Sen. Omar Fateh

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1073 is a symbolic joint resolution designating January 16 as Religious Freedom Day in Minnesota. It recognizes the historical significance of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (enacted January 16, 1786) and commits the state legislature to celebrating religious diversity while affirming that religious freedom is a fundamental right for all Minnesotans, regardless of their beliefs or lack thereof. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but encourages respect for all individuals' religious practices and promotes the protection of religious freedom from interference.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new public safety aid program for Minnesota counties, cities, and tribal governments, appropriating $300 million in fiscal year 2026. Aid amounts are calculated based on population using three allowances: county basic (70% of funds), county additional (30% of funds), and local unit allowance (100% for cities/towns). Funds must be used for public safety services like community violence prevention, mental health crisis response, first responder equipment, and training - but cannot cover armored vehicles, police station construction, or misconduct costs. The commissioner will certify payments by September 2025, with full disbursement by December 2025 for 2025 aid.

Maddy summarySF 850 modifies Minnesota law to adjust limitations on optometrists prescribing and administering certain drugs. The bill removes specific duration restrictions: it allows optometrists to prescribe oral antivirals for longer than 10 days, oral steroids for longer than 14 days without physician consultation, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for longer than seven days. These changes apply to optometrists who meet educational requirements and are authorized under Minnesota statute. The bill maintains existing prohibitions, such as bans on intravenous drug administration (except for anaphylaxis), invasive surgery, and prescribing Schedule II/III oral drugs.

Maddy summarySF 764 establishes the "Defend the Guard Act" to restrict Minnesota National Guard deployments. It prohibits sending the Guard or its members into "active duty combat" without either a formal U.S. Congressional declaration of war or specific congressional action under the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 15) to call the Guard for specific purposes like repelling invasion or suppressing insurrection. The bill requires the governor to take all necessary actions to comply with this restriction. It does not affect other deployments, such as those under Title 32 of the U.S. Code for domestic civil support missions. This directly affects Minnesota National Guard members and the state's authority to deploy them for combat operations.

Maddy summarySF 815 modifies Minnesota's Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program to establish new requirements for support workers seeking higher pay rates. It mandates background checks, specific training (including first aid, crisis response, and person-centered planning), and certification for workers providing services to individuals needing 10+ hours of daily support. To qualify for enhanced rates, workers must meet Medicare training standards or complete approved individualized training. The bill affects CFSS support workers and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 818 appropriates $750,000 from the general fund for a one-time grant to the Block Builders Foundation in fiscal year 2026. The funds must be used specifically for programming targeting at-risk youth coaching, financial literacy education, juvenile offender diversion, and community outreach. This bill directly affects the Block Builders Foundation, which will administer these services, and the young people in the community who participate in the specified programs. The legislation creates a concrete funding mechanism for these specific youth development and diversion services without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota municipalities from using "amortization" to phase out existing lawful property uses (like businesses or buildings that were legal when established). It amends state law to require cities to maintain these uses unless specific exceptions apply, such as for adults-only businesses or certain industrial uses in environmental justice areas. The law directly affects local governments, preventing them from enacting zoning rules that gradually eliminate long-standing uses. Key provisions clarify that cities cannot terminate these uses through phased restrictions, ensuring continuity for established property uses. The change takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $8 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the American Swedish Institute. The funds will restore and renovate the historic 1908 Turnblad Mansion (a National Register-listed site) and upgrade the Nelson Cultural Center on the Institute's campus. The grant aims to preserve the mansion and improve visitor experiences at the Institute's facilities. The money is available until the project is completed or abandoned, per state funding rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million from the general fund for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority in fiscal year 2026. The funds are specifically for rehabilitating, preserving, equipping, and repairing deeply affordable family housing units owned by the authority and its affiliated entities, such as Community Housing Resources. It is a one-time appropriation, meaning the funding will not be recurring. The bill directly affects residents living in these deeply affordable housing units by supporting their maintenance and preservation.

Maddy summarySF 255 creates a property tax exemption for specific properties owned and operated by federally chartered veterans service organizations in Minnesota. The bill amends tax laws to exempt qualifying property under a new classification (section 272.02, subdivision 106), directly affecting these veterans organizations by removing property tax liability on their qualifying facilities. Key mechanisms include requiring the commissioner of veterans affairs to annually provide a list of eligible organizations to the commissioner of revenue by January 1, and the exemption taking effect for the 2025 tax assessment year. This policy change specifically modifies tax classification rules without altering existing rates or creating new tax obligations.