Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement officers to notify petitioners at least 24 hours before serving a harassment restraining order on a respondent, if the petitioner requests this notification. The law applies to temporary and permanent restraining orders issued under Minnesota's harassment statutes and allows officers to use texting, calling, or emailing to make reasonable notification efforts. This change directly affects petitioners who seek protection from harassment and law enforcement officers who serve restraining orders in Minnesota. The provision aims to improve communication between petitioners and law enforcement during the restraining order process.

Maddy summarySF 3699 bans civil arrests for people attending court as parties, witnesses, or court companions (such as family members, advocates, or interpreters). It protects individuals while traveling to, at, and returning from court, covering courthouse buildings, surrounding streets within 1,000 feet, and parking areas. The law does not apply to arrests for criminal violations or those supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects people accessing courts for civil, criminal, or administrative cases, ensuring they cannot be detained for civil immigration matters or similar issues while participating in court proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the authority of the Minnesota Attorney General to issue subpoenas for specific records held by various businesses and organizations. It directly affects telephone and internet providers, utility companies, financial institutions, hotels, pawn shops, transportation services, and insurance firms by allowing the Attorney General to request their data. The key provision requires that these subpoenas be used only when the records are relevant to an ongoing law enforcement investigation. By updating existing statutes, the legislation clarifies the types of entities from which the Attorney General can obtain information for public safety purposes.

Maddy summarySF 5249 proposes a constitutional amendment to Minnesota that would allow the lieutenant governor to cast a vote in the House of Representatives when the members are equally divided. If the amendment is approved by voters at the 2028 general election, the lieutenant governor's vote would count as if it were cast by an elected member, though they would not be considered a member for other purposes. This change would introduce a tie-breaking mechanism directly into the legislative process for the House of Representatives. The proposal requires a public vote to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summarySF 667 amends Minnesota Statutes section 624.712, subdivision 5, to expand the definition of "crime of violence" for firearms restrictions. It adds specific offenses like aggravated robbery (609.245), domestic assault (609.2242), criminal sexual conduct (609.342-345), and gang-related crimes (609.229) to the list of offenses triggering firearm prohibitions. This directly affects individuals convicted of these specific crimes, as it would now require them to surrender firearms under state law. The change clarifies which existing offenses qualify as "crimes of violence" when determining firearm restrictions under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state of Minnesota to create a centralized online portal and database for collecting certified payroll information from all contractors working on state projects that are subject to prevailing wage laws. The system will allow the public to search and view details about workers, including their job classifications, hours worked, and hourly wages, starting in 2026. Contractors must submit their payroll data through this new electronic system, which will also serve as their official record for meeting existing reporting requirements. The legislation includes funding for the technology and administrative costs needed to establish and maintain the portal.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state program in Minnesota to provide financial assistance to families with newborns and their parents or guardians. The program offers a one-time payment of $1,500 for prenatal expenses and monthly payments of $750 for 24 months after the child's birth, adoption, or placement with a legal guardian. Eligibility is based on Minnesota residency and a legal relationship to the child, with no requirements regarding income, assets, or employment status. To receive benefits, applicants must provide documentation from a health care provider, adoption agency, or other approved source verifying the child's status and their relationship to the child. The bill also authorizes the commissioner of employment and economic development to create rules for administering the program and includes funding for its implementation.

Maddy summarySF 3907 creates a court process allowing victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault to remove an abuser's property ownership rights from a "contract for deed" (a shared ownership agreement for residential property). Victims can petition a court using verified documents like protection orders, law enforcement records, or statements from licensed healthcare professionals or advocates. The abuser and property seller must be notified and given 90 days to contest the request. This specifically applies to residential properties purchased through contract for deed arrangements, not standard mortgages.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires coroners and medical examiners in Minnesota to check for a history of domestic violence in cases of suicide, overdose, or accidental death, and to flag such cases for further investigation. It mandates that these officials offer interviews to family members and consider full autopsies to rule out homicide, while also requiring specific training on identifying concealed homicides. Additionally, the law directs law enforcement to review domestic violence histories to identify the predominant aggressor in cases involving intimate partners and to document these findings. The bill also establishes a process for family members to request investigative records within one year of a case closing and grants them eligibility for victim services. Finally, it updates peace officer training requirements to include instruction on recognizing and investigating domestic violence-related suspicious deaths.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the City of St. Paul can spend money collected from its local sales tax. It directs that tax revenues be used to pay for street and bridge improvements totaling $738 million, as well as capital upgrades to parks and recreation facilities worth $246 million. To proceed with the park and recreation funding, the city must pass a specific resolution and submit it to the state auditor by August 31 of the election year; if this step is missed, that portion of the funding cannot be used. The changes apply retroactively to May 24, 2023, allowing the city to use the funds for these projects without needing new voter approval.