Sen. Jen McEwen

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $14 million in state bond funds to the Duluth Airport Authority for capital improvements at Duluth International Airport. It specifically authorizes the construction of a new air traffic control tower base building, including office spaces, support areas, equipment rooms, and site work like demolishing old structures and replacing fuel tanks. The funds will cover design, construction, and equipment, with part used to match federal funding. The project directly affects the Duluth International Airport and its operations, with the state issuing bonds to finance the construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale or transfer of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota, directly affecting owners and sellers of these firearms. It defines such weapons as specific models (like AR-15s, AK-47s, and Uzis) and firearms with features including folding stocks, detachable magazines, or pistol grips. The bill also authorizes a state-funded buyback program for these weapons and amends Minnesota law to implement the ban. The definition excludes weapons permanently made inoperable.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,100,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund the restoration and renovation of the historic Zeitgeist Arts building in downtown Duluth. The funds will be provided as a grant to Zeitgeist Arts, a nonprofit arts organization, to improve community access to arts programming. The primary mechanism is a direct financial allocation for physical building repairs, specifically targeting the organization's downtown Duluth facility. This funding directly supports Zeitgeist Arts' operations and its ability to serve Duluth residents through arts access. The bill does not establish new policy or affect broader legislative matters beyond this specific funding allocation.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1597 eliminates fees for certified birth certificates for newborns under one year old. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 144.226 to require that parents not be charged any fees for certified birth records when the child is less than a year old. This directly affects new parents who need official birth certificates for their infants. The key provision removes financial barriers to obtaining these essential documents during a child's first year of life.

Maddy summarySF 1595 prohibits the use of lead ammunition for hunting in Minnesota state parks, scientific natural areas, and peatlands starting immediately, and bans it statewide for all hunting after a future effective date. It also bans the sale, manufacture, and use of lead fishing tackle. The bill requires shooting ranges and school shooting sports programs to use only nontoxic ammunition, mandates educational components about lead's toxicity and alternatives, and establishes a voucher program to provide hunters with low-cost nontoxic ammunition. Violations carry civil penalties starting at $500 for the first offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases special education funding for Duluth's Independent School District No. 709. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the district will receive an annual $500,000 adjustment to its special education initial aid to correct a funding gap from the 2016 base calculation. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1 million in supplemental special education aid for the district for both 2026 and 2027. These changes directly affect Duluth's public schools serving students with special needs by providing additional state funding. The funding adjustments are mandated to be added to the district's regular special education aid calculations.

Maddy summarySF 1685 updates Minnesota's landlord-tenant laws to strengthen tenant protections. It requires landlords to provide written leases specifying the exact rental unit before signing, prohibits unilateral lease changes, and mandates 24/7 accessible contact information (name, address, phone, email) for landlords and property managers. The bill also bans listing minor children as tenants in leases or defendants in eviction cases (with exceptions only if the minor is the sole tenant) and grants prospective tenants the right to view rental units before signing. Violations will trigger penalties including treble damages or $500 (for lease issues) or $1,000 (for minor-related issues), plus attorney fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Duluth Public Schools. The funds support the Duluth Promise initiative, which provides career planning, pathway training, and wraparound services for students in Duluth and St. Louis County. Key provisions include creating early college credit opportunities, connecting students with employers in high-demand fields like healthcare and manufacturing, and covering program costs such as instructor salaries and supportive services. The initiative aims to reduce employment barriers and address local workforce shortages.

Maddy summarySF 1508 appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $400,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Building Strong Communities, Inc. The funds support a statewide apprenticeship readiness program targeting women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color individuals, and veterans to prepare them for careers in building and construction. The program is funded as a one-time appropriation, not a recurring annual allocation. This bill directly affects the specified demographic groups by providing resources to enter skilled trades through structured training.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund for the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board to provide grants to certified worker organizations. These grants will help worker organizations carry out their duties under Minnesota law (Section 181.214), which relates to nursing home workforce standards. The funding is a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2028. The bill directly affects certified worker organizations working in nursing homes by providing financial support for their activities.