Sen. Doron Clark

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3368) sets new qualification standards for paraprofessionals working in Minnesota public schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It requires paraprofessionals to meet one of three paths: earn two years of college credits or an associate degree, pass the ParaPro assessment (score 440+), or demonstrate 17 specific competencies like understanding student safety protocols, following teacher instructions, promoting inclusive learning, and using ethical communication. These standards align with federal requirements under the Code of Federal Regulations. The bill directly affects paraprofessionals employed in Minnesota school districts who must meet these criteria to continue working.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "governmental agency" in Minnesota's emergency communications law to include any entity that has authority to provide emergency services, not just those currently operating them. It directly affects tribal agencies, local governments, and special districts that offer or could offer firefighting, police, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services. The key change amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 403.02, subdivision 14, by adding "or has authority to provide" before listing the services. This clarification ensures the law covers agencies with the legal authority to deliver emergency services, even if they aren't actively providing them at the moment.

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 $85,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to provide free voice mail services through Open Access Connections. It directly supports homeless and low-income Minnesotans by giving them a reliable communication tool to search for housing and secure jobs. The funding also requires $15,000 each year to expand community voice mail access in rural areas outside the seven-county metro region, building on existing services. The bill creates no new requirements but allocates specific state funds to address communication barriers for vulnerable populations.

Maddy summarySF 3181 creates a registration process for out-of-state medical cannabis patients visiting Minnesota. It requires these "visiting patients" to submit proof of their home state medical cannabis authorization (including expiration date and residency verification) to enroll in Minnesota's registry. Once approved, visiting patients gain all the same rights and privileges as Minnesota-registered patients under state law. The registration remains valid until their home state authorization expires, and they must maintain their home state certification to keep their Minnesota enrollment. This bill directly affects medical cannabis patients temporarily residing in Minnesota but legally registered in another state.

Maddy summarySF 3132 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax brackets and rates for 2025 and beyond. It increases the income thresholds for each tax rate bracket across all filing statuses: for example, the first tax bracket for married couples filing jointly rises from $38,770 to $47,620 before the 5.35% rate applies. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments to these brackets starting in 2025, rounding amounts to the nearest $10. This change directly affects all Minnesota residents who file individual income tax returns, altering their tax liability based on updated income levels.

Maddy summarySF 3180 requires Minnesota school districts to submit annual reports to the state education commissioner about contracts with school resource officers (SROs). School districts must report the law enforcement agency providing SROs, contract dates, number of officers, and specific school sites assigned. This bill, effective July 1, 2025, aims to increase transparency around SRO contracts without changing SRO duties or funding. It directly affects all school districts in Minnesota that use SROs.

Maddy summaryHF 1295 amends Minnesota law to include children's advocacy centers as a program eligible to receive 70% of certain fines collected from offenders convicted of specific crimes, such as those involving child abuse or exploitation. The bill requires courts to collect a minimum fine of 30% of the maximum penalty for these crimes and forward 70% of that amount to a local victim assistance program, now explicitly including children's advocacy centers. If multiple programs serve the county, courts may choose which one receives funds based on the crime type and program needs; if no program is available, funds go to the state general fund. This ensures children's advocacy centers can directly access funding to provide services for child victims.

Maddy summarySF 2819 establishes Minnesota's first state-defined standards for "green burials," requiring bodies to be unembalmed or use only nontoxic embalming, placed in biodegradable containers without burial vaults, and handled with universal precautions. It mandates refrigeration or dry ice storage for unembalmed bodies (max 6 days refrigerated, 4 days dry ice) and sets strict location rules for green burial plots, including 50-foot setbacks from property lines and water sources. The bill also increases the percentage of cemetery lot sale proceeds (from 20% to 25%) and mausoleum burial space proceeds (10%) dedicated to permanent care funds. These requirements apply to all cemeteries, funeral facilities, and public cemeteries offering green burial options.

Maddy summarySF 3108 appropriates $40 million for the University of Minnesota in fiscal year 2026 and another $40 million in fiscal year 2027 to fund research in biomanufacturing, precision agriculture, hypersonics, green energy, and green iron industries. The funds are directed to the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents to advance innovation and new technologies within these specific sectors. This bill directly affects the University of Minnesota's research capabilities and its partnerships with industry leaders in these targeted fields. The legislation provides concrete funding for research activities without specifying new regulations or eligibility requirements for the recipient industries.