Sen. Zaynab Mohamed

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts state funding for special education and English learner programs in Minnesota to account for inflation. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the amount districts receive will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), replacing fixed percentage formulas. Specifically, it amends Minnesota Statutes sections 124D.65 (English learner funding) and 125A.76 (special education cross subsidy aid) to tie funding adjustments to inflation rates. School districts receiving these funds will see their aid automatically increase each year to maintain purchasing power, with caps preventing the cross subsidy factor from exceeding 80% in any year.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to establish the Minnesota Age in Place Network through a grant to Age Well at Home. It directly affects low- to moderate-income homeowners aged 60+ who own their homes, by funding home modifications and safety renovations (like grab bars or ramps) at their residences. Each project is capped at $20,000, and up to 10% of the grant can cover administrative costs for the network’s setup and maintenance. The funding is specific to home safety improvements, not broader services or income support.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's foster care rules for relatives caring for children. It expands the definition of "related" to include important friends with significant relationships to the child or family. Relatives seeking foster care must now complete infant safety training within 30 days of licensure (previously only required for non-relatives), and county agencies must provide information about licensing options through private agencies. The bill also updates background check requirements for household members and ensures caregivers receive training on preventing sudden infant death and abusive head trauma.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funding from the general fund for Minnesota's vocational rehabilitation services program. It authorizes specific amounts for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the program administered under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268A. The funds will directly support the state's vocational rehabilitation services, which help individuals with disabilities gain employment skills and find jobs. This is a funding bill, not a policy change, and provides the necessary resources for the existing program to operate.

Maddy summarySF 2509 establishes Minnesota's Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic Resiliency Program to support local sustainable food systems. The bill provides financial and technical assistance to urban and rural producers in regenerative food systems, including funding for infrastructure like storage facilities, neighborhood food commons, weather-resilient water systems, and culturally relevant food access programs. It specifically requires support for Black, Indigenous, and people of color food producers and creates a fund to make fruits and vegetables affordable across all income levels. The program will be administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development with guidance from an advisory committee representing diverse community stakeholders.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $350,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to provide a one-time grant to Girls Rock, a nonprofit organization. The funds are intended to train local workers through programming, job readiness services, placement support, and related capacity-building activities. Up to 10% of the total amount may cover administrative costs for Girls Rock. The grant expires on June 30, 2027, and directly affects the nonprofit organization and the workers it serves.

Maddy summarySF 2215 modifies requirements for Minnesota's "Waiver Reimagine" program, which helps individuals with disabilities access community-based services. The bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Waiver Reimagine with 10 members, including four people currently receiving waiver services (with geographic and service-hour diversity requirements), legislators, county staff, and disability advocates. It requires the human services commissioner to submit waiver plans to this Task Force for approval before seeking federal approval, allowing six months for public input and revisions. The bill also updates reporting rules, mandating detailed plans for service menus, budget adjustments, and individualized budget ranges based on need - not location - before December 2026. This directly affects individuals receiving waiver services, county social services staff, and disability service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $5 million in state bond funds to help Minneapolis upgrade public sidewalks and curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. It directly affects Minneapolis residents, particularly people with mobility disabilities who use public sidewalks, by funding accessible pedestrian infrastructure. The key mechanism requires the city to secure matching funds from non-state sources before receiving the state grant, and authorizes the state to sell bonds up to $5 million to cover the cost. The funds are specifically for constructing ADA-compliant facilities in public right-of-way areas like streets and sidewalks.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1719 creates a 11-member Task Force on Mandatory Minimum Sentences to study current sentencing practices. The task force will collect and analyze data on charges, convictions, and sentences involving mandatory minimums (like those in statutes 152.021, 152.022, and 609.11), including how often judges or prosecutors mitigate these sentences. It will assess whether current laws promote public safety and sentencing equity, and gather input from defense attorneys, victims' groups, and people impacted by mandatory minimums. The task force must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by August 2026, but the bill itself does not change sentencing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires an independent audit of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) to assess its compliance with equal opportunity laws, policies, and programs. It appropriates funds for the state auditor to hire an auditor and establish a citizen oversight committee, in collaboration with the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, to identify housing access disparities affecting African Americans in Minnesota. The committee will inventory relevant equal opportunity laws, oversee the audit, and submit findings and recommendations to state leaders before the 2026 legislative session begins. The audit and committee process directly affect MHFA’s operations and state oversight of housing programs.