Sen. Omar Fateh

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's student aid and higher education policies to better support parenting students and American Indian scholars. It expands eligibility for the American Indian Scholars program to include enrolled members of Minnesota Tribal Nations regardless of their resident tuition status, while maintaining requirements for undergraduate enrollment and academic progress. The legislation also establishes new protections for parenting students by prohibiting colleges from requiring them to withdraw, change majors, or face penalties due to their parental status, and mandates reasonable accommodations such as excused absences for childcare needs. Additionally, the bill requires postsecondary institutions to provide early course registration access to pregnant and parenting students and to offer leave policies comparable to those for temporary medical conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public cemeteries in Minnesota to allow individuals to be buried according to the rites of their recognized religion, explicitly including green burials. It mandates that these cemeteries permit green burials as long as they follow existing state environmental laws and specific burial regulations. The legislation sets a maximum density limit of 300 green burial plots per acre over 100 years, but allows for higher density if a specific religion requires it as part of its burial rites. These changes directly affect municipalities, towns, and other cemeteries governed by the relevant chapter of the Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes protections for individuals attending court proceedings by prohibiting civil arrests for immigration violations within and around courthouses. It defines specific terms such as "civil arrest" and "court companion" to clarify who is protected and what constitutes a protected activity. The legislation also expands investigations into the use of force by law enforcement and modifies laws related to concealing identity. These changes directly affect people involved in legal cases, their support networks, and law enforcement agencies operating in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies seeking approval to build petroleum pipelines in Minnesota to submit more detailed demand forecasts when applying for a certificate of need from the Public Utilities Commission. The legislation specifically mandates that applicants provide separate annual forecasts for motor fuel and other refined petroleum products covering a 15-year period for both Minnesota and neighboring states. These forecasts must account for multiple factors including population growth, vehicle efficiency, electric vehicle adoption rates, and changes in crude oil prices and transportation infrastructure. Companies must also explain their underlying assumptions and how potential changes in those assumptions could affect their projected demand.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Minnesota to issue bonds and incur public debt specifically for public information technology systems, licenses, and infrastructure. It would add a new provision (section j) to the state constitution, permitting the state and political subdivisions (like counties or cities) to finance capital costs - including design, acquisition, installation, construction, equipping, and servicing - of these IT systems through bonds. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with a specific yes/no question on the ballot. If passed, it would expand existing constitutional authority for public debt to cover modern IT infrastructure needs.

Maddy summarySF 3699 bans civil arrests for people attending court as parties, witnesses, or court companions (such as family members, advocates, or interpreters). It protects individuals while traveling to, at, and returning from court, covering courthouse buildings, surrounding streets within 1,000 feet, and parking areas. The law does not apply to arrests for criminal violations or those supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects people accessing courts for civil, criminal, or administrative cases, ensuring they cannot be detained for civil immigration matters or similar issues while participating in court proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal process in Minnesota allowing individuals subject to civil commitment orders issued on or after January 1, 2015, to request the removal of those orders at any time. The law permits anyone affected by such an order to file a petition if they can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the order was issued by mistake or based on false information. If the court finds these conditions met, it must grant the request and vacate the order, with the option for the party to appeal the decision like any other civil case. The provisions of this act are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows actively licensed peace officers in Minnesota to buy firearms by showing their official badge or government ID instead of a standard transferee permit. The law treats an officer's valid employment identification as legally equivalent to the special permit usually required for such purchases. It directly affects current Minnesota peace officers who need to acquire firearms for official use. The change simplifies the buying process by removing the need for officers to apply for and wait on a separate permit.

Maddy summarySF 3490 establishes minimum salary thresholds for teachers and unlicensed school staff in Minnesota, effective July 1, 2026. It sets a 2026-2027 teacher compensation threshold of $80,000 for master’s degree holders with experience, $100,000 for those with 10+ years of experience, and $60,000 for others, with annual inflation adjustments using the Consumer Price Index. For unlicensed staff, it mandates a $25 hourly wage minimum, also subject to inflation adjustments. The bill includes state aid programs to cover the difference between current salaries and the new thresholds for school districts, requiring districts to pay at least the established minimums for both teachers and unlicensed staff.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of May 3 to 9, 2026, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in Minnesota. The bill aims to increase public and medical knowledge about tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder that can affect people taking certain medications for mental health or gastrointestinal conditions. By officially recognizing this week, the Senate encourages individuals across the state to learn more about the condition's symptoms and importance. This measure serves as a commemorative effort to highlight the need for awareness rather than enacting new laws or funding.