Sen. Jen McEwen

Maddy summarySF 485 establishes a statewide moratorium on new billboards in Minnesota, prohibiting state agencies and local governments from issuing permits for any new signage after the law takes effect. Existing billboards are declared "nonconforming uses," meaning they can remain but cannot be replaced or expanded under standard zoning rules. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to prevent municipalities from using "amortization" (gradual phase-outs) to eliminate existing billboards, while preserving the moratorium. This directly affects billboard owners, local permitting authorities, and communities concerned with roadside aesthetics and tourism.

Maddy summarySF 1598 repeals a Minnesota statute (471.9998) that currently prohibits local governments from banning paper, plastic, or reusable bags provided by merchants. If enacted, this bill would allow cities and counties to implement their own bag bans, directly affecting local governments and businesses that provide bags to customers. The key mechanism is removing the state-level prohibition, enabling municipalities to regulate bag use without state interference. This change would apply to all localities within Minnesota, shifting authority from the state to local jurisdictions. The bill does not create new bag rules but removes a barrier to local action.

Maddy summarySF 817 modifies Minnesota's transportation laws to clarify what qualifies as "highway purposes" and adjust project review processes. It expands eligible uses of highway funds to include multimodal infrastructure like transit and active transportation within highway rights-of-way, and requires new community input through local advisory committees for major highway projects. The bill also explicitly prohibits using highway funds for items like electric vehicle charging infrastructure, tourism kiosks, or event sponsorships. These changes primarily affect the Minnesota Department of Transportation and local communities involved in highway planning, ensuring project funding aligns with updated transportation priorities.

Maddy summarySF 3134 redirects $15 million in transportation tax revenue to fund the design and construction of suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The bill modifies how funds from Minnesota's regional transportation sales tax (under Statutes 297A.9915 and 473.4465) are allocated, directing the Metropolitan Council to provide this specific grant to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The project must include consultation with suicide prevention organizations and individuals affected by suicide at the bridge. This is a targeted funding change for a specific infrastructure safety project, not a broader policy shift.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota hospitals to maintain registered nurse staffing levels that meet nationally recognized, evidence-based standards. It mandates hospitals to create and publicly share staffing plans specifying patient-to-nurse ratios for each unit, with flexibility to adjust for patient safety needs. The bill also prohibits hospitals from retaliating against nurses who raise staffing concerns and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance. These requirements apply to all licensed hospitals in Minnesota and aim to ensure adequate staffing for patient safety.

Maddy summarySF 3101 modifies Minnesota's reintegration driver's license program. It extends the license's validity from 15 to 24 months (Section 1) and creates a clear path to a regular license after holding the reintegration license for one full year (Section 2). To qualify, individuals must not have canceled or expired their reintegration license beyond 90 days, meet standard application requirements, and pay applicable fees. The bill also requires the state to forgive outstanding reinstatement fees and surcharges when issuing a regular license under these conditions. This directly affects Minnesotans with suspended licenses who are working to regain full driving privileges.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds to create two key resources: a state-wide water availability atlas showing current water resources using existing data, and a methodology to help determine suitable locations for large water users (like businesses or industries). It directs the commissioner of natural resources to develop these tools by working with the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office. The atlas and methodology must be submitted to relevant legislative committees and made available to state agencies, local governments, and economic development authorities by January 15, 2028. The appropriation is a one-time funding measure for this specific development effort.

Maddy summarySF 2360 requires partnership businesses in Minnesota to annually report on worker misclassification (where employees are incorrectly classified as independent contractors) starting March 1, 2026. The reports must include estimates of affected workers, financial costs to those workers, impacts on fair competition, and industry-specific misclassification rates. The bill also appropriates general fund money for fiscal years 2026-2027 to fund analysis by state agencies (Labor, Revenue, Employment & Economic Development, Commerce, and the Attorney General) on how misclassification affects programs like unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and tax collections. This data will help guide enforcement priorities and assess fiscal impacts without changing existing labor laws.

Maddy summarySF 3209 requires Minnesota public utilities to include specific details about virtual power plant (VPP) programs in their resource plans and file a formal VPP tariff and program with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by 2026. The bill mandates that utilities estimate how VPPs would reduce peak electricity demand (both winter and summer) and the associated costs. VPPs aggregate customer-owned devices like solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicles, and smart thermostats to manage grid demand during high-use periods. The program must achieve goals including lowering ratepayer bills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, avoiding new infrastructure, and decreasing reliance on fossil-fuel peaker plants. This directly affects all Minnesota electric utilities required to submit resource plans under state energy law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SF 3153) is a symbolic gesture by the Minnesota Legislature to formally reaffirm its 1933 ratification of the Child Labor Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or entities, as it is a procedural resolution memorializing Minnesota's historical position. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to federal officials and Minnesota's congressional delegation, referencing the amendment's purpose to authorize federal regulation of child labor under age 18. It acknowledges Minnesota's past ratification but notes no state has ratified the amendment since 1937.