Sen. Scott Dibble

Maddy summarySF 2038 expands opportunities for small businesses owned by minorities or veterans under Metropolitan Council contracts. It allows the Council to directly negotiate contracts (without competitive bidding) for projects under $161,320, and authorizes a 6% bid preference for qualifying small businesses. The bill also requires prime contractors to subcontract at least 75% of work to these businesses and sets payment deadlines with interest penalties for late payments to subcontractors. This directly affects the Metropolitan Council’s procurement of construction, goods, and services, and benefits small targeted group and veteran-owned businesses designated under Minnesota law.

Maddy summarySF 2162 allows cities and counties to adopt approved alternative road design standards for state-aid projects without needing state variance approvals. Local road authorities can use specific guides like AASHTO's highway standards or NACTO's urban design guides, eliminating the need for state review of designs meeting these standards. The bill requires the state commissioner to notify legislators within 30 days if a variance is denied, including the advisory committee's reasoning. This directly affects local governments managing road projects by streamlining design approvals while maintaining safety standards for nonmotorized transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $425,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the St. Paul Transportation Management Organization, and $105,000 for each of those years to the Downtown Minneapolis Transportation Management Organization. The funds are intended to support programming, service expansion, public education, and operations aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled in the metro area. Specific uses include staffing, communications, outreach, and education program development. The appropriations are one-time and must be fully distributed by July 1 each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.575 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.575 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of health for a grant to the Family Tree Clinic. The funding supports the clinic's provision of health services, educational outreach, and workforce training focused on culturally competent care. It directly affects the Family Tree Clinic by providing dedicated state funding for these specific programs. The bill creates no new requirements or restrictions, solely authorizing state funds for existing clinic services.

Maddy summarySF 3354 prohibits private equity companies and real estate investment trusts (REITs) from acquiring or increasing direct or indirect ownership or operational control over healthcare providers in Minnesota after August 1, 2025. The bill directly affects private equity firms, REITs, and healthcare providers (including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and physician groups) by blocking new investments or control changes in these entities. Key provisions define "operational control" (influencing provider policies or leadership) and "ownership interest" (equity, profits, or real estate ties), with the ban applying to all forms of control. The law creates a moratorium effective August 2025, allowing existing arrangements to continue but preventing new acquisitions or control expansions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two grant programs to address Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in Minnesota. The Health Department must award grants to improve education and awareness for healthcare providers, ME/CFS patients, and the public through evidence-based materials and symptom recognition training. The Human Services Department must award separate grants to create or enhance access to support services - including counseling, care coordination, transportation, and workplace accommodations - for individuals experiencing ME/CFS symptoms. Both programs require collaboration with the ME/CFS community (including patients, providers, and experts) and prioritize outreach to underserved groups like rural communities, Tribal Nations, and marginalized populations. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these initiatives.

Maddy summarySF 545 allocates $4.5 million in state funds to create a new entrepreneur innovation center in Minneapolis' Lake Street Corridor. The center will provide dedicated space for low-income business owners to develop their ventures, including a technology accelerator, wellness incubator with production kitchen, and community meeting areas. The funding covers design, construction, equipment, and furnishings for the facility, with the project to be completed by fiscal year 2026. This is a one-time appropriation for the Neighborhood Development Center as the grant recipient.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's commissioner to formally adopt specific rules for the state's ignition interlock program through official rulemaking procedures. It mandates that the commissioner establish performance standards, a certification process, and program guidelines as binding rules under Chapter 14 of state law. The bill directly affects the administration of the ignition interlock program, which is used for drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) who must install breathalyzer devices in their vehicles. This change ensures program requirements are implemented through proper regulatory channels rather than informal directives. The bill does not change program eligibility or penalties but standardizes how the rules are created and enforced.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1920) establishes a formal "Bill of Rights" for Minnesotans under legal guardianship or conservatorship. It directly affects individuals subject to these arrangements by guaranteeing specific rights, including dignity, input on medical decisions, control over daily life, privacy, communication access (with court oversight for restrictions), and the right to petition for changes. Key mechanisms require courts to enforce these rights, mandate consultation with the person about their preferences, and specify that restrictions on communication or rights must be justified, documented, and reviewed by a court. The bill also updates emergency guardianship procedures to require court-appointed legal representation for the person involved. These changes aim to strengthen autonomy and decision-making capacity for those under guardianship.

Maddy summarySF 3324 amends a 2023 law requiring the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies to analyze traffic citation data (speeding, impairment, distraction, seatbelt violations) from 2017-2022. The bill modifies the final report deadline from July 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026, for the Center's evaluation of citation disposition rates, fine amounts, and enforcement patterns. This change directly affects the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (as the contractor), the Commissioner of Public Safety (who must enter the agreement), and legislative committees overseeing transportation policy. The study's scope and requirements remain unchanged; only the submission timeline is extended.