Asm. Karl Brabenec

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the maximum amount of money justice courts can handle in small claims cases from $3,000 to $5,000, excluding interest and costs. It also updates the fees required to file these claims, increasing the cost for smaller claims from $10 to $15 and for larger claims from $15 to $20. The changes apply to individuals and businesses filing suits in justice courts for monetary recovery or property disputes within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new felony crimes for actions that endanger firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers during building fires or evacuations. It specifically targets individuals who alter or partition buildings without permits in ways that block escape routes, resulting in injury or death to these service members. The offense is charged as a class E felony if it causes injury, and as a more serious class D felony if it causes death or if the person has a prior conviction for the same crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school districts and boards of cooperative educational services to create special reserve funds specifically for paying other post-employment benefits, such as healthcare, that employees are entitled to after leaving their jobs. The legislation defines these benefits and permits these entities to fund the reserves through budget appropriations, taxes, or transfers from existing funds, provided a public hearing is held before moving money. It also requires strict financial reporting and prohibits governing board members from using the funds for any purpose other than covering these specific post-employment obligations. Additionally, the bill repeals two existing legal sections and amends education law provisions regarding how costs are allocated to certain school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies to forward sex offender change-of-address notifications to the Division of Criminal Justice Services within five business days. It applies to any sex offender who updates their address or other status information, such as employment or school enrollment, with a local police department. The law mandates that the agency provide a copy of the submission to the offender while keeping a copy for its own records. Additionally, the bill maintains a ten-dollar fee for each registration update, though the fee is not required for the state to accept the information.

Requires minors under 18 years to attend school on a full-time basis, unless such minor is seventeen or older and enrolled in a vocational or occupational education program, with the consent of the school district and the person in parental relation with the minor; requires such minor must enroll in GED course until age of 19 years, if the person leaves school.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires cities, counties, towns, and villages with annual budgets over ten million dollars to submit a multi-year financial plan to the state comptroller. These plans must be filed by the municipality's chief financial officer within 120 days after the budget is adopted and must cover the current budget plus the next two fiscal years. The documents need to include detailed projections for employment, spending, debt service, and revenue sources, along with strategies for maintaining long-term fiscal stability. While the bill was enacted, a recent action indicates that the clause adding the enacting clause was struck, potentially affecting its immediate implementation.

Directs the commissioner of education and commissioner of labor to study the appropriateness of county placement in the regional cost index used for the school aid formula.

Authorizes municipalities in the county of Rockland to add unpaid housing code violation penalties, costs and fines to such municipalities' annual tax levy in accordance with applicable law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments in Minnesota to offer a full exemption from real property taxes to combat veterans who are 100% permanently disabled due to their military service. It also extends this benefit to the unmarried surviving spouses of these veterans. Under the new rules, local authorities can choose to grant this 100% tax break regardless of any existing maximum exemption limits set by local laws. The exemption would apply to property assessments prepared on or after January 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for employers leaving the state workers' compensation insurance fund by requiring them to provide a 30-day written notice before their insurance contract is cancelled. Under the new provisions, the fund must file a notice of cancellation at least ten days prior to the effective date, and the contract remains active until ten days after that filing occurs. Additionally, any new insurance policy an employer secures with a private company cannot take effect until the cancellation of their state fund contract is officially finalized. The legislation also allows for an immediate cancellation date if an employer provides proof that their new insurance coverage is already in place.