Sen. Jen McEwen

Maddy summarySF 271 modifies licensing requirements for substance abuse counselors in Minnesota and strengthens protections for individuals objecting to religious elements in treatment. It requires counselors to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, including specific training on diversity, ethics, and secular treatment approaches for clients with religious objections. The bill prohibits courts or treatment programs from forcing individuals to participate in religious components of care, mandates documentation of religious objections, and requires offering equivalent non-religious alternatives. This directly affects licensed counselors (through updated education rules) and people in substance use disorder treatment programs (particularly those with religious objections to treatment). The bill amends multiple statutes including 241.415 (release plans for offenders) and 244.0513 (treatment program requirements).

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7 million in state bond funds for capital improvements at Minnesota's Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC). The funding will directly support specific upgrades including elevator/escalator repairs, energy efficiency projects, ADA compliance work (like seat replacements and flooring in Symphony Hall), fire door replacements, sound wall updates, and parking lot repairs. The money comes from state bonds authorized under Minnesota law and is exempt from standard appropriation requirements. The DECC Authority will receive the grant to execute these physical facility improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee equal rights and prohibit discrimination for all people. It specifically protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex, with the definition of sex explicitly including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If voters approve the amendment at the 2026 general election, the change will become effective on January 1, 2027. The text also establishes that any state action denying these rights must be the least restrictive way to achieve a very important government goal.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program requiring certain large buildings in Minnesota to meet specific energy performance standards aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It directly affects public buildings owned by cities, counties, and schools with over 50,000 square feet, as well as private buildings of 100,000 or more square feet and 50,000 or more square feet. The legislation mandates that the state commissioner set final energy and emissions targets for these properties by 2026, with interim goals to be reviewed every five years until 2045. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to exempt buildings experiencing financial distress from these requirements and allocates funding to support the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes broad technical updates to Minnesota's labor and industry laws, affecting workers, employers, and professional licensing boards. It modifies construction codes to clarify when professional engineering rules apply to private projects and updates continuing education requirements for licensed professionals to ensure courses are relevant and properly documented. The legislation also adjusts regulations for apprenticeships, occupational safety, and minimum wage rates while streamlining administrative procedures for various labor-related agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides supplemental funding for Minnesota's environment and natural resources agencies for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. It allocates money from the general and environmental funds to support specific programs, including air regulatory work in environmental justice areas and various state park and forestry initiatives. The legislation also modifies existing laws related to environmental reviews, permits, recreation vehicles, and water management while establishing new grant programs and fee structures. Additionally, the bill authorizes the sale or lease of certain state lands and requires agencies to submit reports on their activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for issuing permits related to groundwater thermal exchange devices in Minnesota, which are systems that use underground water to heat or cool buildings. It requires property owners to apply for a permit and pay a fee before reinjecting water into the same aquifer from which it was drawn. The legislation sets limits on the number of permits allowed for small and large systems based on their water capacity and mandates regular inspections to ensure safety. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these devices must also comply with existing water-use permit requirements enforced by the commissioner of natural resources.