Sen. Foung Hawj

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to preserve the oral histories of Hmong veterans who served in the U.S.-sponsored Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War era. The funds will support Special Guerrilla Units Veterans and Families of USA, Inc. in collecting, documenting, archiving, and preserving these personal accounts. The bill also requires creating educational resources to teach the public and future generations about the history, legacy, and cultural heritage of Hmong communities in Minnesota. This directly affects Hmong veterans and Minnesota's Hmong population by ensuring their wartime experiences are preserved and shared.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to grant to 30,000 Feet, a nonprofit organization, to design, construct, and equip a Black Arts and Tech Center in St. Paul. The center will include facilities like an outdoor performance space, art rooms, and dance spaces, specifically to provide tech training and programming for youth living in poverty. The funding is in addition to prior appropriations and remains available until project completion or abandonment. This directly supports 30,000 Feet in expanding its facilities and services for underserved youth in St. Paul.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from the arts and cultural heritage fund to create competitive grants for developing cultural studies materials. It directly supports schools and communities that lack adequate resources for underrepresented groups, including Hmong, Karen, Somali, Oromo, and oral-based cultures without formal writing systems. Recipients must collaborate with school districts planning to use the materials. The funding targets fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for creating high-quality academic materials to address current gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $155.35 million from Minnesota's Clean Water Fund for fiscal years 2026-2027 to support water quality and park/trail programs. It directs funding primarily to the Department of Agriculture for specific activities, including $3.5 million annually to implement a statewide agricultural water quality certification program, $3.1 million for nitrate trend monitoring and nutrient management practices, and $370,000 for pesticide monitoring. The bill also requires grant recipients to improve disability access and promote diversity in environmental careers. These funds are one-time allocations, available for specific, constitutionally authorized projects under the Clean Water Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $650,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $650,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota Children's Museum. The funds are designated to create new hands-on learning opportunities and expand the museum's community outreach across Minnesota. The bill directly affects the Minnesota Children's Museum, which will receive the grant to support these specific programs. It does not change existing laws but allocates state funding for the museum's educational initiatives.

Maddy summarySF 1763 appropriates funds from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the city of St. Paul for a winter festival on Lake Phalen featuring ice castles. The bill specifically allocates money for the city to host an event where community members can carve and display their own ice sculptures. It directly affects the city of St. Paul as the grant recipient and local residents participating in the festival activities. The key provision is the state funding for this specific cultural event, which would occur in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.25 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) to support small business programs. The funds will directly assist small businesses and entrepreneurs through training, lending, business services, real estate initiatives, and technical assistance - both within Minnesota’s seven-county metro area and outside it. The grant also covers one-on-one entrepreneur support and operations for a cybersecurity center. Unspent funds from the first year may carry over to the second year. This is a one-time appropriation with no further funding authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $300,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $300,000 for fiscal year 2027. The funds are allocated to Hmong Zej Zog, an organization focused on preserving Hmong Minnesotans' cultural heritage. The bill directly supports efforts to maintain Hmong history, language, and cultural traditions in Minnesota. It creates a concrete funding mechanism for these specific preservation activities through state budget appropriations. The legislation does not establish new programs but provides dedicated financial support for existing cultural preservation work.

Maddy summarySF 1764 appropriates funds from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for St. Paul to plan and host cultural exchange events. The bill specifically supports events celebrating relationships between St. Paul and its sister cities in Southeast Asia, focusing on diverse Minnesota communities. This funding, allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directly supports the city of St. Paul in facilitating these international cultural exchanges.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for businesses to apply for and use relocation grants under Minnesota's 2024 economic development program. It requires the commissioner of employment and economic development to reissue the grant request for proposals and make best efforts to provide outreach and technical assistance to eligible businesses. The existing grant funds, originally available until June 30, 2025, will now remain available until June 30, 2026. This directly affects businesses seeking relocation or expansion support through this specific state grant program.