Sen. Jen McEwen

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to stabilize the shoreline near Scandia Cemetery in St. Louis County. The funds will be used to construct a retaining wall and a related access road to prevent erosion threatening the cemetery. The grant is specifically authorized for St. Louis County to address this localized shoreline issue. The bill directly affects the cemetery's preservation and the county's infrastructure project. No broader policy changes or additional affected parties are specified.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $375,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $375,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund. The funds are allocated to the Lake Superior Zoological Society to develop educational exhibits and programs. These programs will focus specifically on Minnesota's history and cultural heritage, directly supporting the society's educational mission. The bill provides concrete funding for these activities without altering existing laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySF 1059 establishes Minnesota's Patient-Centered Care program to directly pay healthcare providers for services to medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, replacing current managed care contracts. The bill requires the state commissioner to pay providers directly (not through managed care organizations) for all services, including separate payments for drugs and vaccines, and adds monthly care coordination fees for primary care providers. It also funds community health workers to conduct outreach for vulnerable populations (like those experiencing homelessness or mental illness) and reduce hospital readmissions through discharge planning. This affects approximately 600,000 Minnesotans enrolled in medical assistance or MinnesotaCare programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts Minnesota's individual income tax brackets by increasing the income thresholds for each tax rate while keeping the rates unchanged. For example, the first tax rate of 5.35% now applies to married couples filing jointly earning up to $47,620 (up from $38,770), and single filers up to $32,570 (up from $26,520). It affects all Minnesota individual taxpayers who file income tax returns, including married couples, single filers, and heads of household. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill modifies specific sections of Minnesota Statutes related to tax rate schedules without altering the tax rates themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. The funds support Minnesota's "Lawns to Legumes" program, which helps landowners replace turf grass with pollinator-friendly plants like legumes. The program directly affects homeowners, farmers, and land managers seeking to create habitat for bees and other pollinators. The funding enables technical assistance, cost-share incentives, and educational resources to expand the initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $240 million from the general fund for one-time grants to replace lead service lines connecting water mains to homes. The funds, available until June 30, 2033, will be administered by the Public Facilities Authority under state law. It directly affects communities and homeowners with lead pipes, which pose health risks, by providing financial support for their replacement. The key mechanism is a state grant program targeting the physical infrastructure upgrade of aging water service lines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota employers to pay non-exempt employees 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for work performed on designated holidays. It directly affects hourly workers who work on holidays recognized under Minnesota law (as defined in section 645.44, subdivision 5). The key provision amends state labor law to mandate this premium pay rate for holiday work, rather than requiring overtime pay only for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. The change applies to all covered employees in Minnesota workplaces under the state's overtime rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Commerce to establish a low-cost motor vehicle insurance program (the "Minnesota Lifeline Insurance Program") for low-income residents who meet specific eligibility criteria. The program would be operated by a designated state facility, which must set rates covering claims, administrative costs, and investment income using actual program data or adjusted statewide insurance data. The facility must create a website for applications and online policy sales, with rates allowing up to six payment installments and regional adjustments (capped at 25% higher than other regions). The program mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing enrollment, marketing efforts, and expenditures.

Maddy summarySF 2557 increases funding for the school unemployment aid account, which provides financial support to hourly school staff who lose summer employment. The bill appropriates specific funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directly affecting school employees who work seasonal summer terms. This is a funding mechanism, not a new policy, and it aligns with existing provisions under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.995. The bill does not change eligibility or benefit amounts but ensures dedicated funding for this existing program.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 2332 authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DVS) to issue electronic driver's licenses that comply with national standards. It requires secure authentication for businesses or government entities (relying parties) accepting these licenses, prohibits tracking without consent, and mandates privacy protections for user data. Drivers must still carry a physical license while operating a vehicle but can present electronic versions without surrendering devices. Electronic credentials will incur an additional fee and expire according to existing license schedules. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with rulemaking starting immediately after enactment.