Sen. Doron Clark

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota schools to provide at least 16 hours of paid orientation or professional development annually to paraprofessionals, Title I aides, and other instructional support staff. To help cover these costs, the state will reimburse schools for the wages and related taxes associated with this training, starting in the 2025 fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation sets higher minimum starting salaries for nonlicensed school personnel and mandates that schools consult with employee representatives when planning this training.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces Minnesota's current vehicle registration tax system, which was based on a vehicle's purchase price, with a new system that charges fees based on the vehicle's total gross weight. It directly affects all owners of passenger automobiles and hearses by changing how they calculate their annual registration costs. Under the new rules, drivers will pay a graduated tax amount determined by specific weight ranges rather than a percentage of the car's price, and the legislation removes existing surcharges for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds in fiscal year 2027 to pay specific settlement claims against the state. It allocates money to compensate three individuals under the Imprisonment and Exoneration Remedies Act for damages related to their incarceration and exoneration. Additionally, the bill provides a separate payment to Mark Carroll for permanent injuries sustained while incarcerated. The legislation directs these funds to the commissioner of management and budget and the commissioner of corrections for distribution by June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's eviction notice requirements for nonpayment of rent, directly affecting landlords and residential tenants. It requires landlords to provide written notices specifying the total amount due, a detailed accounting of rent and fees, and specific statements about legal aid resources and financial assistance programs. The notice must now give tenants 30 days (instead of 14) to pay or vacate before eviction action, aligning with the state's effective date of July 1, 2026. Landlords must deliver notices personally or by mail to the tenant's address at the leased premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3565) requires landlords in Minnesota to give prospective tenants the right to view a rental unit before signing a lease. Landlords must notify tenants of this option and allow either in-person visits or remote electronic viewings upon request. The law voids any lease agreement that waives this right, and tenants can recover triple damages (or $1,000, whichever is greater) plus attorney fees for violations. It directly affects landlords and renters in Minnesota housing transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time $2 million grant program in fiscal year 2027 to help Minnesota law enforcement agencies hire and train investigative specialists. The funds are intended for agencies that struggle with high rates of unsolved crimes or lack sufficient staff to solve cases, with the goal of increasing the number of offenses cleared and improving support for victims. Grant recipients must use the money to create job roles, develop training, and hire non-peace officer staff who provide administrative and investigative support to detectives. To receive funding, agencies must submit detailed plans outlining their goals and performance metrics, and they are required to report back on how many specialists they hired and the impact those hires had on solving crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota calculates and allocates compensatory education funding for school buildings in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. It changes the revenue formula to use a building compensatory allowance multiplied by the number of compensatory pupils, while also setting minimum funding floors to ensure schools receive at least a certain amount. The legislation allows districts to reallocate up to 40 percent of compensatory funds to different school sites based on board-approved plans, up from the usual 20 percent limit, and appropriates $55.6 million in state funding to support these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public colleges and universities in Minnesota to award college credit to high school students who achieve specific scores on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. Under the new rules, students must receive at least three credits for a score of three or higher on an AP exam, while IB exams require four or higher for three credits on standard levels and four or higher for five credits on higher levels. The legislation applies only to public institutions and sets a future effective date for exams taken on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the authority of the Minnesota Attorney General to issue subpoenas for specific records held by various businesses and organizations. It directly affects telephone and internet providers, utility companies, financial institutions, hotels, pawn shops, transportation services, and insurance firms by allowing the Attorney General to request their data. The key provision requires that these subpoenas be used only when the records are relevant to an ongoing law enforcement investigation. By updating existing statutes, the legislation clarifies the types of entities from which the Attorney General can obtain information for public safety purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota school districts and charter schools to waive specific graduation credit requirements for students enrolled in International Baccalaureate programs. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, eligible students who are on track to complete their IB diploma or career-related program can receive these waivers if the school determines that requiring the credits would prevent them from pursuing their IB studies. The waiver is granted upon parental application and can be revoked if a student is not on track by the start of grade 12, at which point they must complete the originally required credits.