Sen. Jordan Rasmusson

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the legislative body's disapproval of Department of Human Services employees who allegedly concealed fraud during an audit. The document formally condemns these actions as a breach of public trust and urges the department's leadership to investigate the conduct and impose disciplinary measures. Unlike laws that create new rules, this measure serves only as a symbolic statement of the Senate's stance on the issue. It does not establish new penalties or change existing statutes but highlights concerns regarding the integrity of state social service programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Read Act to strengthen reading interventions for students not meeting grade-level literacy by the end of third grade. It requires school districts to create personalized learning plans with parents for these students, including evidence-based instruction and progress monitoring, while prohibiting grade retention solely due to literacy delays. Starting in 2025-2026, districts must use only evidence-based literacy interventions, and by 2026-2027, unlicensed staff providing Tier 2 reading help must work under licensed teachers trained in evidence-based methods. The bill directly affects K-3 students in Minnesota public schools who are struggling with reading, along with their schools and educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for criminal vehicular homicide in Minnesota, raising the maximum prison sentence from 25 to 30 years and the fine from $20,000 to $30,000 for repeat offenders convicted within 10 years of a prior driving offense. It requires all driver education programs to include instruction on these penalties and allocates $100,000 for public awareness campaigns about DUI dangers and related penalties. The changes apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2026. The bill directly affects drivers convicted of causing death through reckless or impaired driving, particularly those with prior violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.27 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2.05 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Commissioner of Public Safety. The funds will be used to purchase weather radar data to fill critical gaps in Minnesota's low-level weather observations - five gaps in the first year and eight in subsequent years. This data will directly support public safety planning, preparation, and response across the state, while also being shared with the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, and Pollution Control. The appropriation is designed to enhance weather forecasting capabilities for state agencies and emergency management.

Maddy summarySF 958 amends Minnesota's definition of "all-terrain vehicle" (ATV) by increasing the maximum allowable dry weight from 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. This change directly affects ATV manufacturers, owners, and enforcement agencies by expanding the scope of vehicles classified as ATVs under state law. The bill also clarifies that ATVs exclude electric-assisted bicycles, golf carts, mini-trucks, dune buggies, go-carts, and vehicles designed for specific purposes like lawn care or mining. The amendment modifies Minnesota Statutes section 84.92, subdivision 8, to reflect this updated definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows surviving spouses in Minnesota to use their deceased spouse's unused federal estate tax exclusion amount when calculating Minnesota estate taxes. It requires personal representatives to elect this portability on the estate tax return (or file a return if not otherwise required), making the election irrevocable. The provision applies to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2024, and directly affects surviving spouses who may reduce their estate tax liability by claiming this unused exclusion. The law amends Minnesota's estate tax statutes to align with federal portability rules.

Maddy summaryHF 1 would repeal the provision allowing undocumented adults to enroll in MinnesotaCare, ending their current eligibility for this state health coverage program. The bill directly affects undocumented adults in Minnesota who currently receive health coverage through MinnesotaCare. Its key mechanism is removing the specific language that permits this coverage, effectively ending their access to the program. This is a repeal of an existing policy, not a new benefit.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural bill authorizing the issuance of capital investment bonds for state projects. It does not specify particular projects or funding amounts, only establishing the framework for future bond sales. The bill directly affects state budgeting processes and future capital projects funded through bond proceeds. As introduced, it lacks concrete policy details beyond enabling bond issuance, with no specific affected groups or mechanisms described in the provided context. The bill is currently in committee referral.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 10 ("Preserving Girls' Sports Act"), requires Minnesota public schools to designate athletic teams as "male," "female," or "coed" based solely on biological sex at birth. It specifically mandates that teams designated for females must only include students who were biologically female at birth, amending existing education statutes to enforce this restriction. The law directly affects public school athletic programs, student athletes participating in girls' sports, and school administrators responsible for team eligibility. Key provisions include new team designation requirements and a rule that schools must follow these biological sex standards for female-designated teams. The bill takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SF 8, aims to modify eligibility requirements for MinnesotaCare, the state's public health insurance program for low-income residents. It proposes changes to who qualifies for coverage under MinnesotaCare, though the specific eligibility criteria (e.g., income thresholds, residency rules) are not detailed in the provided context. The bill is currently in committee referral stage, having been referred to the Health and Human Services committee in January 2025 and with multiple authors added since then. No concrete policy provisions or affected populations are specified in the available information.