Sen. Bobby Joe Champion

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies local plant pest control regulations in Minnesota. It requires cities, counties, and towns to update existing ordinances by September 1, 2025, to include new requirements for officials enforcing pest control rules. Key provisions mandate that officials must first speak with property owners before inspections, provide annual pest control plans addressing potential racial equity impacts, give owners 180 days' notice before requiring pest removal, and share itemized costs if work is done at the owner's expense. The bill directly affects local governments creating these ordinances and property owners subject to pest control enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1 million state-funded program to help low-income homeowners cover costs for treating or removing ash trees infested with emerald ash borers. Eligible local governments (towns over 10,000 population, cities, or tribal governments) will receive competitive grants based on infestation rates, community financial need, and population size. Funds must reimburse homeowners with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty guideline for eligible tree-related expenses incurred since 2020. The program allocates funds in 2026, with payments distributed by February 15, 2026, and is a one-time appropriation.

Maddy summarySF 3353 establishes a Minnesota pilot program to reduce trauma from gun violence and address its root causes. The bill appropriates $5 million for the commissioner of health to fund community-based organizations providing healing services and training to individuals at high risk of gun violence or experiencing trauma from it. Key mechanisms include training community "trauma navigators" to help affected families access resources like housing, mental health care, and child care, and developing culturally appropriate education campaigns about gun violence and trauma. The program requires a report by February 2027 on its progress in reducing trauma and addressing root causes. It directly affects communities and families impacted by gun violence in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.936 million from the health care access fund to the commissioner of human services for one-time grants to qualified navigator organizations. It directly affects organizations with active MNsure navigator contracts that helped enroll people in health insurance during the second quarter of 2025. Grants are calculated based on each organization's verified success in enrolling medical assistance and MinnesotaCare participants, as tracked by MNsure. The funding is available until June 30, 2027, and must be distributed proportionally to organizations meeting the enrollment criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota child welfare agencies to conduct annual case reviews focusing on African American children and other disproportionately represented groups, tracking 11 specific data points like foster care placements, reunification rates, and access to culturally appropriate services. Agencies must develop remediation plans with measurable goals to address disparities identified in these reviews, with the first report due by October 2031. The African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council must submit annual reports to legislators on system implementation, staffing needs, and recommendations for improving outcomes by November 2026 and 2030. The bill also appropriates funds for child protection worker staffing, technology upgrades, and Family First Prevention Services Act grants. It directly affects child welfare agencies, the Advisory Council, and legislative committees overseeing child protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to establish the Sankofa Empowerment Center through a grant to Rebound, Inc. It directly serves Black youth with a history of juvenile justice or child welfare involvement by funding property acquisition, facility construction, staffing, and culturally responsive programming. The funds must cover all operational costs for the center’s development and services, with no administrative fees retained by the commissioner. Rebound, Inc. must submit a detailed report by January 15, 2027, on fund usage, youth served, program outcomes, and future recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes the Aspiring Minnesota Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program permanent, providing financial support to aspiring teachers from racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in Minnesota's teaching workforce. It establishes eligibility for undergraduate and graduate students in approved teacher preparation programs who identify as people of color or American Indian, meet academic standards, and demonstrate financial need. The program caps total scholarship awards at $30,000 per student, with annual limits of $5,000 per candidate and $10,000 maximum combined from overlapping grants. The bill also amends statutes to standardize grant administration for institutions supporting teacher candidates and appropriates state funds to sustain these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.5 million annually (2026-2027) from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Indian Affairs Council for competitive grants supporting Native American culture, arts, and history programs. It allocates an additional $850,000 yearly for grants to Minnesota Tribal Nations to preserve Dakota and Ojibwe languages and support language education. Smaller amounts - $650,000, $600,000, $50,000, and $150,000 - fund language-immersion schools, language preservation services, a language working group, and compliance with federal Native American Graves Protection laws. These funds directly support tribal nations, language programs, and cultural institutions focused on Dakota and Ojibwe heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $500,000 pilot program through Minnesota's commissioner of higher education to fund training in plant-based food production. It awards grants to secondary career/technical education programs and colleges for equipment, facility upgrades, and faculty training related to plant-based food production, with priority given to institutions partnering with local plant-based food producers. The program operates through fiscal year 2026 with funds available until June 30, 2027. It directly affects schools offering career training and local plant-based food businesses seeking workforce development partnerships.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to MNSBIR, Inc. to support Minnesota small businesses. The funds will help startups and small businesses secure federal research and development funding, with a specific focus on assisting businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and women. Key mechanisms include helping businesses navigate federal grant processes, supporting technology transfer from universities and labs, and providing training on federal requirements. The grant must be used by June 30, 2027, to advance innovation and commercialization of research.