Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota State High School League to add cricket as an official sport by July 2025. It mandates the League to establish a spring season if possible, form an advisory group, run pilot programs in at least three schools during 2025-2026, and expand to more schools by 2026-2027. By the 2027-2028 school year, the League must finalize rules and have a regular cricket season available for all Minnesota high schools participating in the League. The bill directly affects Minnesota high schools that compete under the League's jurisdiction, enabling them to offer cricket as a sanctioned athletic activity.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota teacher licensure laws to improve how educator misconduct is reported and investigated. It requires school districts and charter schools to notify licensing boards within ten days when teachers or administrators are fired, suspended, or resign following allegations of misconduct, and mandates sharing relevant documentation with licensing boards upon request. The bill also classifies certain license denial orders as public data and establishes procedures for the licensing board to work with the Attorney General's Office and law enforcement when serious offenses like sexual misconduct with minors are involved. These changes directly affect school boards, charter schools, educators, and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school employees in Minnesota to deny entry to immigration enforcement officials unless they present a valid judicial warrant, limiting access to only the areas specified in that warrant. It mandates that school staff immediately notify their district superintendent or legal representative whenever an immigration enforcement official is granted access to a school site. The law applies to all federal, state, and local officials conducting immigration enforcement but explicitly allows entry by officials administering state or federally supported educational programs. The provision takes effect the day after final enactment and includes a severability clause to ensure remaining parts of the law stay valid if any section is found unconstitutional.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the city of Edina to issue social district licenses that permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated outdoor areas, such as parks or patios, without allowing sales or service of alcohol in those spaces. The legislation requires the city to clearly define district boundaries with posted signs, establish management plans for public safety, and set specific days and hours for alcohol consumption. License holders must use non-glass containers with unique district markings and responsible drinking warnings, and beverages must be consumed only within the designated area or returned to the place of purchase. This change directly affects the city of Edina and businesses holding on-sale liquor licenses that wish to participate in the social district program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new levy limits for cities and counties in Minnesota, taking effect for property taxes payable in 2027 and beyond. It changes how the base for property tax limits is calculated, using the final certified levy from the previous year instead of historical data, and adjusts the limit based on changes in the implicit price deflator rather than household growth or new construction values. The bill also modifies the process for approving additional levies above the limit, allowing local governments to pass such levies through a unanimous vote of their governing body with public notice, replacing the previous requirement for a voter referendum. Local governments must post the resolution and hearing notice on their website and in a local newspaper for two weeks before the public hearing.

Maddy summaryMinnesota bill SF 3996 requires all public K-12 schools and charter schools to develop evidence-based school safety plans by May 2028. The Minnesota School Safety Center will create a model plan based on research showing effectiveness, review local plans for compliance, and notify schools if their plans don't meet standards. Schools that fail to adopt approved plans must inform parents by August 2028 about the lack of a safety plan. The bill also mandates the center to employ at least two mental health professionals and post annual reports on school safety plan adoption. This law directly affects Minnesota's school districts, requiring concrete changes to safety planning processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota school districts to provide nonpublic school students (in private or religious schools) with the same elementary and secondary counseling services as public school students, upon formal request. It mandates districts to cover these services using existing funding, with costs capped at the average public school expenditure per pupil for similar services. Funding for these services will be appropriated starting in fiscal year 2026, based on district requests and public school spending data. The bill directly affects nonpublic school students and their districts, ensuring equitable access to counseling without new district costs beyond current allotments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce to apply for a federal waiver to continue the state's premium security plan, which allows the state to collect additional funds from health insurance premiums to support the state's health insurance program. The application must be submitted by December 31, 2026, and must state that the plan's operation beyond 2027 depends on receiving federal approval. The commissioner must also notify relevant legislative committee chairs and the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association about the application and any federal decisions. This provision ensures the state can maintain its current health insurance funding structure while seeking continued federal permission to operate it.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $175,000 from the state's general fund to support a pilot youth mentoring program called Bolder Options. The program will serve young people aged 12 to 21 in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester by introducing them to public service career paths, including opportunities with the Minnesota Army National Guard. The funding is designated as a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2027 and will be managed by the commissioner of public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota postsecondary institutions to clearly communicate deadlines for full tuition refunds during the add-drop period, where students can remove courses without being marked as withdrawn. It applies to state colleges and universities, private institutions with Minnesota campuses participating in federal aid programs, and encourages University of Minnesota schools to comply. Institutions must display refund deadlines prominently on their websites, share them directly with students during registration, and include them in student handbooks. The bill also establishes a formal complaint process allowing students to report violations, with the Office of Higher Education empowered to investigate complaints and impose penalties including fines of up to $500 per day per violation or require schools to take corrective action.