Sen. Keri Heintzeman

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.8 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the renovation and preservation of the historic Old Central School building in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The funds are allocated to the city of Grand Rapids through the Minnesota Historical Society's governing board. The bill directly affects the city of Grand Rapids by providing dedicated funding for restoring this specific historic structure. The funding is designated for fiscal year 2026 and is limited to the renovation and preservation work at the Old Central School site.

Maddy summarySF 280 would allow most Minnesotans without legal firearm prohibitions to carry handguns openly in public without a permit, effective immediately. It also creates an optional state-issued permit for those who prefer one, requiring applicants to be 21+, complete firearm safety training, pass background checks (excluding specific prohibitions like violent offenses), and submit a standardized application. The law defines "public place" broadly to include most public areas but explicitly excludes private homes, businesses owned by the applicant, gun shops, and hunting areas. This replaces Minnesota's current permit requirement with a "right to carry" framework while maintaining background checks for the optional permit.

Maddy summarySF 409 clarifies Minnesota's self-defense laws to better protect Minnesotans using force in defense of their home or person. It eliminates the requirement to retreat before using force outside the home, expands the definition of "dwelling" to include vehicles and adjacent areas like porches or decks, and creates a legal presumption that someone entering a dwelling by stealth or force is acting in self-defense. The bill also extends these protections to people defending their occupied vehicle against entry. These changes codify and extend existing self-defense standards without creating new penalties or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution, introduced by Minnesota legislators, requests Congress to call a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments. The proposed amendments would impose fiscal constraints on the federal government (like limiting debt or spending), restrict federal power and jurisdiction over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Minnesota's resolution serves as a continuing application, meaning it remains active until two-thirds of states also apply for the same convention on these specific topics. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks Congress to take action on these constitutional proposals.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $2.5 million in bonds to fund specific infrastructure improvements in the City of Cohasset. The funds will be used to rehabilitate the city's water tower, extend water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer systems citywide, and reconstruct associated streets. The Public Facilities Authority will administer the grant, with the state treasurer selling the bonds under existing bond laws. The project directly affects Cohasset residents by upgrading critical public infrastructure. The bill does not create new policies but provides dedicated funding for defined capital projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50,000 from the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund for safety improvements on the Pokegama Bridge trail system. The funds would be granted to Itasca County, which manages the trail system, to address safety concerns. The appropriation is for fiscal year 2026 and specifically targets physical safety upgrades on the trail. It does not create new policies or affect broader public regulations.

Maddy summarySF 418 creates an annual tax holiday for school supplies in Minnesota, exempting purchases during a seven-day period before Labor Day. The bill exempts individual items valued at $10 or less (as specified in the bill text), covering standard school items like notebooks, pencils, calculators, and backpacks designed for school use. It excludes non-school items such as stationery, wrapping paper, and hiking backpacks. This policy directly benefits Minnesota families purchasing school supplies before the start of the school year, effective for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill 423 reduces all individual income tax rates across every tax bracket for Minnesota residents. It lowers rates by approximately 0.125% (e.g., from 5.35% to 5.225% for the first bracket) for married couples filing jointly, single filers, and heads of household, affecting all Minnesota individual income taxpayers. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 290.06, to implement these rate reductions across all income levels. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a tax deduction for overtime pay in Minnesota's individual income tax code. It allows taxpayers to subtract the amount of overtime pay they earned from their taxable income, directly affecting Minnesota residents who receive overtime compensation. The deduction covers wages, salaries, tips, and other compensation for hours worked beyond standard limits under state or federal law. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This is a straightforward tax policy adjustment with no new requirements or program funding.

Maddy summarySF 1525 would exempt reported tip income from Minnesota's individual income tax and tax withholding requirements. The bill amends tax statutes to define "tips" as amounts reported to employers under federal IRS rules (sections 6053(a) or 3121(q) of the Internal Revenue Code), excluding this income from taxable wages. This directly affects tipped workers (like servers or baristas) who report tips to their employers. The exemption applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, meaning tips reported to employers would no longer be subject to state income tax withholding or inclusion in taxable income.