Sen. Scott Dibble

Maddy summarySF 4055 requires Minnesota's trunk highway system to follow new maintenance and expansion rules. It prohibits adding capacity to highways if pavement or bridge performance gaps exist (based on asset management plans), and mandates 60-year maintenance plans for major highway projects analyzing costs for preservation, operations, and indirect expenses. The bill also creates a requirement for a 10-year capital investment plan and updates transportation asset management plans to track infrastructure conditions across categories like bridges and pavement. These rules apply to projects entering transportation programs starting in fiscal year 2031.

Maddy summarySF 4014 requires a licensed human driver to be physically present in the driver's seat of a commercial motor vehicle whenever an automated driving system (designed to handle all driving tasks without a human, such as SAE levels 4 or 5) is used for operation. The human must monitor the vehicle and intervene if necessary to prevent unsafe or illegal driving. Violations by vehicle owners or lessors result in escalating fines, starting at $2,000 for a second offense, with penalties doubling for each subsequent violation.

Maddy summarySF 2972 amends Minnesota law to clarify who counts as a "controlling person" or "controlling individual" when for-profit entities acquire nursing homes or assisted living facilities. It specifically defines these terms to include private equity firms and other entities that collect capital investments from investors, even if no single person holds 5% ownership. The bill excludes banks, government entities, and small shareholders (under 5% ownership) from these definitions. This change ensures regulatory oversight targets actual controlling owners rather than passive investors, directly affecting for-profit facility operators and their ownership structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the maximum amount of state funding allowed for port development projects in Minnesota. It changes the current limit so that state assistance cannot exceed 80 percent of a project's total cost, which is an increase from the previous 75 percent cap. The legislation also clarifies that state funds cannot be used to match other state funding sources and confirms that the state will not assume ongoing financial responsibility for commercial navigation facilities. These changes directly affect the Minnesota Department of Transportation and port authorities seeking state grants for infrastructure improvements. The bill aims to provide more flexibility for port development projects while maintaining specific restrictions on how the funds can be utilized.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's transportation design standards to give local governments more flexibility in requesting variances from state engineering rules for county state-aid projects. It requires the Department of Transportation commissioner to evaluate variance requests within 30 days and mandates that denials include written justification shared with legislative committees. The law specifically prioritizes variances for designs that narrow lanes in urban areas, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists near schools and transit, or follow nationally recognized design guides. These changes apply to roadway projects approved on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies an existing appropriation to increase funding for Agate Housing and Services, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis. The legislation allows the organization to use up to $5 million to design, build, and furnish a shelter facility for people experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis. Any remaining funds after the initial project can be used to acquire property and prepare for additional shelter construction in the same city. The change takes effect immediately upon final enactment of the bill.

Maddy summarySF 3670 extends the deadline for certain cannabis and hemp product testing requirements. It delays the requirement that labs testing lower-potency hemp edibles and hemp consumer products (without intoxicating cannabinoids) must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 until May 31, 2027 - previously set for January 1, 2026. This directly affects cannabis and hemp businesses selling these products, giving them more time to meet lab accreditation standards. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 342.61 to update this deadline, ensuring continued compliance without disrupting sales during the transition period. The change is limited to the testing deadline and does not alter other product testing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits corporations and limited liability companies from participating in election activities, including donating money or resources to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. It directly affects business entities incorporated in Minnesota by explicitly removing their legal authority to engage in political spending or influence elections. The law defines election activity as any monetary or in-kind contribution made to aid, promote, or defeat candidates, parties, or ballot questions, and clarifies that such powers are not granted through corporate charters or state statutes. Additionally, the bill establishes that corporate actions taken in violation of this prohibition would be considered unauthorized, though it outlines specific legal procedures for challenging such actions in court.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs 10% of the cannabis gross receipts tax revenue to fund a new youth grant program in Minnesota, starting in 2026. The program will provide grants to organizations offering after-school activities, mentorship, restorative justice initiatives, and other services that support youth development, mental health, and prevention of substance use. Priority funding will go to communities disproportionately affected by cannabis criminalization, while ensuring statewide distribution. The commissioner of children, youth, and families must report annually on grant awards and how the funds are used to legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's cannabis and hemp business licensing rules and product labeling requirements. It allows businesses to hold multiple lower-potency hemp edible licenses and also hold a cannabis business license, while removing the previous restriction that hemp license holders could not own cannabis licenses. The bill also updates labeling requirements for cannabis and hemp products to include clearer information about product type, usage directions, and child safety warnings. These changes affect cannabis and hemp businesses operating in Minnesota by adjusting what licenses they can hold together and what information must appear on their product packaging.