Sen. Sandy Pappas

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota counties, cities, and towns to prohibit or restrict the possession of dangerous weapons, ammunition, or explosives in their owned or leased buildings and land. Local governments must post conspicuous, prominently displayed signs with specific wording (e.g., "BANS GUNS") to communicate the ban, and exceptions apply for law enforcement officers on duty or individuals with written permission. Violating the ban would be classified as a misdemeanor, with the law taking effect on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates Cesar Chavez Day as an official state observance in Minnesota by repealing the existing statute that established the holiday. The law removes the requirement to recognize March 31 as a day dedicated to celebrating the Latino community and honoring Cesar Chavez's contributions to labor rights and social justice. Once enacted, the state will no longer officially observe this day, though the legislative change does not affect private or community celebrations. The measure applies directly to state government operations and removes the legal basis for the annual commemoration.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Minnesota's regulations on infectious and pathological waste by requiring immediate notification when waste is mistakenly sent to unapproved facilities, mandating unannounced inspections of waste generators, and establishing annual internal audits for compliance. It imposes escalating financial penalties ranging from $200,000 to $2,000,000 for repeated violations and directs half of collected fines to the facility that received the waste while funding training programs for proper waste management. The law applies to healthcare facilities, laboratories, and other organizations that generate infectious or pathological waste, with specific exemptions for sharps used by non-employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Yes in God's Back Yard (YIGBY) Housing Act, restricts local government regulations on affordable housing developments proposed by religious organizations in Minnesota. It defines "qualified development" as affordable housing built on land owned by a religious institution for at least one year and establishes a process where municipalities must temporarily suspend enforcement of zoning rules if a religious group claims they impose a substantial burden on religious exercise. Under the law, municipalities must review such claims within 30 days and adjust regulations if they fail to meet strict legal standards requiring a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means. The bill also allows religious institutions to sue for damages or other relief if their rights are violated, including reimbursement for legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota's state grant program for higher education is funded and administered, directly affecting students and the Office of Higher Education. It establishes a new annual appropriation from the state's general fund to cover the costs of state grants and updates the rules for awarding grants based on available funds. The legislation also removes existing provisions that allowed the office to adjust family and student responsibility amounts when grant funds were insufficient or surplus. All changes in the bill take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of up to $5,000,000 in state bonds to fund community tree-planting grants. The money will be provided to the Metropolitan Council, which will distribute the funds to support tree-planting projects in Minnesota communities. The legislation requires the commissioner of management and budget to issue the bonds following state procedures and constitutional requirements. Once enacted, the funding becomes available immediately for the Metropolitan Council to administer the grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $16 million in bonds to fund an indoor recreational dome facility for the city of St. Paul. The funds would be used to design, build, and equip a sports dome at the West Minnehaha Recreation Center to support year-round recreational activities, youth sports programs, and community events. The money would come from the state's bond proceeds fund and be distributed through a grant to the city. The bill requires the commissioner of management and budget to handle the bond sale process according to existing state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Minnesota Secure Choice retirement program by updating definitions and operational requirements for employers and employees. It expands the program's annual reporting requirements to include details on financial performance, program expenses, participation statistics, and potential impacts on social safety net programs. The legislation clarifies which workers are excluded from automatic enrollment, such as those under 18, federal employees, and temporary workers hired for less than 180 days, while allowing some temporary workers to opt into the program. Additionally, the bill establishes specific enrollment windows for new employees and defines a 30-day waiting period for program participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new special license plate in Minnesota for grandparents, requiring them to pay a standard registration fee plus an additional $35 contribution annually. The plates will feature baby footprints and the text "Minnesota proud grandparents," and can be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same person if they meet the eligibility requirements. All $35 contributions collected from plate holders will be deposited into a food shelf support account, with funds used to administer the program and provide grants for food shelf programs. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2027, for plates issued on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the pension adjustment revenue for Independent School District No. 625 in St. Paul by raising the pension adjustment rate from 2.3 percent in 2023 to 5.95 percent for fiscal year 2027 and later. The legislation also adjusts employee contribution rates to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, increasing them from 10 percent to 11.25 percent for the basic program and from 7.5 percent to 8.75 percent for the coordinated program starting July 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill sets limits on total state pension adjustment revenue for fiscal years 2025 and 2028 and later, requiring the commissioner to prorate payments when necessary to stay within those caps. These changes directly affect the St. Paul school district, its employees, and the retirement fund association by altering how much money flows into the pension system.