Sen. Doron Clark

Maddy summarySF 4055 requires Minnesota's trunk highway system to follow new maintenance and expansion rules. It prohibits adding capacity to highways if pavement or bridge performance gaps exist (based on asset management plans), and mandates 60-year maintenance plans for major highway projects analyzing costs for preservation, operations, and indirect expenses. The bill also creates a requirement for a 10-year capital investment plan and updates transportation asset management plans to track infrastructure conditions across categories like bridges and pavement. These rules apply to projects entering transportation programs starting in fiscal year 2031.

Maddy summarySF 2972 amends Minnesota law to clarify who counts as a "controlling person" or "controlling individual" when for-profit entities acquire nursing homes or assisted living facilities. It specifically defines these terms to include private equity firms and other entities that collect capital investments from investors, even if no single person holds 5% ownership. The bill excludes banks, government entities, and small shareholders (under 5% ownership) from these definitions. This change ensures regulatory oversight targets actual controlling owners rather than passive investors, directly affecting for-profit facility operators and their ownership structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts, charter schools, and other defined education employers (like service cooperatives and intermediate districts) to join Minnesota's public employees insurance program. It establishes a mandatory health insurance pool for all school employees, replacing their previous option to offer separate coverage. School employers must participate in this program, which provides standardized coverage tiers and high-deductible plan options. The bill amends existing law to implement this requirement without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's public assistance eligibility rules for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses. It specifies that people convicted of a felony-level drug offense within the past ten years may face requirements like receiving benefits in vendor form for housing/utilities and undergoing random drug testing. If testing positive for illegal substances, counties must provide referrals to substance use disorder treatment programs. The bill explicitly excludes cannabis-related convictions from these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for air transport and contracting involving detained individuals in Minnesota. It mandates that airlines and ground service providers collect specific information about detained passengers, including medical history, legal circumstances, and contact details, using a standardized form available in multiple languages. The legislation also prohibits refueling aircraft carrying restrained individuals unless they are moved to climate-controlled areas with access to water and restrooms, and requires monthly reporting on compliance with these procedures. These rules directly affect airline companies, fixed base operators at airports, and emergency response personnel who may need access to the collected information during incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hotels in Minnesota from selling, offering, or providing single-use plastic bottles containing shampoo or conditioner to their guests. The law applies to all establishments classified as hotels under existing state definitions and takes effect on January 1, 2027. Hotels found in violation could face civil penalties of up to $50 per bottle, with a maximum fine of $10,000, and the state attorney general would be responsible for enforcement. The legislation aims to reduce plastic waste by eliminating these specific disposable items from hotel amenities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies an existing appropriation to increase funding for Agate Housing and Services, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis. The legislation allows the organization to use up to $5 million to design, build, and furnish a shelter facility for people experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis. Any remaining funds after the initial project can be used to acquire property and prepare for additional shelter construction in the same city. The change takes effect immediately upon final enactment of the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $375,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Clemency Review Commission. The funding is intended to help the commission process more clemency petitions from individuals seeking relief from their sentences. The money will support the commission's operations and increase its capacity to review cases. This measure directly affects the Clemency Review Commission and the people submitting clemency petitions in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 3655 would ban possession of specific semiautomatic firearms and large-capacity magazines. It defines "semiautomatic military-style assault weapons" to include models like AR-15s, AK-47s, and similar firearms, plus weapons with features like pistol grips, folding stocks, or magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The bill amends existing laws to prohibit owning these items, imposing criminal penalties for violations. It directly affects Minnesota residents who currently possess these banned firearms or magazines. The legislation focuses on restricting specific weapon types and magazine capacities, not broader firearm ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota postsecondary institutions to clearly communicate deadlines for full tuition refunds during the add-drop period, where students can remove courses without being marked as withdrawn. It applies to state colleges and universities, private institutions with Minnesota campuses participating in federal aid programs, and encourages University of Minnesota schools to comply. Institutions must display refund deadlines prominently on their websites, share them directly with students during registration, and include them in student handbooks. The bill also establishes a formal complaint process allowing students to report violations, with the Office of Higher Education empowered to investigate complaints and impose penalties including fines of up to $500 per day per violation or require schools to take corrective action.