Sen. Jen McEwen

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million from state bonds to fund a new wastewater filtration system at the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District's treatment facility in Duluth. The funds will directly support the district's infrastructure upgrade to improve wastewater treatment for Duluth residents and the surrounding area. The state will issue up to $20 million in bonds to cover this cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The project focuses on concrete infrastructure improvements at a specific facility, with no additional program changes or broad policy impacts.

Maddy summarySF 733 requires pipeline owners in Minnesota to remove abandoned pipelines and related infrastructure from landowners' property after ceasing operations. Pipeline owners must provide landowners 60 days' notice before stopping operations and remove all abandoned equipment within 90 days of landowner requests, which must include specific written removal demands. Landowners can choose to have pipelines left in place by submitting a notarized request, but pipeline owners remain responsible for land restoration, including topsoil replacement, erosion control, establishing vegetation, and managing invasive species for five years. This bill directly affects pipeline companies and landowners whose property contains abandoned pipelines.

Maddy summarySF 1040 allocates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. This funding enables the commission to carry out its existing duties under Minnesota Statutes section 85.536, which relates to regional park and trail planning. The bill directly affects the commission and its ability to manage regional park and trail projects across Greater Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 1543 appropriates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to fund the Minnesota Virtual Academy's career pathways program in partnership with Operating Engineers Local 49, specifically for Independent School District No. 294 in Houston. The program provides up to five semesters of courses leading to eligibility for the Operating Engineers Local 49 apprenticeship program, with additional academic and counseling support from participating school districts. The bill requires targeted outreach to students of color, Indigenous students, low-income students, and other underserved groups throughout Minnesota. It mandates annual reports detailing program participation, spending, demographics, and recommendations for statewide program improvement, with funds available until June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 1039 appropriates $25.8 million for 2026 and $26.9 million for 2027 from the parks and trails fund to the commissioner of natural resources for state parks, recreation areas, and trails. It also allocates $12.9 million for 2026 and $13.46 million for 2027 for regional park and trail grants outside the metro area, requiring projects to meet regional significance criteria and align with the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks Commission's strategic plan. Additionally, $652,000 for 2026 and $679,000 for 2027 funds coordination between agencies, web improvements, and the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee. The bill extends project funding deadlines for specific trails like the Cannon Valley Trail and Spirit Mountain Recreation Area through June 2027. This bill directs existing fund resources to park maintenance, land acquisition, regional projects, and administrative coordination without creating new policy.

Maddy summarySF 608 prohibits municipalities from allowing new enterprise data centers (facilities over 800,000 sq ft for digital data storage/processing) in most zoning districts. It allows such data centers only as a conditional use within designated "industrial districts" where manufacturing facilities are permitted. This bill affects local governments in Minnesota, requiring them to adjust zoning rules by June 20, 2025, for new data center construction. The law directly impacts developers seeking to build large-scale data centers outside industrial zones. It does not apply to existing data centers or smaller facilities meeting the size threshold.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows reimbursement for PFAS contamination cleanup costs at emergency response training centers that stopped using PFAS-containing firefighting foam by January 1, 2015. It amends Minnesota's remediation fund statute to cover investigation, remediation, and related expenses incurred after January 1, 2023, for centers meeting these criteria. The bill appropriates $1 million from the environmental fund for grants to state colleges or universities eligible for this reimbursement, with priority given to institutions already enrolled in the state's remediation program. It directly affects public emergency response training facilities that used legacy firefighting foam before 2015.

Maddy summarySF 1247 modifies pesticide regulations to protect wild rice waters in Minnesota. It requires a "wild rice risk justification" before certain pesticide permits are issued, prohibits watercraft operations threatening uncultivated wild rice beds, and mandates maintaining official maps of wild rice waters. The bill also amends statutes to direct the Department of Natural Resources to develop a pesticide management plan specifically addressing wild rice waters, coordinate with Minnesota Tribal governments, and deposit penalty funds into a pesticide regulatory account. This directly affects pesticide users (farmers, applicators), state agencies, and Tribal governments, with the goal of preventing pesticide contamination in wild rice habitats.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support mental health initiatives in Minnesota's construction industry. The funds will be used by the commissioner of labor and industry for outreach, education, stigma reduction resources, worksite strategies, and grants to industry groups focused on preventing suicide and improving mental health. It directly affects construction workers in Minnesota by providing targeted support through these programs. The appropriations are one-time and must be spent by June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 1742 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the Center of American Indian and Minority Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth. The funds are designated for the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to operate this specific center. This bill directly affects the center's budget and operations by providing dedicated state funding for its programs. It is a straightforward funding measure with no substantive policy changes beyond the allocated appropriations.