Sen. Bobby Joe Champion

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7 million from Minnesota's general fund for a one-time grant to the city of Chaska through Explore Minnesota. The funding is intended to attract and cover costs for hosting a package of future PGA of America championship events, including at least one men's and one women's tournament. It does not create new regulations or alter existing laws, but provides specific financial support for economic development tied to these sporting events. The grant is available until June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 3595 allocates $9 million to provide direct grants to Minnesota housing providers who received federal Continuum of Care funding but face budget gaps due to expired contracts before December 2026. The bill allows noncompetitive awards to existing federal grantees to cover these shortfalls without competitive bidding, supporting permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing programs. Recipients must report quarterly on fund usage and people served, with reports shared with lawmakers and the public. This one-time appropriation aims to maintain housing services for vulnerable residents without disrupting ongoing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal claim in Minnesota for individuals whose constitutional rights were violated by state or local officials acting under the authority of law. It allows victims to sue officials for damages, attorney fees, and other relief, with claims needing to be filed within six years. The bill also requires written agreements for state/local law enforcement to collaborate with federal agencies, mandating that federal officers under such partnerships can be held liable for constitutional violations. It directly affects people seeking redress for rights violations and law enforcement agencies entering federal partnerships.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors specific Minnesota Senate employees who have completed five legislative sessions for their professional commitment to state government. The bill directs the Secretary of the Senate to organize a ceremony in the Senate Chamber on February 23, 2026, to formally commend these individuals. Additionally, it requires the creation of an official enrolled copy of the resolution for public display within the Senate offices. This measure serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than establishing new laws or altering government operations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally honors specific Minnesota Senate staff members who have completed five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, or thirty-five years of dedicated service. The bill lists the names of these employees by their years of tenure and directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the resolution for public display. A ceremony to recognize their contributions is scheduled to take place in the Senate Chamber on February 23, 2026. This measure serves as a commemorative acknowledgment rather than establishing new laws or funding.

Maddy summarySF 2852 modifies Minnesota's optometry scope of practice by adding specific restrictions to optometrists' authority. It directly affects licensed optometrists in Minnesota by limiting their ability to prescribe or administer certain medications and treatments. The bill explicitly prohibits: administering prescription drugs via IV/IM/injection (except for anaphylaxis), performing invasive surgery (including laser procedures), prescribing Schedule II/III oral drugs or steroids, prescribing oral antivirals beyond 10 days, and prescribing oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors beyond 7 days. These changes clarify the boundaries of optometric practice under existing law. The bill does not expand optometrists' authority but defines specific limitations on their current scope.

Maddy summarySF 3663 modifies membership rules for two Explore Minnesota advisory councils. It reduces the Tourism Council from 35 to 25 voting members and adds a Department of Employment and Economic Development representative to the Business Council. The bill changes how members are selected, including replacing "fourteen" statewide tourism representatives with "four" and adding five regional tourism representatives. These changes affect how the councils advise on tourism marketing and economic development strategies. The bill focuses solely on council composition, not tourism policy outcomes.

Maddy summarySF 17 is a biennial budget bill that appropriates $200.4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $156.2 million for 2027 to Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development. It funds specific programs including $50.7 million for business and community development, $350,000 for the Energy Transition Office, and $500,000 for small business development centers. The bill also modifies existing funding for workforce programs, remediation, and grants to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. This legislation directly affects state agencies and local economic development initiatives by providing dedicated funding for their operations and services.

Maddy summarySF 906 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the Housing Finance Agency for a one-time grant program supporting housing infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota (outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area). The funds will be used to provide grants for housing development projects, specifically under Minnesota Statutes section 462A.395. This bill directly affects housing providers and communities in Greater Minnesota by providing targeted funding for infrastructure needs. The key mechanism is a single fiscal year 2026 appropriation to expand housing development resources in underserved regions.

Maddy summarySF 1832 is a budget bill that appropriates $181.8 million for Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Explore Minnesota for fiscal years 2026-2027. It funds specific programs including $500,000 annually for small business development centers, $2.7 million for small business assistance partnerships, and $1.5 million for grants to communities expanding child care access (with 50% allocated to non-metro areas). The bill also provides $1.7 million yearly for contaminated site cleanup and $350,000 for the energy transition office. It directly affects state agencies, small businesses, rural communities, and child care providers through these targeted funding streams.