Sen. Scott Dibble

Maddy summarySF 2435 modifies Minnesota's school safety requirements by making it mandatory for public school districts and schools to provide specific programs. The bill requires schools to teach students to identify and prevent prohibited conduct (like bullying), develop conflict resolution skills, and train student bystanders to report incidents. It also updates the state model policy to clarify how schools must address students with disabilities, prevent inappropriate special education referrals, and ensure equal access for all student groups. Schools must implement these changes by July 1, 2025, with the state providing resources and a complaint process for noncompliance.

Maddy summarySF 3161 modifies how Minnesota allocates funds collected from railroad and pipeline companies. It reduces the annual assessment from $4 million to $3,418,000 and specifies that $560,000 must fund environmental preparedness activities, $1.5 million must support grade crossing safety, and the remainder must cover emergency preparedness. The bill also requires an annual report on fund usage and mandates that any account balance exceeding $2 million be transferred to grade crossing safety. This directly affects railroad and pipeline companies operating in Minnesota that pay these assessments.

Maddy summarySF 2436 protects students and educators by prohibiting school districts from banning or restricting culturally relevant classroom materials solely based on viewpoint. It defines "culturally relevant resources" as noncurricular items reflecting student and community diversity, such as displays or books. Schools may still refuse materials for practical reasons (like space), pedagogical concerns (age-appropriateness), or legal compliance, but cannot target materials due to their message. The law applies to all public school districts and charter schools, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 3155 cancels $15 million in previously allocated funds for ALS research and appropriates $15 million from the general fund for a one-time collaborative research partnership between the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and the Mayo Clinic. This funding supports ongoing ALS research with the goal of improving lives for those affected and finding a cure, directly impacting researchers at these institutions. The bill requires the University of Minnesota to submit annual reports starting January 2026 detailing how funds are used until 2030 or when fully expended. It repeals the prior ALS research appropriation law (Laws 2022, chapter 42, section 2) that had managed smaller, multi-year grant programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $11.125 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to Minnesota's commissioner of human services. The funds are specifically designated to support sexually exploited youth and youth at risk of sexual exploitation under Minnesota Statutes §256K.47. At least $9 million each year must be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, regional navigation services, and housing programs. The bill directly affects vulnerable youth by funding immediate safety and housing resources through existing state human services programs.

Maddy summarySF 2685 requires the Minnesota State High School League to secure catastrophic accident insurance covering student athletes in all league-sponsored sports, including pregame/postgame activities and ninth graders. The policy must provide at least $10 million in lifetime coverage per injury with a $50,000 deductible, covering medical care, medications, vehicles, and wheelchairs related to the injury. The bill directly affects all student athletes, managers, trainers, and cheerleaders participating in Minnesota high school league activities. It also mandates specific payments to two former athletes injured in 2011 (hockey) and 2022 (football) for expenses not covered by insurance, effective after 2025.

Maddy summarySF 2327 creates a Minnesota-specific New Markets tax credit program to incentivize investments in low-income communities. It allocates $100 million for investments in "qualified active low-income community businesses" in Greater Minnesota (non-metro counties) and $100 million for similar investments in metro counties. Investors receive tax credits over six years (0% for first two years, 10% annually for the next five) based on equity investments in qualifying community development financial institutions. The program requires businesses to meet specific criteria, such as having principal operations in low-income areas and employing at least 60% of workers locally. The Department of Revenue will administer the credit and report on its implementation.

Maddy summarySF 1385 appropriates $9 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide grants to community-based HIV/AIDS support services providers in Minnesota. The funding, available until June 30, 2027, supports existing local organizations offering direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS. The bill establishes a base funding level of $9 million for fiscal year 2028, ensuring continued financial support for these providers. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new program requirements or eligibility changes.

Maddy summarySF 2215 modifies requirements for Minnesota's "Waiver Reimagine" program, which helps individuals with disabilities access community-based services. The bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Waiver Reimagine with 10 members, including four people currently receiving waiver services (with geographic and service-hour diversity requirements), legislators, county staff, and disability advocates. It requires the human services commissioner to submit waiver plans to this Task Force for approval before seeking federal approval, allowing six months for public input and revisions. The bill also updates reporting rules, mandating detailed plans for service menus, budget adjustments, and individualized budget ranges based on need - not location - before December 2026. This directly affects individuals receiving waiver services, county social services staff, and disability service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the court process for changing sex designations on vital records in Minnesota. It requires applicants seeking a sex change to provide a letter from a licensed physician confirming they've received or are receiving gender transition treatment, which was not previously mandated. The court must then direct the Department of Health to update the individual's birth record or vital records. This directly affects transgender Minnesotans applying to change their sex designation on official documents like birth certificates. The bill amends existing statutes to add this physician certification requirement and specify how courts must handle such requests.