Sen. Zach Duckworth

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the ability of Minnesota school districts to use tax levies to pay for renting space needed for high school graduation ceremonies. It amends existing state law to explicitly include graduation ceremonies as an approved purpose for lease levies, ensuring districts can secure necessary facilities for their graduating classes. The legislation also requires the Department of Education to approve lease costs for graduation facilities in 2027, regardless of when the lease agreement was finalized, providing flexibility for districts planning graduation events.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the expiration date for an exemption that allows Minnesota colleges and universities to avoid certain reporting and marketing rules when they contract with online program management companies. The exemption currently applies to contracts signed on or before July 1, 2023, that change the number of managed programs, and would have ended on July 1, 2028. By deleting the expiration date, the bill makes this exemption permanent for qualifying institutions. The change directly affects higher education institutions in Minnesota that use third-party companies to manage their online programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Minnesota public high school districts and charter schools to participate in the direct admissions program starting with the 2029-2030 school year. It mandates participation under existing law (Minnesota Statutes section 136A.84), which connects high schools with postsecondary institutions for streamlined college admissions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, but the participation requirement begins in 2029. This directly affects public high schools and charter schools across Minnesota by requiring them to engage with the state's designated admissions process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires written contracts for mechanic's liens in Minnesota, meaning workers and material suppliers must have a signed agreement with property owners to enforce liens for unpaid work. It also mandates that contractors include specific notices in their contracts informing owners of their right to pay suppliers directly and deduct costs from the contract price, with exceptions for related corporate entities. Additionally, the bill requires plaintiffs to notify property owners within 24 hours after recording a lien notice in court. These changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to work performed on or after that date.

Maddy summarySF 3636 requires local fire departments (or mayors/town clerks in areas without fire departments) to report fires involving alternative energy systems like solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal installations. Reports must include the fire's cause, origin, financial damage, and injury details. The state fire marshal must then compile these reports into an annual summary, submitted to legislative committees by February 15 each year. This bill directly affects fire departments, state officials, and entities operating alternative energy systems by creating a standardized reporting process for fire incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate the current income-based limits on subtracting Social Security benefits from Minnesota state taxable income, allowing taxpayers to fully subtract all Social Security benefits they receive. It directly affects Minnesota residents who receive Social Security benefits and file state income tax returns, removing the existing phaseout thresholds and maximum subtraction caps that currently apply. Under the new provisions, all Social Security benefits would be deductible from taxable income without any reduction based on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income, simplifying the calculation and potentially lowering state tax liability for retirees. The change would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows small employers in Minnesota with 100 or fewer employees to request refunds of special assessment fees they pay into the state workforce development fund. The refunded money must be used specifically to train current entry-level employees or provide training that leads to higher salaries or career advancement opportunities within the company. Employers must also ensure that all training is conducted for Minnesota-based employees. The bill requires the state workforce development commissioner to submit annual reports to legislative committees by January 15 each year, detailing the fund's balance and the total amounts collected and refunded.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes to expand eligibility for school-age care programs. It allows these programs to serve prekindergarten students who qualify under specific criteria: children with disabilities (per Minn. Stat. §125A.02), children facing temporary family challenges, or kindergarten-aged children already enrolled in school. The change directly affects school districts and community providers offering school-age care, enabling them to include these pre-K students in their services. The policy update modifies the existing definition of "eligible children" in statute §124D.19, subdivision 11, without altering program structure or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySF 4011 requires teacher preparation programs in Minnesota to include a supervised early literacy field experience for candidates preparing to teach early reading. This applies to programs enrolling students in the 2027-2028 school year or later, mandating integration with evidence-based reading instruction and opportunities to apply proven literacy practices. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must create rules defining which licensure areas require this experience, setting scope and outcomes, ensuring school-based placements during instructional hours (with limited waivers), and requiring actionable feedback. The bill appropriates funds for the board's rulemaking process and takes effect July 1, 2026. It directly affects teacher candidates, preparation programs, and the state's educator licensing standards.

Maddy summarySF 4024 establishes a voluntary framework to improve Minnesota students' access to career-connected learning experiences, such as internships and work-based training, by coordinating education, workforce, and postsecondary systems. It requires the state education commissioner to review existing policies and create guidance for schools - without mandating participation - to align personalized learning plans, career education, and employer engagement. The framework focuses on removing barriers to high-quality career pathways, supporting local school flexibility, and using existing resources to connect high school experiences to postsecondary credentials and jobs. It does not create new funding or requirements but aims to streamline coordination across systems to better prepare students for careers.