Sen. Jen McEwen

Maddy summarySF 3931 prohibits Minnesota state agencies from withholding federal income tax from state employees' paychecks. The bill requires that when processing state employee pay, the commissioner of management and budget or agency heads must not withhold or remit federal income tax, replacing the previous requirement under Minnesota Statutes 16A.13. This repeal of the existing law (16A.13) shifts the responsibility for federal tax collection from the state to employees themselves. As a result, state employees would receive their full pay without federal income tax deductions, and they would be responsible for filing and paying their own federal income tax.

Maddy summarySF 3823 requires all local elected or appointed officials in Minnesota political subdivisions and metropolitan governmental units to file annual financial disclosure statements detailing potential conflicts of interest. The bill mandates filing within 60 days of taking office (or 14 days after election) and requires officials to disclose financial interests that could affect their duties, including preparing written statements for conflicts and abstaining from related decisions. It modifies existing filing timelines, specifies required disclosure content (like client names and hearing details), and establishes penalties for late filings, including $25 daily fees up to $1,000. This applies to local officials such as city council members, county commissioners, and similar roles, not state-level legislators.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's tax code to allow taxpayers to subtract certain damage awards from their individual income tax. It specifically creates a state tax subtraction for damages received in sexual harassment or abuse claims (where federal tax exclusion doesn't apply), or for injuries caused by federal immigration enforcement activities. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and defines "qualifying claim" to cover these two specific scenarios. It directly affects Minnesota residents who receive such damages and file state income tax returns.

Maddy summarySF 3766 authorizes the state to issue up to $6 million in bonds to fund capital improvements at Duluth's Lake Superior Zoo. The bill appropriates these bond proceeds to the city of Duluth for projects including major repairs to mechanical/electrical systems, utility infrastructure, and exhibit renovations. The funding directly supports the zoo's operations and long-term maintenance needs. The state will sell bonds under Minnesota's bond issuance laws, and the appropriation is exempt from standard state spending rules. This is a funding bill focused on physical infrastructure, not policy changes.

Maddy summarySF 3798 clarifies which children's museums can receive competitive grants from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund. It requires that only museums meeting the IRS's A52 classification (or its successor) for tax-exempt organizations can apply. This bill directly affects children's museums seeking these specific state grants by setting a new eligibility standard. The key provision amends state law to mandate this IRS classification requirement for grant recipients. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process.

Maddy summarySF 3719 eliminates the "Class A installer" license category from Minnesota's electrical code. The bill amends statutes to remove all references to this license type and repeals two definitions that previously described it. This directly affects electrical workers who held this license (though no new licenses have been issued since 2007) by formally removing the classification from state law. The change streamlines licensing requirements by removing an outdated category from the electrical code.

Maddy summaryHF 1143 modifies the expiration dates for certain state aid accounts and adjusts related appropriations. It adjusts how funds are handled for specific aid programs by changing when account balances expire and modifying budget allocations. The bill directly affects state agencies managing these aid programs and their funding streams. It passed unanimously and took effect on July 1, 2025, but the context provided does not specify which exact aid programs or appropriation details were modified.

Maddy summarySF 17 is a biennial budget bill that appropriates $200.4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $156.2 million for 2027 to Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development. It funds specific programs including $50.7 million for business and community development, $350,000 for the Energy Transition Office, and $500,000 for small business development centers. The bill also modifies existing funding for workforce programs, remediation, and grants to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. This legislation directly affects state agencies and local economic development initiatives by providing dedicated funding for their operations and services.

Maddy summaryHF 3228 adopts recommendations proposed by the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council. This bill directly affects workers who may receive compensation and employers who contribute to the workers' compensation system. While the specific details of the recommendations are not provided in this context, its passage means these advised changes will be incorporated into the state's workers' compensation framework.

Maddy summarySF 3541 would reinstate a citizen membership board for Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which was eliminated in 2015. The bill requires the governor to appoint eight citizen members who must represent diverse backgrounds, including at least one tribal member, three from environmental justice communities, one small-scale farmer, and one labor union member. It mandates that the agency - not just the commissioner - must make final decisions on specific matters like permits, environmental impact statements, rule changes, and permit variances when requested by agency members or citizens. This change directly affects how the MPCA makes decisions, adding public representation to its governance structure. The bill aims to restore a public check on agency actions by incorporating community perspectives into environmental decision-making.