Sen. Scott Dibble

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $47 million in appropriation bonds to fund grants for emergency shelter facilities that provide safe, sanitary, and accessible housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The bonds can be sold to eligible applicants including tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and local governments, with proceeds placed in a special state treasury fund to pay for debt service and facility costs. The commissioner of administration is given authority to manage the bond issuance, enter into various financial agreements, and determine interest rates and terms for the bonds, which may have repayment periods up to 21 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility rules for redevelopment districts in Minnesota, directly affecting local governments and developers seeking tax increment financing. It updates criteria for qualifying areas by requiring 70% of a district's area to have substandard buildings (with 50% needing major renovation) or adding new qualifying conditions like tank facilities over 1 million gallons or disaster areas. The bill repeals outdated "renewal and renovation districts" and shortens duration limits for existing districts. It also clarifies that buildings aren't disqualified from substandard status if repairs cost under 15% of rebuilding a new structure. These changes streamline how communities can designate areas for redevelopment funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Land Monument Protection Fund in Minnesota to support the Public Land Survey System monument grant program. It establishes new recording fees for mortgages and deeds that will be collected by county recorders and deposited into this fund. The mortgage recording fee is set at 0.23% of the debt amount, while deed recording fees vary based on transfer value, ranging from a flat $1.65 to 0.33% of net consideration for larger transfers. All revenue generated from these fees will be used to fund the monument grant program, with the changes taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals who own firearms in Minnesota to purchase and maintain liability insurance that covers damages from negligent or accidental discharge, with a minimum coverage of $250,000 per occurrence. The law applies to all firearm owners starting January 1, 2027, with existing owners given until February 15, 2027, to comply, while exempting law enforcement and active duty military personnel acting in official duties. Insurance companies must collect a surcharge on firearm liability premiums, which will be deposited into a gun harm reduction account. Violations of the insurance requirement are classified as misdemeanors, with repeat offenses punishable as gross misdemeanors and fines of at least $1,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Minnesota State Patrol to provide security and protective services to the governor, governor-elect, supreme court justices, legislators, and other constitutional officers when credible threats to their safety are identified. It requires the commissioner of public safety to consult with the governor before deploying State Patrol members for protection duties and allows for overtime compensation for those providing security services. The legislation also creates a new Capitol Complex Security Division within the Department of Public Safety, placing it under the supervision of a director who must be a State Patrol member. Additionally, the bill mandates that the State Patrol provide security to state buildings and property as needed after consultation with the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded supplemental energy assistance program in Minnesota to help low-income households with heating costs. It directly affects Minnesota residents with household incomes below 60% of the state median income, providing grants for primary heat, crisis situations, emergency heating repairs, or outreach support. Key mechanisms include appropriating one-time state funds for FY2026 (available until 2031), requiring priority for expanding assistance to new households over increasing existing grants, and mandating annual reports on program outcomes by county and demographic factors. The program supplements existing federal LIHEAP benefits for households that did not receive full federal crisis grants or were not served by federal programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state rapid start program to improve HIV treatment access by requiring immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy within one to seven days of diagnosis. It directly affects health plans and patients by prohibiting prior authorization, step therapy protocols, and cost-sharing for HIV treatment and prevention services. The legislation creates a state-level program to oversee and fund local rapid start initiatives, ensuring timely access to care through streamlined administrative processes and financial support.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time period that natural organic reduction facilities in Minnesota can hold deceased human bodies before beginning the natural reduction process, increasing the limit from 24 hours to 30 days. The amendment applies to facilities that accept legal and physical custody of bodies for natural organic reduction and requires refrigeration if a body is held for more than four calendar days. If the natural reduction process is not started within 30 days, the facility must either embalm the body or have it embalmed, unless the process begins within that timeframe. The change directly affects funeral service providers and natural organic reduction facilities by allowing more time to initiate the reduction process without mandatory embalming.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time $300,000 grant program in fiscal year 2027 to help children in Minnesota's foster care system who are noncitizen immigrants. The funds will support partnerships between social services agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations to help these children obtain legal documentation and permanent immigration status. To receive funding, applicants must show a partnership between a social services agency and a nonprofit with specific expertise in immigration law and experience working with diverse communities. The grant money must be used to screen foster children for legal documentation needs and provide legal assessments and representation to help them attain legal status. The bill also includes data privacy protections that limit how personal information about children receiving services can be shared.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Community Schoolyards Grant Program in Minnesota to help create park-like outdoor spaces at elementary and secondary schools that serve as learning environments and community recreation areas. The program provides funding through two components: planning and design grants of up to $150,000 and construction grants of up to $850,000, available to local governments or school districts. To qualify, applicants must partner with a community-use partner like a local government or school district and demonstrate plans for the space to be accessible to the public outside school hours. The bill also requires applicants to show partnerships with organizations experienced in outdoor education and plans for matching funds or in-kind contributions.