Sen. Sandy Pappas

Maddy summarySF 4013 appropriates $250,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the city of Hermantown for preserving and renovating the historic home, museum, and park of former state representative Mary Murphy. The funding, designated for fiscal year 2027, directly supports Hermantown's efforts to maintain this cultural site. This is a procedural appropriation bill focused solely on allocating funds for preservation, not creating new policy.

Maddy summarySF 3839 authorizes Minnesota to issue $200 million in housing infrastructure bonds to fund housing projects. It establishes annual transfers from the state general fund to a housing bond account, with specific amounts and timeframes: up to $6.4 million yearly from 2015-2037 for one bond series, $800,000 annually from 2017-2038 for another, and smaller amounts for additional series through 2049. The bill directly affects the state budget process and future housing infrastructure projects by creating a dedicated funding mechanism. It does not specify particular housing projects but provides a structured way to finance them through bond issuance and state payments. The bill is currently in committee referral stage and not yet enacted.

Maddy summarySF 4008 appropriates $1.2 million from the state general fund to the Neighborhood Development Center for a new facility called "The Ruckus," designed to support entrepreneurs moving from startup to substantial revenue growth. The funds will cover developing three specific programs: a technology/business accelerator for scaling ideas, a beauty/wellness production program for compliant product launches, and a retail readiness initiative for consumer brands. Equipment, program design, and partnerships with industry and capital providers will be funded using this one-time appropriation, which expires June 30, 2028. This directly affects the Neighborhood Development Center and local entrepreneurs seeking structured growth support.

Maddy summarySF 4065 amends Minnesota law to require the Minnesota State Patrol to provide security for the chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, adding this position to the list of officials eligible for such protection. The bill appropriates $101,000 from the general fund for the 2027 fiscal year specifically for this purpose, with the amount becoming a permanent part of the Supreme Court's budget starting in 2028. This security would be arranged through consultation with the chief justice and is intended to provide ongoing safety measures, similar to protections already provided for other state officials like the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Independence School District No. 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan) to permanently transfer any remaining funds from its building construction account to its operating capital account by June 30, 2026. It allows this transfer without requiring the district to reduce its property tax levy (tax rate). The bill directly affects the district’s financial management by enabling it to use unused construction funds for ongoing operational needs. This is a procedural change that modifies specific fund transfer rules under Minnesota law.

Maddy summarySF 4041 appropriates $225 million in state bond proceeds to fund clean water infrastructure projects across Minnesota. It directly affects municipalities by providing grants for emerging contaminants cleanup ($22 million), matching federal water infrastructure loans ($19 million), municipal water system upgrades ($60 million), and point source pollution control ($124 million). The bill authorizes the state to sell general obligation bonds to raise this funding, with specific allocation requirements for qualified capital projects. This legislation enables local communities to improve drinking water safety and wastewater treatment systems through dedicated state financial support.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Migration Act Account to fund a study and provide reparation grants for American descendants of chattel slavery residing in Minnesota. It creates a dedicated account in the state treasury, appropriates funds to the commissioner of human rights for administering grants, and requires a report on the study's findings. The bill directly affects eligible Black Minnesotans who are descendants of enslaved people, aiming to address historical racial disparities. Key mechanisms include the grant program administration by the commissioner of human rights and the mandatory study to inform future reparations. The bill also includes a formal state apology for historical injustices against Black Minnesotans, as detailed in its findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal rights under Minnesota law and prohibit discrimination. It would protect individuals from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex - including pregnancy decisions, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to all state agencies and political subdivisions. The amendment is self-executing and does not override existing anti-discrimination protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $12.5 million in state bonds and $1.5 million from the general fund to prepare two Capitol complex buildings for future redevelopment. The funds will cover demolition, design, and site work for the Centennial Office Building site and mechanical/electrical upgrades at the Freeman Building to relocate cellular and fiber optic infrastructure. The state will sell bonds to cover the $12.5 million portion, with the $1.5 million coming from regular state funding. These improvements directly affect the Capitol complex properties and aim to ready the sites for future development without specifying the final redevelopment plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's tax code to allow taxpayers to subtract certain damage awards from their individual income tax. It specifically creates a state tax subtraction for damages received in sexual harassment or abuse claims (where federal tax exclusion doesn't apply), or for injuries caused by federal immigration enforcement activities. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and defines "qualifying claim" to cover these two specific scenarios. It directly affects Minnesota residents who receive such damages and file state income tax returns.