Rep. Tom Sexton

Maddy summarySF 1714 requires Minnesota public contracting agencies to provide detailed, timely payment notifications to all contractors and subcontractors on public improvement projects. Agencies must send written notices within three business days of any payment (including progress, retainage, or final payments), including the payment amount, date, recipient details, scope of work, and reasons for any withholding. These notifications must be provided to every tier of contractors and subcontractors at no cost, ensuring transparency about how and when payments are made. The bill directly affects state/local government agencies managing public contracts and the contractors/subcontractors working on those projects. It aims to improve payment clarity without changing payment amounts or timelines.

Maddy summaryHF 3298 establishes a reimbursement program for owners of underground petroleum storage tank systems to replace outdated pressurized single-walled steel piping. This directly affects property owners and operators of gas stations or similar facilities with these specific piping systems. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add a new provision (115C.09, subdivision 3l) allowing reimbursement from the existing petroleum tank release cleanup fund for the cost of replacing this piping. The program covers eligible piping between storage tanks and dispensers, excluding the tanks themselves or other site improvements. This creates a concrete financial mechanism to address a known safety and environmental risk associated with this aging infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's excavation notice system to require utility operators to send electronic positive responses confirming the status of underground facility locates. It directly affects utility companies, excavators, and land surveyors by mandating digital notifications through the state notification center. The law requires operators to provide electronic confirmations for both excavation and boundary survey notices, update contact information quarterly, and maintain records of abandoned facilities. Key provisions also include updated marking requirements and a timeline for using geospatial technology to create as-built drawings of underground facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 1849 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota's governor and lieutenant governor to two terms each. If approved by voters in 2026, the amendment would change the state constitution to state that no person may be elected more than twice to either office. The amendment requires a statewide vote at the 2026 general election with a specific ballot question asking voters to approve term limits beginning in 2030. This change would affect all future governors and lieutenant governors, but would not apply to terms served before 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily suspends the state motor fuels tax in Minnesota for a specific period in 2026, directly affecting drivers, fuel retailers, and businesses that purchase gasoline and diesel. Under the legislation, the tax rate is set to zero cents per gallon or per thousand cubic feet for all fuel types during the designated timeframe, which begins shortly after the bill is enacted and ends in early September 2026. To offset the lost revenue from this suspension, the state will transfer money from its general fund to the Department of Transportation to cover the costs that would have been collected from fuel taxes. The bill also allocates a one-time appropriation to the Department of Revenue to cover the administrative expenses required to implement this temporary tax pause.

Maddy summaryHF 3727 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities by raising the market value exclusion amounts. Veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating now qualify for a $200,000 exclusion (up from $150,000), while those with a total and permanent 100% disability qualify for $400,000 (up from $300,000). The bill applies to veterans owning their primary residence ("homestead") in Minnesota, requiring certification of disability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and honorable military discharge. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also inherit this tax benefit under specific conditions. This change directly reduces taxable value for eligible veterans’ primary homes, lowering their property tax burden.

Maddy summaryHF 82 clarifies the scope of practice for licensed athletic trainers in Minnesota. The bill defines "athletic training" to include specific activities like injury prevention, emergency care, assessment, rehabilitation, and clinical decision-making within the trainer's expertise. It requires athletic trainers to work under a primary physician's direction, with documented protocols updated yearly, and limits initial treatment of undiagnosed injuries to 30 days (or less as specified by the physician). This directly affects athletic trainers, primary physicians, and healthcare facilities employing them, ensuring clear boundaries for their practice while preventing overlap with other licensed professions like physical therapy or medicine.

Maddy summaryHF 1234 requires Minnesota public contracting agencies to provide detailed payment notifications to contractors and subcontractors within three business days of making payments on public projects. The bill mandates that notifications include the payment amount, date, recipient name, scope of work covered, and reasons for any withheld retainage or payment. This directly affects contractors and subcontractors working on state-funded construction or public improvement projects. The law aims to increase transparency by ensuring all parties receive clear, timely information about payments and withholdings. It amends Minnesota Statutes sections 15.72 (subd. 4) and 337.10 to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's excavation notice system to require utility operators to send electronic confirmations when they respond to excavation or survey requests. The changes directly affect utility companies, excavation contractors, and land surveyors by standardizing how locate requests are processed and confirmed. Key provisions mandate that operators provide electronic positive responses through the notification center before excavation begins, update contact information quarterly, and use geospatial technology to create as-built drawings of underground facilities starting in 2026. The legislation also clarifies that operators must mark underground facilities with specific color-coded markers and provide information about abandoned or out-of-service facilities without cost to excavators.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota municipalities from charging fees for residential improvements needed to accommodate a veteran's disability. It directly affects veterans with recognized physical or mental impairments who are making home modifications to meet their disability needs. Under the new law, local governments cannot charge permit, inspection, or licensing fees for these specific improvements, and they cannot deny permits or inspections due to unpaid fees related to such work. Veterans must still submit standard applications and provide proof of their veteran status and disability connection to qualify for the fee waiver. The law takes effect immediately upon final enactment.