Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the state's appreciation for the long-standing partnership between Minnesota and the Province of Québec. It highlights specific achievements such as increased trade, shared environmental goals, and mutual economic investments in sectors like aerospace and aluminum. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal statement of goodwill to be shared with the public and media.

Maddy summarySF 3957 modifies Minnesota's educational assistance program for children and spouses of veterans. It provides an annual $750 stipend for eligible children and spouses of deceased veterans (or veterans who were prisoners of war/missing in action), replacing a previous single payment. To qualify, recipients must be Minnesota residents enrolled in a public Minnesota institution of higher education, making satisfactory academic progress, and not yet holding a bachelor's degree. The bill updates eligibility definitions and repeals an outdated section of law, focusing specifically on children and surviving spouses rather than veterans themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota municipalities from charging fees for residential improvements needed to accommodate a veteran's disability. It directly affects veterans with service-connected physical or mental impairments who need home modifications, as well as local governments that would otherwise collect permit and inspection fees for such projects. The law requires veterans to provide proof of their status and disability-related need, but prevents municipalities from refusing permits or inspections due to unpaid fees related to these specific improvements. The bill takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota calculates family responsibility amounts for state grant awards, directly affecting students and families applying for financial aid. It changes the calculation method so that any negative parental or student contribution is treated as zero rather than allowing negative values to reduce grant eligibility. The bill also updates how part-time students have their family responsibility prorated based on credit enrollment. These changes take effect for state grant awards starting in the summer 2026 academic term.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of up to $12.8 million in state bonds to fund municipal sewer and water infrastructure improvements in the City of Credit River. The funds will be used specifically for designing, constructing, and equipping water and sewer systems serving the County Court neighborhood. The commissioner of management and budget will handle the bond issuance process according to existing state laws. Once enacted, the appropriation becomes effective the day following final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes how health insurance plans in Minnesota must calculate an enrollee's contribution toward cost-sharing and out-of-pocket maximums. It requires health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to include all amounts paid by or on behalf of enrollees when determining these totals, including for prescription drugs covered under medical benefits. The law also specifies that these calculation rules apply only after enrollees meet their plan deductibles to avoid affecting eligibility for certain federal tax benefits. The provisions will take effect on January 1, 2027, for health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits any person from placing or operating virtual currency kiosks within Minnesota, directly affecting businesses that currently offer cryptocurrency exchange services through physical kiosks. The legislation repeals existing state laws that previously regulated these kiosks, including definitions for customers and transaction limits, as well as requirements for risk disclosures and transaction procedures. By removing the legal framework that allowed such kiosks to operate, the bill effectively bans the physical presence of cryptocurrency exchange machines in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a requirement for social media platforms to report behavioral threat assessments to educational facilities and religious institutions in Minnesota. It defines key terms like social media platforms, user-generated content, and targeted violence to clarify the scope of the reporting requirement. The legislation specifically targets platforms that allow users to create and share content for social interaction, excluding services like search engines and email providers. Social media companies would need to assess and report potential threats related to user behavior that could lead to violence at schools, childcare centers, and religious organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force within the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to improve access to mental health services for veterans living in rural areas. The task force will be responsible for reviewing current challenges and developing recommendations to address veterans' mental health needs in these regions. Funding is allocated to support the task force's operations over three fiscal years, with the exact amounts to be determined later. The legislation directly affects rural veterans and the state veterans affairs agency tasked with their care.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows nursing homes, boarding care homes, and assisted living facilities in Minnesota to serve and display alcoholic beverages without needing a separate liquor license. Facilities must notify the state commissioner of health of their intent to serve alcohol and can only do so during events primarily for residents and their guests, with guests required to be accompanied by a resident throughout the service. The alcohol cannot be sold or provided for any payment, and facilities remain subject to all existing alcohol regulations and enforcement actions.