Sen. Foung Hawj

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally honors the life and legacy of Choua Thao, a Hmong nurse and community leader who passed away in December 2025. The document recognizes her historic role as the first Hmong woman to train as a nurse during the Secret War in Laos and her subsequent decades of service to refugee and immigrant communities in Minnesota. It acknowledges her specific contributions, including her leadership at Sam Thong Hospital and her work with various Hmong and Lao organizations. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the document and send it to Thao's family as a gesture of recognition.

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 establishes the Minnesota Business Recovery Loan Program to provide financial assistance to businesses that have suffered revenue losses exceeding 30% due to staffing shortages or disruptions caused by increased immigration enforcement activities. The program allocates $100 million in one-time funding, with $18 million designated for zero-interest loans to businesses in greater Minnesota and $82 million for zero-interest loans to businesses in the seven-county metropolitan area through nonprofit lenders. To qualify, businesses must be Minnesota-based, in good standing, and demonstrate that their revenue decline stems from immigration-related events between the bill's enactment and December 1, 2025. Loan amounts vary by business size and location, ranging from $25,000 to $200,000, and funds must be used exclusively for business operations within Minnesota rather than debt repayment or real estate investment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $187.5 million from Minnesota's outdoor heritage fund for conservation projects in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, primarily benefiting land conservation agencies and environmental organizations. The funding supports specific initiatives including acquiring permanent conservation easements and fee lands for wildlife habitats, prairie restoration, and expanding wildlife management areas in designated counties. Money is distributed to partners such as Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, The Nature Conservancy, and local conservation groups for projects focused on native prairie preservation and wildlife habitat enhancement. The appropriations are one-time allocations that must be spent within the specified fiscal years, with reporting requirements to track completed conservation easements and project outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the June 30, 2025 expiration date from Minnesota’s crossbow hunting and fishing allowance. It directly affects hunters and anglers who use crossbows to take deer, bear, turkey, common carp, or native rough fish during regular archery seasons. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 97B.037 to eliminate the sunset provision, making the crossbow allowance permanent. This change ensures the existing crossbow hunting and fishing rules remain in effect without needing future legislative action to extend them. The bill does not alter the current requirements for licenses, transportation, or crossbow specifications.

Maddy summarySF 3857 appropriates $103.288 million from Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for climate resilience and environmental projects. It directly funds specific programs including $3.312 million for AmeriCorps members working with local agencies on environmental projects, $468,000 to develop model land-use ordinances for sustainable communities, $612,000 to create climate-resilient community spaces, $1.22 million for regional climate plans in northeast Minnesota, and $2.603 million to protect community forests from emerald ash borer. These funds support local governments, Tribal Nations, nonprofits, and environmental organizations across Minnesota to address climate impacts and enhance natural resource management. The bill focuses on concrete funding allocations for existing programs rather than new policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $2.3 million in bonds to fund improvements for the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. The funds will be used to renovate and expand a public health laboratory in St. Paul, specifically to enhance surveillance for mosquito and tick-borne diseases. The Metropolitan Council will receive a grant to oversee the design, construction, and equipment of the facility. Once passed, the state commissioner of management and budget will handle the sale and issuance of the bonds to generate the necessary money.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's water discharge notification laws to require public treatment facilities and sewer system owners to inform downstream users, including Tribal governments and drinking water facilities, when a pollution discharge occurs. The key provision adds a new requirement that these facilities must notify potentially impacted parties using the most efficient communication methods available, such as phone calls, social media, or in-person contact, and post signage at affected public areas. The bill also mandates that notices include specific details like the discharge date and time, material description, potential health risks, and contact information for the responsible party. Additionally, the state agency must provide guidance on methods and protocols for delivering timely notifications under these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes May 14 to May 20 each year as Hmong Heritage Week in Minnesota to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Hmong people to the state. The legislation encourages residents, schools, community organizations, and local governments to hold events and educational activities that recognize Hmong heritage and acknowledge the community's service during the Secret War in Laos and their journey as refugees. The governor is also encouraged to issue a proclamation supporting the observance, though the bill does not mandate specific actions from any government entity.

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.