Sen. Scott Dibble

Maddy summarySF 217 appropriates $25 million from the general fund for Minnesota's Small Cities Assistance Account, specifically for fiscal year 2026. The funds will be distributed to qualifying small cities in July 2025 to support local transportation infrastructure projects, as outlined in Minnesota Statutes section 162.145. This is a one-time allocation, not a new program, and directly affects small cities meeting eligibility criteria under existing law. The bill does not change current rules but provides specific funding for infrastructure needs in smaller communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150 million from the trunk highway fund for the Corridors of Commerce program in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly provides funding to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to support infrastructure projects designated as "corridors of commerce" under state law. The funds will be used for transportation improvements along specific commercial routes, as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 161.088. This is a funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely allocating existing highway funds for designated transportation corridors.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how sales tax revenues from vehicle repair and replacement parts are distributed. Beginning in 2024, 43.5% of these tax proceeds (increasing to 71.5% by 2030) will go to the highway user tax distribution fund for road maintenance, while a growing percentage (starting at 3.5%, rising to 56.5%) will fund the transportation advancement account. The remaining portion flows to the general fund. It directly affects the allocation of tax money collected from customers purchasing car repair parts, tires, and fluids at auto shops. The change applies to sales taxes collected under Minnesota Statutes §297A.62, subdivision 1.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million from state bond proceeds to fund Minnesota town roads and bridges. Specifically, $25 million is allocated for town roads and $10 million for town bridges, to be distributed by the commissioner of transportation per existing law (Minnesota Statutes 162.081). The state will sell bonds up to $35 million under established bond procedures to cover these costs. The funds directly support local infrastructure maintenance for Minnesota's town governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100 million from the general fund for the Corridors of Commerce program in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are directed to the Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner to support the program's existing operations under Minnesota Statutes section 161.088. The bill provides no new policy changes, only funding for a program focused on transportation infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales tax exemption for equipment used by restaurants, mobile food units, and catering services to prepare food or serve beverages. It exempts purchases or leases of qualifying equipment like ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, coffee machines, and food prep tools - up to the point of customer delivery - but excludes items like linens, tableware, and delivery vehicles. The exemption applies to sales made after June 30, 2025, directly reducing costs for food service businesses purchasing essential operational equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits animal shelters, humane societies, and animal control facilities in Minnesota from knowingly using nonanesthetic gases (like carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide) to euthanize pet or companion animals. It applies to all private and public facilities listed in the bill, including pounds and animal control centers. Violating this law would be a misdemeanor offense. The ban takes effect on August 1, 2025, and replaces existing provisions in Minnesota Statutes chapter 343.

Maddy summarySF 181 authorizes the state to sell up to $20 million in bonds to fund the Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Program. The funds will be used to provide grants to rail service providers for projects improving rail infrastructure and operations, as outlined in Minnesota Statutes section 222.50. This bill directly affects rail operators and communities seeking funding for rail service enhancements. The program is financed through bond sales following state constitutional and statutory procedures for bond issuance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota political subdivisions to grant property tax abatements (temporary tax reductions) specifically for land bank organizations. Land banks - defined as nonprofits or related LLCs managing vacant, blighted, foreclosed, or tax-forfeited properties for redevelopment - would qualify for these abatements under new provisions. The abatement period is limited to five years for land bank properties, and must align with public interest goals like redeveloping blighted areas or preserving tax bases. This directly affects land banks and the communities where they operate by reducing their tax burden during property rehabilitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for landlords in Minnesota who use shared meters to bill tenants for electricity and natural gas in residential buildings. It requires that all submeters installed on or after January 1, 2025, meet specific accuracy standards set by the American National Standards Institute. The law also mandates that landlords must investigate tenant complaints about inaccurate meters and refund any overcharges, while allowing landlords to collect undercharges only for the previous six months. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants for the costs of installing, maintaining, or repairing these meters unless the damage was caused by the tenant's willful or negligent actions.