Sen. Bill Lieske

Maddy summarySF 1006 would exempt reported tip income from Minnesota's individual income tax. Specifically, it adds a new "tip income" subtraction to the tax code, meaning tips that workers already report to their employers (as required by federal law) won't be counted as taxable income. This directly affects tipped workers, such as servers and bartenders, who currently report tips to employers under federal rules. The exemption applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and does not change how tips are reported to employers or the IRS.

Maddy summarySF 996 prohibits organizations receiving state funding from spending money on political activities. It applies to any entity, including nonprofits, that gets state money through direct appropriations, grants, or competitive funding. The law bans all campaign expenditures or political spending by these organizations, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects nonprofits, schools, or community groups receiving state funds, preventing them from supporting political candidates or causes with public dollars.

Maddy summarySF 850 modifies Minnesota law to adjust limitations on optometrists prescribing and administering certain drugs. The bill removes specific duration restrictions: it allows optometrists to prescribe oral antivirals for longer than 10 days, oral steroids for longer than 14 days without physician consultation, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for longer than seven days. These changes apply to optometrists who meet educational requirements and are authorized under Minnesota statute. The bill maintains existing prohibitions, such as bans on intravenous drug administration (except for anaphylaxis), invasive surgery, and prescribing Schedule II/III oral drugs.

Maddy summarySF 789 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota legislators to 10 years total service in either the Senate or House of Representatives during their lifetime. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, the amendment would add a new provision to Article IV, Section 4 of the state constitution, preventing any individual from serving more than 10 years in a single chamber. The bill specifies that terms ending in 2027 or earlier would not count toward this limit. The amendment would require voter approval before taking effect, with the question on the ballot asking whether the constitution should be amended to impose these term limits.

Maddy summarySF 764 establishes the "Defend the Guard Act" to restrict Minnesota National Guard deployments. It prohibits sending the Guard or its members into "active duty combat" without either a formal U.S. Congressional declaration of war or specific congressional action under the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 15) to call the Guard for specific purposes like repelling invasion or suppressing insurrection. The bill requires the governor to take all necessary actions to comply with this restriction. It does not affect other deployments, such as those under Title 32 of the U.S. Code for domestic civil support missions. This directly affects Minnesota National Guard members and the state's authority to deploy them for combat operations.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 646 reduces license fees for manufacturers and wholesalers of medical gas in Minnesota. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 151.065, changing the fee structure from $5,500 for the first facility plus $500 for each additional facility to a flat $260 fee per facility for both initial licensing and annual renewal. This directly affects businesses that produce or distribute medical gases, such as oxygen or nitrous oxide, requiring them to pay significantly less for their state licenses. The change simplifies the fee system while lowering costs for these businesses. The bill does not alter other license fees or create new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summarySF 839 requires a parent or legal guardian to be present when a healthcare provider administers a vaccine to a minor. This directly affects minors seeking routine vaccinations and their parents or legal guardians. The bill includes an exception for vaccines where minors have consented under specific laws (sections 144.341, 144.342, or 144.3441). The law would take effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes to exempt certain off-highway vehicles made for children (like mini ATVs or dirt bikes), their replacement parts, and associated protective gear from the definition of a "juvenile product" under Amara's Law. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these child-sized off-highway vehicles by removing them from regulatory requirements that apply to other juvenile products. The key mechanism adds a specific exclusion to the statute's definition of "juvenile product" (Section 116.943, subdivision 1(m)(3)), clarifying these items are not covered by the law's restrictions on PFAS in children's products. This change focuses on regulatory scope, not new requirements.

Maddy summarySenate Bill SF 765 clarifies definitions for Minnesota's regional sales tax system by amending statutes to specify that "metropolitan area" includes Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. It defines key terms like "Metropolitan Council" and "metropolitan sales tax" to ensure consistent application of the tax. The bill sets a 0.25% sales tax rate on retail purchases made within these counties or destined for them, effective after June 30, 2025. This directly affects businesses and consumers in those seven counties who pay the regional sales tax.

Maddy summarySF 751 increases penalties for businesses violating Minnesota's antitrust laws. It raises civil penalties for violations from $50,000 to $150,000 per offense and for failing to comply with court orders from $100,000 to $300,000. Criminal penalties for willful violations also increase from $50,000 to $150,000, with potential prison time up to seven years. The bill directly affects businesses that engage in anti-competitive behavior, such as price-fixing or market division, by imposing higher financial and criminal consequences.