Sen. Omar Fateh

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $954,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $954,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. The funds are designated for the existing Slow the Spread program to monitor, control, and treat spongy moth populations. It directly affects the state's agricultural management efforts and the program's operations. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, supporting ongoing efforts to manage invasive spongy moth infestations.

Maddy summaryHF 2431 is a funding bill that allocates approximately $370 million over two years to Minnesota's higher education system. It directly affects public universities (Minnesota State Colleges, University of Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic), tribal colleges, and students through revised scholarship and aid programs. Key provisions include $232 million for state grants to institutions, $3.15 million for tribal college supplemental assistance (requiring funds to supplement, not replace, existing support), and $3.5 million for American Indian scholarships. The bill also modifies student aid eligibility, institutional licensure rules, and requires new reporting on financial aid programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4 million from state bonds to renovate the Hayden Heights Library in St. Paul. The funds will cover design, construction, furnishings, and equipment for the library's renovation. The state will issue up to $4 million in bonds under Minnesota's bond laws to finance this project. The direct recipient is the city of St. Paul, specifically for work at the Hayden Heights Library location.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1422 authorizes cities to create "land-value taxation districts" where property taxes are based primarily on land value (excluding improvements) rather than total property value. It directly affects property owners within designated districts, requiring cities to adopt ordinances describing the district boundaries and tax reallocation method. Key provisions include mandating a public hearing, requiring cities to evaluate the district's economic impact for 15+ years, and specifying that taxes must be distributed using uniform rates on land value (excluding improvements) as defined in state law. The bill takes effect for property taxes payable in 2026.

Maddy summarySF 2483 is an omnibus higher education funding bill that allocates $370 million for the Office of Higher Education in fiscal years 2026-2027. It directly affects Minnesota students, institutions (including Minnesota State Colleges, the University of Minnesota, and tribal colleges), and the Mayo Clinic through targeted funding streams. Key provisions include $232.5 million for state grants to support student aid, $6.7 million for child care assistance, $3.5 million for American Indian scholarships, and $3.15 million for supplemental grants to tribal colleges (requiring funds to supplement, not replace, existing support). The bill also funds programs like work-study, interstate tuition reciprocity, and student-parent information services, with all appropriations specified in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund for the Hunger-Free Campus grant program during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly provides funding to Minnesota public colleges and universities to support campus food security initiatives, such as meal programs or food pantries. The bill authorizes the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education to distribute these grants under existing law (Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.137). This is a funding measure, not a new policy, aimed at expanding existing hunger prevention efforts at educational institutions.

Maddy summarySF 3391 would exempt special event food stands (like temporary vendors at festivals or fairs) from paying Minnesota's $40 annual statewide hospitality fee. Currently, this fee applies to many food establishments, including seasonal food stands, but the bill specifically removes it for temporary event food stands. The change would directly affect event organizers and temporary food vendors who currently pay this fee. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 157.16, subdivision 3a, to exclude "special event food stands" from the fee requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $21 million for fiscal year 2026 and $21 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Health. The funds will be distributed to community health boards and Tribal governments to support foundational public health services, such as disease prevention and health promotion. Community health boards receive funds under Minnesota Statutes §145A.131, and Tribal governments receive grants under §145A.14 for public health responsibilities defined by each entity. The bill does not change existing laws but provides dedicated funding for core public health operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases minimum liability coverage for traumatic brain injuries from $40,000 to $80,000 per person, split between medical costs ($40,000) and other losses ($40,000). It requires motorcycle insurance policies to include uninsured/underinsured coverage (previously only liability coverage was mandatory for motorcycles). The bill also establishes a traumatic brain injury recovery account funded by a new surcharge on auto insurance policies, with insurers required to notify policyholders about the program. These changes apply to policies issued or renewed on or after August 1, 2025, directly affecting motorcycle owners, brain injury victims, and auto insurers.

Maddy summarySF 3133 establishes specific rights for people using homeless shelters in Minnesota. It guarantees rights including dignity and respect without discrimination, safe and clean facilities with adequate space and hygiene, reasonable accommodations for disabilities (including service animals), privacy during personal activities, confidentiality of personal records, and clear written information about shelter rules and community resources upon admission. Shelters must provide this information in an accessible format and cannot share personal records without consent. The bill applies to all non-Tribal homeless shelters in Minnesota but excludes shelters operated by tribes or located on tribal land.