Sen. Scott Dibble

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Housing Finance Agency to collect and report data on contractors receiving agency financing, specifically adding two new categories: veteran-owned small businesses (as defined in Minnesota law) and LGBTQ-owned businesses certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The commissioner must submit an annual report by February 1 of even-numbered years to housing finance committees, detailing the total number and dollar amount of contracts for each business category. The report focuses solely on tracking participation and spending data, not on altering financing rules or eligibility. This affects the Housing Finance Agency in its data collection duties and the contractors who receive agency financing.

Maddy summarySF 931 establishes the Minnesota Health Plan, a state-run program guaranteeing health coverage for all Minnesota residents. It requires the plan to cover all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescription services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. The bill creates a Minnesota Health Board to manage the plan, a Health Fund for financing, and new oversight roles like a patient advocate ombudsman. All residents automatically qualify, with specific rules for temporary out-of-state residents, visitors, and nonresident workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies St. Louis County's unclassified civil service rules and removes outdated funding for historical work. It updates which county positions (like the legislative lobbyist/grant coordinator and county administrator roles) fall under unclassified service, while repealing obsolete statutes that allocated $2,500 annually for county historical society activities. The changes specifically affect St. Louis County government operations and its historical society funding mechanism. The bill makes no new funding commitments but eliminates an existing, unused appropriation provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from state bonds to fund the replacement of wetlands drained or filled during local road repairs, reconstruction, or rehabilitation projects. The Board of Water and Soil Resources will use these funds to acquire land, restore wetlands, and create replacement credits to offset impacts from road projects required under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 103G.222). It authorizes the sale of $15 million in state bonds to finance this program, with funds dedicated specifically to wetland restoration rather than other capital projects. The policy change directly affects local road maintenance projects that require wetland mitigation under state environmental requirements.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1180 modifies how traffic fine revenue is distributed between local governments and state highway funds. The bill changes the current split so that two-thirds of most traffic fines collected by local officers go directly to their law enforcement budgets (with at least half used for policing), while one-third goes to the state highway user tax fund. It also adjusts the split for fines issued by State Patrol troopers (one-third to local entities, two-thirds to the highway fund) and updates surcharge distributions, directing $25 from certain traffic violations to the general fund instead of highway funds. These changes affect local law enforcement agencies, state highway programs, and the Minnesota grade crossing safety account. The bill does not create new traffic laws but alters revenue allocation for existing fines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Division of Driver and Vehicle Services to update its website to show real-time availability for road skills examinations. It mandates that the website display the next available exam dates and times at each location and include a feature allowing applicants to enter an address to find the closest available appointments sorted by distance. The changes apply to all applicants needing a class D road skills test for driver's license issuance. The policy modifies existing website requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 171.13 to improve transparency and accessibility of scheduling. The changes take effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for cost sharing on Minnesota's trunk highway projects. It requires the state transportation commissioner to ensure local governments aren't obligated to pay for costs within a highway's right-of-way that result directly from the project (such as utility relocations), regardless of whether the work benefits non-trunk highways. The bill also appropriates funds from the general fund for these non-trunk highway project costs in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It applies to projects starting construction after July 1, 2025, with exceptions for projects already in the state transportation program before that date. The policy directly affects local governments and the state Department of Transportation in funding highway improvements.

Maddy summarySF 1245 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Natural Resources to consider decommissioning off-highway vehicle (OHV) roads or trails when presented with evidence of significant environmental harm, such as impacts to water quality, aquatic life, or wildlife. The bill mandates that such consideration must be triggered by petitions signed by at least 50 local residents or 100 residents from the county or adjacent counties. It also adds new requirements for environmental assessments before constructing or expanding OHV trails, particularly near sensitive waterways (within 150-200 feet of public waters). This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 84.777 to strengthen protections for natural resources affected by OHV use.

Maddy summarySF 529 proposes adding a new constitutional section to Minnesota's state constitution that states: "Elections shall be free, fair, and equal. No civil or military power shall, at any time, interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting all Minnesotans participating in state elections. The bill requires voters to approve the amendment with a "Yes" or "No" vote on the question: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide for free, fair, and equal elections and prohibit civil and military powers from interfering with the right to vote?"

Maddy summarySF 1104 appropriates $300 million from bond proceeds to fund Minnesota's "Corridors of Commerce" program, which focuses on improving key transportation routes for commerce. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds up to $300 million, with proceeds deposited into the trunk highway fund to finance this program. The commissioner of transportation can use up to 17% of the funds for program administration. This bill directly affects state transportation planning and funding for designated commercial corridors, without creating new policy requirements for businesses or residents.