Sen. Omar Fateh

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $25 million in state bonds to fund the second phase of construction at the Avivo regional treatment, career, and employment center in Minneapolis. The funds will be used by Hennepin County for design, site preparation, environmental cleanup, renovation, new construction, and equipping the campus located on Chicago Avenue. Once approved, the state will sell these bonds to generate the necessary capital for the project, which is expected to expand the facility's capacity for serving residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota's Department of Human Services to temporarily stop medical assistance payments to healthcare providers when there is a credible allegation of kickback fraud under investigation. It requires the department to define kickbacks as a form of fraud in its rules and permits withholding funds without prior notice when fraud is suspected, though providers retain the right to appeal the decision. The legislation also mandates that payments be restored once investigations conclude without sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, while allowing forfeiture of funds if criminal convictions occur. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, managed care organizations, and individuals receiving medical assistance in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale and use of paraquat dichloride, a pesticide, in Minnesota. Starting January 1, 2027, no one can sell or distribute this pesticide, and by January 1, 2028, its use is also banned. The state's agriculture commissioner will collect and dispose of any prohibited stockpiles and must submit a report by January 1, 2028, detailing past usage and supply chain status to legislative committees. These measures directly affect farmers, pesticide distributors, and state agricultural regulators. The legislation aims to remove paraquat dichloride from the market through a phased timeline while ensuring proper disposal and oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the governor's ability to appoint individuals to fill vacancies on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. It requires the governor to appoint only candidates recommended by the joint legislative committee if the legislature does not elect someone to fill the vacancy. The law affects the appointment process for board members and strengthens the role of the legislative committee in selecting candidates. This change ensures that when the legislature cannot fill a vacancy, the governor must choose from a pre-approved list rather than selecting any candidate independently.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies enrollment requirements and program integrity rules for medical assistance providers in Minnesota. It directs the commissioner of human services to establish an advisory board, update provider enrollment standards, and conduct audits to improve oversight of the medical assistance program. The legislation expands the commissioner's authority to impose sanctions on providers who engage in fraud, abuse, or billing errors, and clarifies that no criminal conviction is required before sanctions can be applied. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to consider the severity of misconduct when determining penalties and mandates specific reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's higher education policies in three key areas. It changes eligibility for the American Indian Scholars program to include tribal members regardless of residency status, expands reporting requirements for student aid, and establishes new protections for parenting students. Specifically, colleges must provide reasonable accommodations (like excused absences for health needs or flexible scheduling), prohibit requiring parenting students to withdraw or change programs, and ensure they can make up missed work. These provisions apply to all public and private Minnesota colleges offering in-person courses, with the University of Minnesota encouraged to follow the same standards. The bill also repeals an outdated section related to student aid reporting.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill prohibits employers from requesting, requiring, or coercing employees to have microchips implanted in their bodies for any reason. It applies to all employers in the state, including government entities, and defines a microchip as a subcutaneous device containing a unique identification number or personal information that can be scanned externally, while excluding medical implants used for health diagnosis or treatment. Employees who believe they have been forced into such implantation can file a civil lawsuit seeking injunctive relief, actual and punitive damages, and attorney fees. The legislation clarifies that temporary adhesive devices like bracelets do not count as microchips under this law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies a state appropriation to provide a $2.75 million capital project grant to CornerHouse for acquiring property to build a new facility in Hennepin County. The key provision extends the deadline for using these funds from the original date to December 31, 2029, allowing the organization more time to complete the project. This change amends existing state law to update the timeline for this specific funding allocation. The legislation directly affects CornerHouse and the Minnesota Department of Administration, which manages state capital investments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota distributes local affordable housing aid funds from the metropolitan sales tax. It changes the allocation so that 75 percent goes to county-level housing assistance accounts and 25 percent goes to state rent assistance, reducing the previous 50 percent county share. The legislation directly affects how money flows to cities and counties for housing programs by adjusting the statutory distribution percentages. It updates existing Minnesota statutes to reflect these new distribution rules while maintaining the overall funding structure for affordable housing initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially renames the Minnesota Senate Building in St. Paul to honor Kari Dziedzic, a state representative who passed away in 2024. It requires the state to update all official signage and legal references to reflect the new name while ensuring the cost of these changes comes from existing state funds rather than being passed to tenants. The legislation also directs state officials to update the Minnesota Statutes and Rules to include the new building name.