Sen. Sandy Pappas

Maddy summarySF 2407 modifies tax increment financing (TIF) rules for St. Paul's Ford Site Redevelopment District. It allows the city to waive receiving tax increments for the first four years or until 2023 taxes, whichever occurs first. If waived, the district's certification date for time limits is adjusted to January 2 of the year the first increment is received. The bill extends the period for using tax increments from five to ten years and the subsequent use period from five to eleven years for this specific district.

Maddy summarySF 2549 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Minnesota counties, cities, and school districts to set the voting age at 16 for local elections (like school board or city council races), while keeping the state voting age at 18. If approved, local governments could adopt resolutions enabling 16-year-olds to vote in elections specific to their jurisdiction, but they would still need to meet standard voter requirements like U.S. citizenship and residency. The bill also updates election statutes to clarify that 16-year-olds voting locally cannot cast ballots for state or federal offices. This amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election for approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from state bonds to fund safety improvements at St. Paul's Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. The city of St. Paul will use the funds to design, renovate, and equip capital safety upgrades at the venue. The state will issue bonds to cover the cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The funding directly supports the Ordway Center's physical safety infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers specific parcels of state-owned land at the Cloquet Forestry Center in Carlton County to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, with no cost to the university. It appropriates $1.3 million to pay off existing state bonds financing improvements on the property, enabling the transfer. Once the debt is paid, the land will no longer be considered state bond-financed property. The transfer supports the university's goal of returning the land to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers from misclassifying employees to avoid providing proper wages or benefits. Specifically, it amends Minnesota law to ban employers from placing workers in job categories or titles that falsely represent their actual duties, experience, or responsibilities (e.g., labeling a full-time worker as an independent contractor). The law directly affects employers who misclassify workers and protects employees who are denied rightful compensation, overtime, or benefits due to inaccurate job classifications. It adds a specific prohibition to Minnesota Statutes § 181.03, making such misclassification a clear violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund to the Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota, Inc. (a nonprofit organization) for the predesign, construction, and equipping of a facility in St. Paul. The funds will support a physical space dedicated to celebrating Hmong culture and fostering cross-cultural awareness through programming. The appropriation is one-time and available until project completion, directly benefiting the Hmong community and broader public in St. Paul.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2202) allows the city of St. Paul to issue on-sale liquor licenses to two specific venues: the Science Museum of Minnesota (at 120 West Kellogg Boulevard) and the Union Depot (at 214 Fourth Street East). It amends state law to override standard zoning restrictions and distance requirements that would normally prevent such licenses. The licenses would permit alcohol sales every day of the week at these locations, as specified in the bill text. This change directly affects the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Union Depot by enabling them to serve alcohol on their premises. The bill is procedural, focusing on granting specific licensing authority rather than broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the Rondo Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization. The funds will support the trust in acquiring, developing, and improving properties between Dale Street North and St. Albans Street North in St. Paul. The grant covers site improvements, infrastructure, and landscaping for these specific parcels, with funds available until project completion.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $20 million in state bonds to fund park and trail improvements in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The funds will be used by the Metropolitan Council and local governments for capital projects like park upgrades, trail construction, and acquiring open-space lands - excluding easements. The money comes from bond sales, following standard state borrowing procedures outlined in Minnesota law. It directly affects regional park systems and local communities by providing dedicated funding for recreational infrastructure.

Maddy summarySF 1888 authorizes Minnesota to issue up to $1 million in state bonds to fund electric bus charging stations for school transportation. The bill appropriates $1 million from bond proceeds to the commissioner of commerce for grants to eligible school districts and public transit providers under Minnesota Statutes § 216C.374. These grants will support installing Level 2 and Level 3 charging infrastructure specifically for electric buses used to transport students. The funding mechanism relies on state bond sales, not general appropriations, and aligns with the existing electric school bus deployment program.