Sen. Bill Lieske

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat, a nonprofit organization. The funds will support building a new shooting range and retreat designed specifically for disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities. The grant covers predesign, construction, furnishing, and equipment to create an accessible facility. This is a one-time appropriation with funds available until the project is completed.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 to Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat, a nonprofit organization. The funds are designated for expenses related to veteran retreats, including transportation and customized activities. The commissioner of veterans affairs must submit annual reports detailing how the grant money was used, including administrative costs, to legislative committees by January 15 each year. This bill directly supports veterans participating in the nonprofit's retreat programs through financial assistance.

Maddy summarySF 1437 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota governors to two terms in office. If approved by voters, it would amend Article V, Section 2 of the Minnesota Constitution to state that "a person elected twice to the office of governor is no longer an eligible candidate." The amendment would be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election with a ballot question asking whether the constitution should be amended to limit governors to two terms. This change would apply to all future governors, though the bill specifies that elections prior to 2026 must also be considered under the new term limits.

Maddy summarySF 178 appropriates $25 million annually for town road maintenance and $10 million annually for town bridge maintenance in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, funded from the state's general fund. The bill directs the commissioner of transportation to distribute these funds according to existing rules under Minnesota Statutes section 162.081. This funding supports local governments responsible for maintaining town-level roads and bridges, without creating new requirements or altering current distribution methods. It is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summarySF 2624 would amend Minnesota law to permit anglers to use up to three fishing lines in the Mississippi River and St. Croix River, replacing the current two-line limit in those waterways. This change would directly affect recreational fishermen who fish in these rivers, allowing them to use an additional line without needing special permits. The amendment updates Minnesota Statutes section 97C.315 by adding a new exception for three lines in the specified rivers, while maintaining existing limits elsewhere. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to fishing regulations, not a broader environmental or conservation measure.

Maddy summarySF 2919 allows construction contractors who provide earned sick and safe time benefits to include the cost of those benefits in their prevailing wage calculations for government construction projects. This applies specifically to contractors who have not secured a collective bargaining agreement waiver for sick leave requirements under existing law. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to permit these costs to be counted toward labor expenses when bidding on state or local government construction contracts. It directly affects construction companies offering sick leave but lacking union agreements that waive the standard sick leave requirements. This change modifies how labor costs are calculated for bidding purposes on public works projects.

Maddy summarySF 608 prohibits municipalities from allowing new enterprise data centers (facilities over 800,000 sq ft for digital data storage/processing) in most zoning districts. It allows such data centers only as a conditional use within designated "industrial districts" where manufacturing facilities are permitted. This bill affects local governments in Minnesota, requiring them to adjust zoning rules by June 20, 2025, for new data center construction. The law directly impacts developers seeking to build large-scale data centers outside industrial zones. It does not apply to existing data centers or smaller facilities meeting the size threshold.

Maddy summarySF 2812 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support Minnesota's thoroughbred racing culture. The funding is directed to the commissioner of administration for grants to a licensed Class A racetrack that primarily conducts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 240. The bill requires these grants to expand opportunities for Minnesota racehorses at the racetrack. This directly affects licensed racetracks meeting specific criteria, with no broader public impact specified.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota local governments from using traffic cameras to enforce speed limits or red light violations. It repeals existing laws that allowed speed safety camera systems (under Minnesota Statutes 169.147) and red light camera systems, including specific provisions in statutes 169.011, 169.06, 169.14, and 171.12. The policy change directly affects cities, counties, and towns that currently operate or plan to use these camera systems for traffic enforcement. By canceling related funding and repealing all enabling statutes, the bill ends the legal framework for automated traffic camera enforcement statewide.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 2605 modifies the state's earned sick and safe time law, primarily delaying penalties for initial employer violations until January 1, 2026. The bill clarifies that employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees must provide sick time at half the employee's hourly rate, while new businesses may choose to offer paid time off during their first year. It also refines who qualifies as an "employee" (excluding many part-time, seasonal, and farm workers) and expands the definition of "family member" for leave purposes. The core policy remains unchanged: employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30-40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours annually. This bill directly affects Minnesota employers and their covered employees, with the main new provision being the delayed enforcement of penalties.