Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summarySF 738 modifies Minnesota's education innovation zone and P-TECH school program rules. It adds "work-based schools" and "place-based learning" to the list of approved experiential learning programs under statute 124D.085. The bill requires school districts to publicly adopt and review innovation zone plans detailing program structure, enrollment, and evaluation methods, and to post these plans online. For P-TECH schools, it mandates specific application components like written agreements with partners, descriptions of regional economic support, and facility details. These changes clarify procedures but do not alter funding or grant approval authority for existing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota public school districts to include detailed safety plans in their long-term facility plans, covering physical modifications for student/staff safety and gender-neutral restrooms at each school. It creates school security grants to fund multilayered security systems, mandating approved vendors to install specific features like classroom duress alarms, bullet-resistant doors, emergency notification systems, and access controls. The grants prioritize schools serving the most students across all geographic regions, with applications due by August 1, 2025. Public school districts (excluding charter schools for facility plans) and charter schools (for grants) are directly affected, with plans effective for submissions after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 609 requires Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to provide space for community volunteers to support students' reading skills before or after school, when space and supervisory staff are available. Volunteers must complete a background check and work under the direct supervision of a school principal or their designee. They can read to students, listen to students read aloud, or help students select books from the school library. The bill directly affects public schools, community volunteers, and students by creating a structured program for reading assistance in school settings.

Maddy summarySF 189 extends Minnesota's existing vehicle tax and fee exemptions for veterans with total service-connected disability to eligible surviving spouses of veterans (known as "Gold Star spouses"). The bill defines a Gold Star spouse as the surviving spouse of a veteran who died while serving honorably in active duty and includes them in the list of individuals exempt from registration taxes, license plate fees, title fees, driver's license fees, and motor vehicle sales taxes. These exemptions apply to up to two vehicles registered by the spouse and take effect for registration periods starting on or after January 1, 2026. The bill does not cover personalized plate fees or special plate donations, which remain subject to standard fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million for fiscal year 2026 and $10 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Education for the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) Center. The funds will support an evidence-based program delivered to at least 40 qualifying schools, prioritizing geographic balance (urban, suburban, rural) and schools serving high concentrations of students in poverty or from underrepresented racial groups (including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities). The program must provide school coaching, professional development, and resources over three years to improve student social-emotional skills, academic achievement for marginalized students, teacher effectiveness, and high school graduation rates. The BARR Center must apply for the grants through the commissioner of education, with funds available until June 2028 (2026 appropriation) and June 2029 (2027 appropriation).

Maddy summaryThis bill increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the market value exclusion from $150,000 to $200,000 for veterans with a 70%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $400,000 for veterans with a total (100%) and permanent disability. The change directly affects qualifying veterans (requiring VA certification and honorable discharge), their surviving spouses who inherit the homestead, and approved primary family caregivers. The exclusion applies to the homestead property's taxable value, with specific application deadlines and eligibility requirements outlined in the bill.

Maddy summarySF 364 appropriates $450,000 annually (2026-2027) to fund evidence-based literacy interventions for students reading below grade level in Minnesota public schools where most students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The grant supports tutor training, materials, program delivery, and administration through the Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota. The Institute must submit annual reports to education committees by January 15, detailing fund usage and student literacy progress until 2028. This bill directly affects low-income public school students and requires specific reporting to ensure accountability for the state funds.

Maddy summarySF 392 allows Minnesota school districts to donate surplus schoolbooks (including textbooks, library books, and classroom materials) to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations registered with the attorney general for educational use. This provision, added to Minnesota Statutes section 123B.52, specifically permits districts to bypass standard competitive bidding requirements for these donations. The bill directly affects school districts managing unused educational materials. It creates a clear, streamlined process for donating surplus books to eligible charities, promoting resource reuse without requiring new procurement procedures.

Maddy summarySF 323 amends Minnesota law to create a new felony charge for drivers who flee police officers while operating a vehicle in a culpably negligent manner - defined as driving recklessly and creating an unreasonable risk of death or serious injury to others. It specifically targets cases where drivers knowingly flee officers but operate vehicles with reckless disregard for safety, adding a distinct penalty category under Minnesota Statutes § 609.487, subdivision 3a. This new offense carries a potential sentence of up to four years in prison or an $8,000 fine, separate from existing fleeing penalties. The bill modifies license revocation rules for such offenses and takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed after that date.

Maddy summarySF 388 removes burial fees for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 197.236, subdivision 9, to prohibit charging any fees for these groups' interment, replacing the previous fee schedule and waiver process. It appropriates funds from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover these uncompensated burial costs. This directly affects spouses and dependent children of veterans meeting eligibility criteria under U.S. Code, title 38, section 101(2). The policy change eliminates a cost barrier for families of veterans, ensuring no burial fees apply to these specific groups.