Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota law enforcement agencies to use drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) under specific, defined circumstances. It permits drone use during emergencies involving risk of death or injury, to search for missing persons (including children or vulnerable adults), to locate individuals fleeing arrest, and to find escaped inmates from correctional facilities. The authorization is strictly limited to these scenarios and does not allow general surveillance. This directly affects the public during emergencies and missing persons cases, as well as incarcerated individuals in escape situations.

Maddy summarySF 672 appropriates funds from the general fund for a statewide tenant education and hotline service in Minnesota. It provides free, confidential legal advice to all renters through a dedicated hotline and educational resources. The bill allocates specific funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Housing Finance Agency to operate this service. This directly affects Minnesota renters seeking assistance with housing rights and legal questions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota insurance law to require insurers to provide 60 days' written notice before canceling certain policies. It applies to policies less than 60 days old that are declined or canceled for nonpayment, and to midterm cancellations for specified reasons. The bill replaces the current 20-day requirement for some cancellations and 30-day requirement for others with a uniform 60-day notice period. This directly affects individual insurance policyholders who may face coverage loss, giving them more time to address issues or secure new coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the automatic expiration (sunset) of specific property rate increases for four nursing facilities in Minnesota. It directly affects facilities in St. Paul ($10.65 increase), Duluth ($20.81), Chatfield ($21.35), and Fergus Falls ($38.56 for six months), all effective January 1, 2025. The key provision extends these rate increases permanently (or through June 2025 for Fergus Falls) instead of ending them on a set date. The changes apply to the facilities' property payment rates under state law, with the full effect beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 376 prohibits the sale of menstrual products containing arsenic or "chemicals of high concern" (as defined in Minnesota law) within the state. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of menstrual products by banning their sale if they contain these substances. The bill requires manufacturers to notify sellers of prohibited products and mandates labeling for products with intentionally added synthetic chemicals. It also establishes testing requirements and enforcement through the Pollution Control Agency and Commerce Department. The prohibition applies immediately, with rulemaking authority allowing future expansion to other product categories containing these chemicals.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 450 is a resolution urging Congress to pass federal legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C. It cites that D.C. residents (nearly 700,000 people) pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and face the same responsibilities as state residents but lack voting representation in Congress, despite a 2016 referendum showing 86% support for statehood. The resolution directs Minnesota's Secretary of State to send copies to the U.S. President, Congress, and Minnesota's federal representatives. It does not create new laws but formally supports the existing congressional bill (H.R. 51/S. 51) that would admit D.C. as the 51st state with two Senators and one House member. This is a symbolic gesture by Minnesota lawmakers, not a binding policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 210) amends Minnesota Statutes section 290.01, subdivision 31, to clarify that Minnesota's definition of the "Internal Revenue Code" excludes section 530 of Public Law 95-600. This federal provision relates to worker classification rules under the Internal Revenue Code. The change ensures Minnesota employers are not subject to this specific federal rule when applying state tax laws. The amendment takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 208 amends Minnesota's higher education grant law to establish a tuition and fees maximum for certain students. It sets the tuition cap for four-year programs at the highest rate charged by public Minnesota state universities for students who were enrolled in 2025-2026 or earlier, applying from 2027 through 2032. This directly affects undergraduate students who previously attended eligible institutions, capping their tuition costs at the highest public university rate each year. The bill clarifies that "fees" include mandatory charges but exclude optional or student-owned materials. The change takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate Bill 207 prohibits solitary confinement in all state and local adult correctional facilities by banning any cell confinement that deprives inmates of meaningful visual or auditory contact for more than 20 hours in a day or 45 hours in any three-day period. It limits total segregation time to 21 days, requires facilities to identify and protect vulnerable populations (including minors, pregnant people, and those with mental health conditions), and mandates regular reporting to the Department of Corrections. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 243.521 to establish these rules, define key terms, and require facilities to maintain living conditions in segregated housing comparable to general population. This directly affects all inmates in Minnesota's jails and prisons, particularly those in restrictive housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for landlords in Minnesota who use shared meters to bill tenants for electricity and natural gas in residential buildings. It requires that all submeters installed on or after January 1, 2025, meet specific accuracy standards set by the American National Standards Institute. The law also mandates that landlords must investigate tenant complaints about inaccurate meters and refund any overcharges, while allowing landlords to collect undercharges only for the previous six months. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants for the costs of installing, maintaining, or repairing these meters unless the damage was caused by the tenant's willful or negligent actions.