Sen. Jordan Rasmusson

Maddy summarySF 3106 extends the deadline for using $250,000 allocated to Otter Tail County for an engagement services pilot program. The bill amends existing law to change the expiration date from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2028, for this specific appropriation. It does not change the program's design, funding amount, or eligibility. The extension applies only to the Otter Tail County pilot grant under the engagement services pilot program. This is a procedural adjustment to the timeline for using existing funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $13.7 million from state bonds to fund the Redpath impoundment flood hazard mitigation project, directly benefiting the Bois de Sioux Watershed District. It authorizes the sale of state bonds up to $13.7 million to cover the state's share of costs for flood prevention infrastructure. The funds will be used for publicly owned capital improvements to prevent flood damage, with levees required to meet a standard of three feet above the 100-year flood elevation. The commissioner of natural resources will prioritize projects based on need and may reallocate unspent funds to other high-priority flood mitigation efforts.

Maddy summarySF 2753 would allow Minnesota state universities to offer cybersecurity as an applied doctoral degree. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add "cybersecurity" to the list of fields (currently including education, business, and nursing) where such degrees can be authorized. This change directly affects state universities seeking to establish new doctoral programs in cybersecurity, providing them with statutory permission to do so. The bill makes a specific policy adjustment to degree authorization rules without altering funding or other program requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million from state bond proceeds to fund Minnesota town roads and bridges, directly affecting local town governments that maintain these infrastructure assets. It allocates $25 million specifically for town roads and $10 million for town bridges, to be distributed by the state transportation commissioner per existing law. The funding will be provided through the sale of up to $35 million in state bonds, following established bonding procedures under Minnesota statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state agencies to spend at least 50% of their advertising budget on local news organizations starting July 1, 2025. It defines "local news organizations" as Minnesota-based media (print, digital, or broadcast) with local journalists, offices, and content focused on Minnesota communities. Agencies must report annually on their advertising spending, including the percentage spent through local news organizations and local newspapers, excluding ads targeting out-of-state residents. The law applies to most state departments but excludes Minnesota State Colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) rules to clarify who must join retirement plans. It requires that the $425 monthly salary threshold for mandatory coverage be set in advance, affects public employees earning above that amount (including elected officials who must now formally elect coverage), and adds a 60-day deadline for filing membership forms. It also clarifies how disability benefits apply to correctional workers in local government retirement plans. These changes apply to all covered public employees and officials starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 2628 modifies how counties pay for care at specific facilities, primarily affecting Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center and community behavioral health hospitals. It temporarily exempts counties from paying for certain care costs (100% responsibility) during patient transfers to other state facilities or programs between July 2023-March 2025 and April-June 2025. The bill also requires a public dashboard tracking waitlist metrics for behavioral health services, including average wait times and admission data. These changes apply to patients committed under mental health laws who are awaiting transfer, with county payment obligations resuming after the specified expiration dates.

Maddy summarySF 2908 requires parole officers and probation agents to prohibit certain sex offenders (those convicted of offenses against minors under 18 under specific Minnesota statutes) from using social media platforms that allow minors to be members or interact with others. It also mandates that these offenders share all their social media account details, including usernames and passwords, with their supervising agent. The commissioner must annually publish a list of qualifying social media platforms on a public website for enforcement. This law directly affects individuals on parole or probation for qualifying sex offenses against minors, focusing on restricting their access to platforms where minors are active users. The bill defines "social media platform" to exclude email, search engines, and business communication tools.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to remove keys, key chains, and key rings from the list of consumer products prohibited from containing lead or cadmium. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these key accessories, exempting them from existing lead and cadmium restrictions that apply to other items like jewelry, toys, and children's products. The change modifies the definition of "covered product" in Minnesota Statutes section 325E.3892, specifically deleting the reference to keys and key rings from the regulated list. This is a technical adjustment to the statute, not a new restriction or policy change for other products.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to expand the criminal offense of damaging or stealing telecommunications equipment to explicitly include broadband and cable services. It adds "broadband services, cable services, radio transmitters and receivers, satellite equipment, microwave equipment, and other transporting media including wire, cable, fiber, poles, and conduit" to the list of protected infrastructure under Minnesota Statutes §609.593. The law now covers equipment used for transmitting or transporting these services, such as routers, fiber lines, and poles. This change directly affects anyone who intentionally damages or removes such infrastructure without authorization. The policy update ensures existing penalties for damaging telecom equipment apply to modern broadband and cable systems.