Sen. Rob Farnsworth

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to provide $3.1 million in funding to the City of Buhl for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements. The money will be used to build new pipes, install pumps for commercial properties, connect new homes to municipal systems, and upgrade paved surfaces and curbs to better manage stormwater. The state will issue bonds to raise the necessary funds, which will then be distributed to the city through a grant administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for how organizations in Minnesota can collect and use biometric data like fingerprints, facial images, and voiceprints. It requires individuals to give consent before their biometric information is gathered and prohibits selling or sharing this data without specific exceptions such as law enforcement warrants or financial transactions. The law also mandates that organizations delete biometric data within one year after the original purpose for collecting it ends, with some exceptions for federal or state legal requirements. Violations of these rules could result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per offense, which the state attorney general can pursue.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Minnesota commissioner of natural resources to temporarily store drill cores at locations other than the state drill core library when space is limited. It authorizes the commissioner to restrict or deny access to these stored cores to ensure public safety and prevent damage to the samples. The provision applies to the commissioner's discretion and is set to expire on June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $4.2 million in bonds to fund improvements at the Eveleth wastewater treatment facility. The funds will be used to design, construct, and equip filtration systems while replacing aging infrastructure to meet environmental regulations for phosphorus and mercury levels in wastewater. The money comes from the state's bond proceeds fund and is allocated through a grant to the city of Eveleth via the Public Facilities Authority. The legislation takes effect the day after it is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $2,000,000 in bonds to fund infrastructure improvements for the city of Tamarack. The funds will be used to design, build, and upgrade aging wastewater treatment and collection systems, as well as to reconstruct streets. The money will be distributed through a grant to the city via the Public Facilities Authority. The legislation becomes effective immediately upon final passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school resource officers (SROs) who volunteer their services without pay to reduce their Minnesota state income tax. It creates a tax subtraction equal to the number of volunteer hours multiplied by the hourly wage a paid SRO would earn, based on IRS-reported rates. To claim this, volunteers must provide documentation from their school confirming hours worked and the applicable wage rate. The policy directly affects unpaid SRO volunteers and the schools that verify their service. It takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily exempts St. Louis County from a state requirement that property plats include a tax certification from a county official. Under current law, plats must show that current year's taxes are paid and no delinquent taxes are owed, but this bill would remove that requirement for St. Louis County. The exemption applies to all plats in the county and would remain in effect until October 1, 2026. This change affects county officials who process plats and property owners submitting plats in St. Louis County.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates iron ore as the official state mineral of Minnesota. It requires the Office of the Secretary of State to preserve a photograph and a typical specimen of iron ore for public display. The legislation applies to state government records and adds this designation to the Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new unemployment benefits program for iron ore mining workers in Minnesota who lose their jobs between January 15, 2026, and March 15, 2026, due to layoffs. It also extends these benefits to employees of explosive manufacturing companies that supply iron ore mining firms if those mining companies experience significant layoffs. To qualify, workers must have worked for an iron ore mining employer that laid off at least half its workforce during the specified period, have already used up their regular unemployment benefits, and meet standard eligibility requirements. The program provides the same weekly benefit amount as regular unemployment insurance for up to 26 weeks, with special rules for workers who qualify for new benefit accounts during the payment period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency to create and maintain a website where the public can track the status of environmental permit applications. The tracker will display specific details such as facility names, permit types, and dates when each step of the review process is completed. This change directly affects applicants and members of the public who currently have difficulty monitoring the progress of their permit requests. The agency must establish this system immediately after the bill becomes law and continue to improve it over time.