment period from three years to one year for teachers with three consecutive years of experience (in Minnesota or another state). These changes streamline licensure for out-of-state educators while maintaining Minnesota's licensing standards.

Maddy summarySF 797 prohibits public school libraries from containing pornographic material and bans sexually explicit content in libraries of public elementary schools. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes by adding a new section requiring school libraries to remove such materials. It directly affects all public school libraries statewide, with stricter rules applying specifically to elementary school libraries. The law focuses on defined material categories rather than broader book restrictions.

Maddy summarySF 752 requires transit councils to obtain written approval from affected cities, counties, and towns before proceeding with guideway projects (like bus rapid transit or streetcar infrastructure, excluding light rail). It mandates public hearings at both the transit council and local government levels, with municipalities having 45 days to approve or disapprove plans, and requiring specific change requests if disapproved. Crucially, the transit council cannot apply for federal funding until all local governments along the route have approved the plans. This bill directly affects local governments along transit routes and transit planning bodies like the Metropolitan Council, applying to all current and future guideway projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million for the Safe Routes to School program in fiscal year 2026 and another $20 million in 2027, totaling $40 million from the general fund. It directly funds infrastructure improvements like sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes near schools to make walking or biking safer for Minnesota students. The funding is allocated to the commissioner of transportation to implement the program under Minnesota Statutes, section 174.40. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely expanding existing program resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 638) amends Minnesota law to create a new misdemeanor offense for knowingly entering or being found in a stolen motor vehicle. It directly affects individuals who enter a vehicle they know was stolen, such as passengers or drivers who were not involved in the initial theft but are aware of its stolen status. The law imposes a misdemeanor penalty for the first offense and elevates it to a gross misdemeanor for repeat violations. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and modifies existing provisions under Minnesota Statutes section 609.52.

Maddy summarySF 244 proposes establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Minnesota for eligible students. It would provide state funds to parents for qualifying education expenses at approved providers (like private schools, tutors, or online programs), targeting families with incomes under four times the reduced-price lunch threshold. Key provisions include a cap on participants (starting at 5% of public school enrollment, increasing by 3% annually), priority for kindergarten students and siblings already in the program, and strict definitions of allowable expenses like tuition, curriculum materials, tutoring, and up to $400/year for supplies. The bill explicitly excludes reimbursement for parents providing home instruction.