Sen. Doron Clark

Maddy summarySF 2816 requires Minnesota colleges and universities to refund unused balances from student meal plans within 45 days after the spring term ends or if a student withdraws. It directly affects students who have unused meal plan funds and all Minnesota higher education institutions offering meal plans. The bill mandates that institutions must refund cash values of unused meal credits or apply them to future terms at a student's request, and prohibits requiring students to forfeit these funds. Institutions must also provide regular balance updates to students and annually report their compliance to the Office of Higher Education. This policy change ensures unused meal plan funds are returned to students rather than retained by institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the housing development fund to Isuroon, a nonprofit serving immigrant and refugee families, for rental assistance and eviction prevention services. The funds will cover overdue rent payments to landlords, eviction prevention services, and culturally tailored outreach for Minnesota tenants facing housing instability. Isuroon must report annually by December 15 through 2027 on the number of families served, total rent assistance distributed, and eviction prevention outcomes. This is a one-time fiscal year 2026 appropriation.

Maddy summarySF 2094 amends Minnesota traffic laws to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. It broadens the definition of "crosswalk" to include non-intersection paths on trails and bikeways, and requires local governments to post 25 mph signs in residential areas and 35 mph signs in rural residential zones. The bill also clarifies that drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at unmarked intersections. These changes directly affect pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and local road authorities responsible for traffic signage.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases waiver case management service rates by 27.5% effective July 1, 2025, for services provided under Minnesota Statutes sections 256B.0913, 256B.092, 256B.0922, and 256B.49. It also requires county agencies to annually submit detailed labor market data about case managers (including wages, staffing, turnover, and vacancies) to the commissioner for public analysis and reporting. The data collection aims to inform future rate adjustments and address workforce trends. These changes directly affect county agencies, contracted service providers, and case managers who deliver essential community support services to seniors aged 65+ who qualify for waiver programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Minnesota school boards can renew expiring referendums without requiring a new voter vote. It directly affects school districts that need to extend existing funding referendums. Key provisions require school boards to: keep the same per-student funding level (or inflation-adjusted), renew for no longer than the original term, hold a public hearing with recorded votes, and submit the resolution by specific deadlines (June 15 before expiration, with a September 1 submission deadline). The changes apply retroactively to resolutions adopted since June 16, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2840) allows Minnesota schools to offer free milk as a standalone lunch option instead of requiring students to take a full school lunch. It directly affects students who want milk but not a full meal, reducing food waste by eliminating the need to take a complete lunch solely for milk access. Schools receive reimbursement of 50 cents per half-pint of milk served under this program, with rates adjusted to match USDA standards if higher. The policy applies to all public and nonpublic schools participating in the national school lunch program, effective for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Minnesota funds special education costs for students attending charter schools. For fiscal year 2026 and later, it reduces the share resident school districts must pay for unreimbursed special education costs from 80% to 50% (down from 85% for FY2020). The state portion of funding for these costs increases to cover the remaining gap, directly affecting school districts sending students to charters and the charters themselves. It applies specifically to charter schools and modifies existing funding formulas in Minnesota Statutes sections 124E.21 and 127A.47.

Maddy summarySF 2660 allocates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Project for Pride in Living (PPL). The funds are designated for PPL to provide job training and workforce development services specifically targeting unemployed or underemployed individuals. This is a one-time appropriation, meaning it provides funding for only these two fiscal years. The bill directly affects PPL’s ability to deliver these services and the individuals they serve in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2286) limits Minnesota municipalities' ability to control zoning for certain multifamily housing developments. It requires cities to permit multifamily projects (13+ units or mixed-use with half residential space) in any zone allowing commercial use (except heavy industrial zones) without requiring new comprehensive plan amendments before 2029. It also changes the vote threshold for approving most comprehensive plan amendments from two-thirds to simple majority, while keeping the two-thirds requirement for affordable housing projects (defined as 20% units for households at or below 60% area median income). The bill directly affects local governments and developers by streamlining approval processes for eligible housing, though municipalities can still enforce health, safety, and infrastructure standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 as a one-time grant to Metro Deaf School. It directly provides funding for services to young children with deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing disabilities who are not eligible for existing state funding under Minnesota Statutes §124E.11(h). The funds will support the school's programs for this specific student group. The bill does not create new eligibility criteria or alter existing laws, only providing targeted financial support for an existing service.