Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten

Maddy summarySF 2292 appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2025 and $400,000 for fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to provide a grant to the nonprofit organization 30,000 Feet. The funds are designated for youth apprenticeship jobs, wraparound services, after-school programming, and summer learning loss prevention efforts specifically targeting African American youth in Minnesota. This bill directly provides financial support to 30,000 Feet to implement these targeted youth development programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for a pilot program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations. The grants will train students statewide in global competency skills - including critical thinking, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making - through programs at multiple school sites. Nonprofits receiving grants must contribute a 25% nonstate match, and funds can cover teacher training, curriculum development, and school support. The program is limited to fiscal year 2026 and expires June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million for fiscal year 2026 and $3 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to the commissioner of children, youth, and families. The funds are designated for existing youth intervention programs under Minnesota Statutes section 142A.43, which focus on supporting at-risk youth. The appropriation adds to the base funding for these programs, making the total amount ongoing. It directly affects the state agency administering the programs and the youth served by those specific interventions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for Minnesota employers who misrepresent information to the unemployment system. It amends statutes to set penalties at the greater of $500 or 100% of the financial harm caused - such as overpaid benefits, unpaid benefits, or unpaid employer contributions - instead of fixed amounts. Employers who collude with applicants to fraudulently obtain benefits face similar scaled penalties. Additional penalties of up to $10,000 may apply per employee misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee. The bill directly affects employers who commit fraud or fail to properly classify workers under Minnesota's unemployment and labor rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands training requirements for Minnesota's licensed security officers, specifically affecting those who carry firearms or weapons. It mandates 40 hours of initial training within 21 days of hire (including new topics like mental health crisis response and de-escalation techniques) and 24 hours of annual continuing education for all officers, with an additional 6 hours for armed personnel. The training must cover community health issues, first aid, legal use of force, and building safety threats. These changes, effective January 1, 2026, apply to all security license holders, managers, and employees in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.25 million from Minnesota's renewable development account for fiscal year 2026 to fund a geothermal energy system at Como Zoo in St. Paul. The grant, administered through the commissioner of commerce, will specifically construct a system providing space heating and cooling for the zoo's large cats building. The geothermal system uses underground piping and heat pumps to leverage the earth's constant temperature, as defined in the bill. This directly affects Como Zoo's operations by funding a specific infrastructure upgrade at one of its facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers and insurers to use standardized certificates of insurance for workers' compensation coverage, including scannable QR codes that link directly to verification data in the state's system. Employers must report employee classifications and estimated payroll to the commissioner, while insurers must track issued certificates and flag employers with confirmed fraud or missed audits. The system aims to prevent fraud by ensuring certificates can be verified instantly and linking insurer data to the state's workers' compensation verification system. Enforcement aligns with existing provisions under Minnesota Statutes section 176.184. The bill directly affects employers purchasing workers' comp coverage and insurance providers issuing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $1 million in state funds for the 2026 fiscal year and $1 million for 2027 to support the Minnesota Alliance With Youth's Promise Fellow program. The program partners with AmeriCorps members, schools, and community organizations to provide services like family outreach, academic support, and mentoring aimed at improving student attendance and engagement. It directly affects Minnesota public schools, charter schools, and students struggling with school attendance by connecting them to targeted support services. The funds are appropriated to the Department of Education to administer these grants for the statewide program.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4.5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the YMCA of the North in St. Paul. The funds will cover designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping a Child and Family Wellbeing Center of Excellence in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood. The project is intended to serve local families and children, with the grant available until completion or abandonment. The appropriation becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $375,000 annually for two years (2026-2027) to fund the Minnesota Youth Council through the Minnesota Alliance With Youth. It directs the Department of Education to appropriate these funds for the council's activities, which include youth-led initiatives and civic engagement programs. The funding directly supports youth organizations and participants in Minnesota who engage in council activities.