Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's felony murder and aiding/abetting murder laws to set stricter standards for criminal liability. It requires that for felony murder convictions, a person must have been a "major participant" in the underlying felony who acted with "extreme indifference to human life" (e.g., using a deadly weapon or causing serious harm). For aiding/abetting murder convictions, it now requires proof the person intentionally aided with the specific intent to cause death. The bill also authorizes retroactive relief for some past aiding/abetting murder convictions and revives a task force to study these cases. These changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 1627 requires the Minnesota Department of Corrections to develop a policy providing cultural programming services to American Indian inmates in state correctional facilities and community-based programs. The policy must include services such as teaching work skills for post-incarceration self-sufficiency, fostering cultural pride, improving staff understanding of American Indian culture, and involving tribal leaders and family partnerships. These services aim to support rehabilitation and community reentry while building trust with Tribal Nations. The bill directly affects American Indian inmates and the Department of Corrections, which must implement these programs within available funding.

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 summarySF 2826 amends Minnesota law to allow people convicted of crimes to petition courts for new fingerprint or DNA testing on trial evidence when such technology wasn't available at the time of trial. To qualify, petitioners must show identity was an issue in their case and the evidence has maintained proper custody. Courts must approve the testing if it could prove innocence using scientifically accepted methods, with conditions to protect evidence integrity. This applies to current postconviction proceedings under Minnesota Statutes § 590.01.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies eligibility for clearing criminal records or reducing sentences for past marijuana-related offenses in Minnesota. It directly affects individuals convicted of specific marijuana sales or possession crimes (listed in the bill's statute references) who meet four key conditions: the offense didn't involve weapons or harm, the act would now be a lesser offense or legal, and there are no pending appeals. The bill specifically defines "lesser offense" as a nonfelony for those originally charged with a felony. It does not create new eligibility but makes existing rules clearer for people seeking record relief under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Minnesota school boards can renew expiring referendums without requiring a new voter vote. It directly affects school districts that need to extend existing funding referendums. Key provisions require school boards to: keep the same per-student funding level (or inflation-adjusted), renew for no longer than the original term, hold a public hearing with recorded votes, and submit the resolution by specific deadlines (June 15 before expiration, with a September 1 submission deadline). The changes apply retroactively to resolutions adopted since June 16, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that protections for child abuse victims during interviews apply to **all recordings** (including audio), not just video. It updates terminology in statutes governing child sexual abuse materials to ensure consistency, such as replacing "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" in multiple sections. The changes affect **child abuse victims** whose interviews are recorded, ensuring their privacy and safety during legal proceedings, and **individuals accused of distributing or possessing child sexual abuse materials** by standardizing legal definitions. The bill makes technical amendments to Minnesota statutes without creating new penalties or altering existing legal standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to the city of St. Paul. The funds are specifically for expanding the Right Track youth internship program, which connects young people from families struggling with housing costs to paid internships. The program develops work readiness skills, provides mentorship, and helps youth explore career paths. This is a one-time funding allocation to support the city's existing initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Minnesota Humanities Center, which will distribute it as a grant to the nonprofit organization 30,000 Feet. The funds are designated to support youth and community artists in developing artistic skills, creating community art projects, and promoting African American history and culture through artistic performances. The grant directly affects 30,000 Feet and the artists and communities they serve in Minnesota. The bill does not change existing laws but allocates specific funding for these arts and cultural heritage activities.

Maddy summarySF 2657 extends the expiration date of St. Paul's local sales tax from December 31, 2042, to December 31, 2060. This tax funds specific city projects approved by voters, such as infrastructure improvements. The bill directly affects St. Paul residents who pay this sales tax and benefit from the funded projects. The key provision amends existing law to delay the tax's expiration by 18 years, allowing continued funding for approved projects.