Sen. Keri Heintzeman

Maddy summarySF 1527, the Minnesota Elections Integrity Act, requires voters to present photo ID to register and vote, creates a state-issued voter identification card, and establishes provisional ballots for those without ID. It directly affects Minnesota voters, election workers, and individuals acting as agents for absentee voters or providing assistance at polling places. Key provisions include mandating photo ID at registration and polling locations, prohibiting certain voter registration activities, increasing penalties for violations, and appropriating funds for implementation. The bill amends multiple election statutes and takes effect on June 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 577 aims to streamline permitting under the Wetland Conservation Act by setting clear timeframes: 90 days for simpler "tier 1" permits and 150 days for more complex "tier 2" permits requiring public input. It requires the Pollution Control Agency to issue separate construction and operation permits for certain facilities and mandates annual reports tracking whether these deadlines are met. The bill also eliminates some scoping requirements for projects needing full environmental impact statements and requires petitioners to live in affected counties. These changes directly affect developers, landowners, and the agency handling environmental permit applications. The goal is to reduce delays in approving projects while maintaining environmental review standards.

Maddy summarySF 1374 amends Minnesota law to increase penalties for driving without a valid license after prior violations. It establishes minimum fines for repeat offenses and elevates certain repeat violations to gross misdemeanors if the driver has two prior convictions within ten years. The bill directly affects drivers whose licenses have been suspended, revoked, or canceled who operate vehicles without authorization. Key provisions require minimum fines for repeat violations and increase penalties when prior offenses occurred under specific license-related laws. The changes apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 126 declares Minnesota a "mining-friendly state" by amending Minnesota Statutes section 93.001 to establish a state policy supporting mineral development. The bill states Minnesota's policy is to "diversify the state's mineral economy through long-term support of mineral exploration, evaluation, environmental research, development, production, and commercialization." It does not change existing regulations or create new programs, but formally declares the state's supportive stance toward the mining industry. This declaration directly affects how the state positions itself regarding mineral resource development.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 425 increases the customer threshold for small natural gas utilities to qualify for exemption from Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulation, raising it from 650 to 2,500 customers total (including those outside municipal borders). This applies to utilities serving municipalities under a franchise, requiring them to maintain identical rates for all customers regardless of location. The bill also mandates that exempt utilities still follow PUC cold weather disconnection policies and submit rate changes 30 days in advance. Municipalities can later rescind exemptions, returning the utility to full PUC regulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies medical care requirements for infants born alive during abortion procedures in Minnesota. It mandates that medical personnel provide all reasonable measures to preserve the life and health of such infants, except when a life-threatening condition is diagnosed, in which case only "comfort care" (palliative care to ensure comfort) must be provided. The bill also adds specific data reporting requirements to abortion records, including whether an infant was born alive, the infant's gestational age, medical actions taken, and survival status. These changes apply to all physicians and facilities performing abortions in the state.