Sen. Jordan Rasmusson

Maddy summarySF 1585 requires Minnesota's Attorney General to submit an annual report by July 15 each year to specific legislative committees. The report must detail all legal cases challenging the constitutionality of state statutes, including the statute challenged, the Attorney General's defense efforts, case status, staff time spent, and associated costs for the prior fiscal year. This bill directly affects the Attorney General's office by mandating transparency about legal challenges to state laws. It does not change laws or impact citizens directly but adds a reporting requirement for the Attorney General's office. The bill is procedural, focusing on documenting existing legal work rather than creating new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $350,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the Red River mediation agreement. It provides grants covering up to 50% of implementation costs for entities working under the agreement. The funding directly affects organizations or stakeholders involved in implementing the Red River mediation agreement, which addresses water management or environmental issues in the Red River basin. The bill creates no new policy but allocates specific state funds to advance an existing mediation process.

Maddy summarySF 91 makes a temporary rule about child care center staffing permanent. It requires Minnesota's commissioner of children, youth, and families to permanently amend licensing rules allowing child care centers to use teacher's aides under specific conditions. This change directly affects licensed child care centers statewide by modifying their staffing requirements for teacher's aides. The rule change takes effect immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySF 1429 exempts electricity generated outside Minnesota from the state's requirement that utilities provide a certain percentage of carbon-free retail electricity by specific dates. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 216B.1691, subdivision 2g, by adding a provision stating the carbon-free standard (80% by 2030 for public utilities, 90% by 2035, 100% by 2040) does not apply to electricity generated outside the state. This directly affects Minnesota electric utilities that purchase power from out-of-state sources, as such electricity no longer counts toward their compliance with the carbon-free requirements. The policy change clarifies that only electricity generated within Minnesota must meet the state's carbon-free procurement targets.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $48.586 million from state bond proceeds to fund flood mitigation projects in Minnesota's Red River Basin. It directly affects local watershed districts (including Middle-Snake-Tamarac, Bois de Sioux, Roseau River, and Two Rivers) and communities like Newfolden, which will be removed from floodplains through specific projects. Key provisions include authorizing bonds for this funding, allocating specific sums for six projects (e.g., $13.7M for the Mustinka River Rehabilitation, $9M for Roseau Lake), and allowing up to 75% grant coverage for qualifying flood prevention measures. The funds cover construction, engineering, land acquisition, and design for infrastructure aimed at reducing flood damage.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $170,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $170,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the clean water fund to the Red River Watershed Management Board. The funds will support expanding school-based water quality and watershed monitoring activities within the Red River of the North watershed. The Board must submit a report to the commissioner and relevant legislative committees by February 15, 2028, detailing how the funds were used. (Procedural bill; summary focuses solely on the funding allocation and reporting requirement.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1136) requires long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities in Minnesota to allow residents to have one designated support person physically present with them while at the facility. The designated support person must be chosen by the resident and can include family members, partners, or others related by affinity, but not certified doulas or midwives. Facilities may restrict this right only for medical procedures (like surgery) or if the support person acts violently - restrictions must follow the facility’s grievance process. It directly affects residents of these facilities by expanding their right to choose personal support during care.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 779 appropriates $25 million in state bonds to fund Phase One improvements for the Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District's (ALASD) regional water reclamation facility. The funds will cover design, engineering, construction, and equipment for upgrades to ALASD's water treatment infrastructure. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds under Minnesota law to provide this funding, which directly affects ALASD's operations and service area. This is a concrete funding mechanism for infrastructure, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $12 million in state bonds for capital improvements to public water access points and boating facilities on Minnesota's public waters, managed by the Department of Natural Resources. It also allocates $17.8 million in bonds for capital upgrades to state fish hatcheries, including up to $3 million specifically for planning and designing a new St. Paul hatchery facility in the metro area with research and education capabilities. The funds will be drawn from a bond proceeds fund, with bond sales governed by Minnesota's bond laws. The bill directly affects state natural resources management and public users of water access sites and hatchery facilities.

Maddy summarySF 482 extends Minnesota's short-call substitute teacher pilot program until June 30, 2027 (from its original 2025 expiration). The program allows school districts to grant temporary substitute teaching licenses to eligible staff, including those with an associate's degree and district training or a high school diploma with one year as a paraprofessional. Under this program, schools must provide substitute training, cannot retaliate against staff who decline to apply for the license, and must pay eligible substitutes at least $200 per day or their regular rate. This extension preserves the existing framework for recruiting and compensating substitute teachers while maintaining program requirements.