Sen. Doron Clark

Maddy summarySF 1607 appropriates $10 million for fiscal year 2026 and $10 million for 2027 to fund University of Minnesota health initiatives targeting underserved communities. The bill directs these funds to expand existing programs like the Community-University Health Care Center, Mobile Health Initiative, and a new One Health Clinic pilot, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health care. It also requires the university to incorporate health equity curriculum into health science programs and increase student clinical training opportunities in underserved areas. This funding directly supports the University of Minnesota’s efforts to improve access to care in communities with limited health resources. The bill affects UMN’s operations, underserved Minnesotans seeking care, and health science students gaining practical experience.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $850,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund job skills training through Better Futures Minnesota. It directly supports individuals recently released from prison for felony offenses who are within 12 months of release. The program requires annual reports tracking participant employment, recidivism, homelessness, and training completion rates. The funding aims to improve workforce reentry outcomes for this specific group.

Maddy summarySF 1610 modifies Minnesota's community-based first-generation homebuyers down payment assistance program. It provides up to $32,000 as a no-interest, forgivable loan (20% forgiven annually over five years) to eligible first-time homebuyers who never owned a home or lost one to foreclosure, with income at or below 100% of the area median. The loan covers down payments or closing costs and must pair with a conforming mortgage, requiring completion of homebuyer education. The bill updates the program's funding structure, sets a future maximum based on median home prices (starting in 2027), and mandates annual reporting by the administrator (MMCDC) on loan details and demographic data.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. The funds must support academic assistance programs for youth, including homework help, the Exact Path personalized learning program, literacy/STEM activities, mentorship, and attendance strategies. The recipient must provide a 25% nonstate funding match, and any unused 2026 funds roll to 2027. It directly affects youth in Boys and Girls Clubs programs seeking academic support, particularly those needing targeted assistance to improve outcomes. The grant ends with no automatic funding for 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $600,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $600,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Emerge Community Development. The funding supports three specific workforce development programs in Minneapolis: the Emerge Career and Technical Center, Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center, and Emerge Second Chance programs. It directly affects Emerge Community Development and the residents served by these programs, particularly those seeking job training and employment support. The bill provides concrete funding for existing services without changing program rules or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies responsibilities for Minnesota's licensed local correctional facilities. It requires facility administrators to provide all necessary data to the Department of Corrections for reviewing critical incidents, emergencies, or unusual occurrences (Section 3.22-3.23). It also mandates that the Department's inspection unit report directly to a division head outside the correctional institutions division (Section 2.24). The changes apply to all facilities licensed to detain adults or juveniles under state correctional oversight, ensuring clearer accountability and data access for oversight purposes. The bill amends specific sections of Minnesota Statutes 2024 related to facility licensing and inspections.

Maddy summarySF 1685 updates Minnesota's landlord-tenant laws to strengthen tenant protections. It requires landlords to provide written leases specifying the exact rental unit before signing, prohibits unilateral lease changes, and mandates 24/7 accessible contact information (name, address, phone, email) for landlords and property managers. The bill also bans listing minor children as tenants in leases or defendants in eviction cases (with exceptions only if the minor is the sole tenant) and grants prospective tenants the right to view rental units before signing. Violations will trigger penalties including treble damages or $500 (for lease issues) or $1,000 (for minor-related issues), plus attorney fees.

Maddy summarySF 1644 appropriates $8.6 million from state bond proceeds to fund Phase 2 of the Hennepin Avenue Suspension Bridge reconstruction in Minneapolis. The funds, sourced from the state transportation fund, will cover design, engineering, construction, and related roadway work for the historic bridge and its approach bridges. Hennepin County will receive the grant to execute the project, with bonds authorized up to $8.6 million to finance the appropriation. This bill directly affects Minneapolis infrastructure and the county's bridge reconstruction efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota public school districts by adjusting several key education finance formulas. It raises the general education basic formula allowance, boosts special education and English learner cross subsidy aid, and increases safe schools revenue, all effective for fiscal year 2027 and later. The changes directly affect school districts serving students with special needs, English learners, and those relying on specific funding mechanisms like debt service levies. Key mechanisms include updating calculation methods for cross subsidy aid percentages (to 90% for English learners) and adjusting the cross subsidy aid factor (to 50.9% for special education). These adjustments aim to increase state funding for districts based on student needs and prior revenue calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board to develop a model policy for safe traffic stops by December 2025, incorporating best practices like de-escalation techniques, communication protocols, and measures to prevent racial profiling. Law enforcement agencies must adopt policies matching this model by September 2026, and the bill mandates updated training for officers in both initial preservice curriculum and ongoing continuing education. It appropriates $200,000 for 2025 and $500,000 for 2026 to support policy development, curriculum alignment, and training implementation. The policy directly affects all Minnesota law enforcement agencies and peace officers conducting traffic stops.