Sen. Mark Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Minnesota Department of Transportation to provide grants to local governments and airport authorities for building mobile radar systems. The funding is intended to help these entities acquire radar sensors, construct towers, and install communication networks to monitor low-altitude airspace and waterways. Supported projects will focus on detecting aircraft and drones, improving emergency response, and preventing collisions at public airports and on public waters. The appropriation comes from the state's general fund and is available for use until June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the lives and public service of seven deceased Minnesota Senators by formally recognizing their contributions to the state. The bill directly affects the families of these individuals, specifically Bruce D. Anderson, Don Samuelson, Kari Dziedzic, James Ulland, Alice M. Johnson, Bob Kierlin, and Ray Vandeveer, by directing the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to their relatives. It serves as a commemorative measure that acknowledges the dedication of these former officials and expresses gratitude for their work in government.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's legal definition of an all-terrain vehicle and adjusts the fee for nonresident trail passes. It raises the maximum weight limit for a vehicle to be classified as an all-terrain vehicle from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds while keeping other specifications like tire count and width the same. The legislation also increases the annual state trail pass fee for nonresidents from $30 to $50. Revenue collected from these passes must be used to fund grants for counties and municipalities to build and maintain all-terrain vehicle trails.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America on July 4, 2026. The bill directly affects the Minnesota Legislature by establishing an official record of this historical milestone and highlighting the Declaration of Independence's principles. It serves as a symbolic gesture to honor the nation's heritage and encourage civic reflection rather than implementing new laws or funding. The measure does not change existing policies or allocate resources but instead serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the event.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $6,419,000 in bonds to fund infrastructure improvements for the industrial park in East Grand Forks. The funds will be used to design and build necessary street and utility repairs and replacements in the area south of U.S. Highway 2 and east of 5th Avenue Northeast. A grant from these bond proceeds will be given to the city through the commissioner of employment and economic development to carry out the project. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of up to $10.3 million in state bonds to fund improvements at the Thief River Falls Airport. The funds will be used to extend and relocate the airport runway, build a new taxiway extension, update navigation systems, and reconstruct a section of a nearby county highway. The money will be provided directly to the airport authority through a grant from the state commissioner of transportation. Once passed, the state will issue the bonds to raise the necessary capital for these infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal option for perishable food producers in Minnesota to sue individuals who knowingly make false claims about their products. It specifically targets people who falsely state that a food item is unsafe or that farming methods used to create it make it unsafe, provided the speaker intended to harm the producer's reputation. If a court determines these false statements caused harm, it can order the speaker to pay damages. The law sets a one-year time limit for filing such lawsuits and defines "agricultural practices" to include farming, feeding, and livestock care methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax reduction authority for businesses operating in border city enterprise zones, directly affecting local governments and companies in cities like Breckenridge, Dilworth, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, and Ortonville. Key provisions include increasing the income tax credit for hiring employees from $3,000 to $5,000 per year, adding a new reimbursement option for land acquisition costs to prevent business relocation, and allowing the commissioner to allocate $2 million for tax reductions based on population. The legislation also removes certain restrictions on eligible properties, such as those owned by financial institutions and fraternal organizations, while maintaining exclusions for recreational facilities, public utilities, and franchised food and beverage businesses. Additionally, the bill expands the flexibility for cities to designate development zones by allowing them to designate all or any part of the city rather than limiting the number or size of designated areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $1 million in one-time funding to Minnesota counties, municipalities, and townships to help plan and develop regional drinking water systems. The funds can be used for planning activities like feasibility studies, engineering analysis, legal assessments, and community engagement to support infrastructure projects under state law. The commissioner of health must create an application process by November 2026 that prioritizes projects addressing aging infrastructure, water quality, affordability, or economic development, with each grant capped at $300,000 annually and requiring a 25 percent match from recipients. A report on grant awards and project progress must be submitted to legislative committees by January 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $7,267,000 in bonds to fund waste management projects for the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority, which serves five counties in western Minnesota. The funds will support the design and construction of an ash recovery and recycling plant that turns landfill ash into road construction material and recovers metals, as well as a waste transfer station to consolidate trash for regional processing. The money is allocated through a grant to Otter Tail County, which manages the joint powers board representing the participating counties. Once enacted, the state will sell the bonds to raise the necessary capital for these infrastructure improvements.