Sen. Mark Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's system for compensating counties for state-owned lands. It creates a new payment category for "other lakeshore land" - defined as state-owned natural resources land abutting lakes identified by the Department of Natural Resources. Counties will receive either $5.133 per acre or 0.75% of the land's appraised value (whichever is greater) for these parcels, added to existing payment formulas under Minnesota Statutes §477A.12, subdivision 1(10). The change takes effect for payments made in 2026 and later. It directly affects counties administering state-owned lakeshore properties.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally acknowledges the strong historical and cultural ties between Norway and Minnesota, recognizing the significant contributions of Norwegian immigrants to the state's communities and traditions. The bill highlights shared values such as democratic governance and resilience in cold weather, while celebrating specific cultural events and organizations that preserve Norwegian heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to create an official copy of the resolution and send it to the Norwegian Parliament delegation as a gesture of welcome and partnership. Because this is a ceremonial measure rather than a law with enforceable rules, it does not alter existing statutes or create new legal obligations for citizens or government agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows landowners or occupants to kill elk causing property damage without a permit. It amends Minnesota law to specifically include elk under the existing provision for taking animals causing damage (previously covering animals like raccoons but not elk). Landowners may kill elk without a license, except using artificial lights during closed season or poison, and must notify a conservation officer within 24 hours of the kill. This directly affects Minnesotans with elk-related property damage on their land.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $60,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $60,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to the Northern Crops Institute. The funds may be used by the Institute to purchase equipment. The bill directly affects the Northern Crops Institute by providing dedicated funding for equipment acquisition through the Agriculture Department. It is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes or broader regulatory impact.

Maddy summarySF 1396 prohibits Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency commissioner from adopting rules that apply exclusively to construction and demolition landfills. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 115A.06 to bar rules targeting facilities handling only construction debris (like wood, concrete, or shingles) or specific industrial waste from construction material manufacturing. This directly affects the commissioner's authority to create targeted regulations for these specific landfill types. The provision applies to all proposed or adopted rules not yet effective as of the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax credit for stillbirths, allowing eligible parents to claim a $2,000 credit against their state income tax for each stillbirth. It directly affects residents and certain nonresident spouses of military/UN personnel who experienced a stillbirth, defined as a birth requiring a fetal death report under state law. Key changes clarify eligibility (including out-of-state birth certificates), specify the credit applies only in the year of the stillbirth, and make the amendment retroactive to 2016. The bill also extends the deadline for claiming refunds for eligible past tax years (2016-2021) until January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue $6.5 million in bonds for two special education cooperatives in Minnesota. It provides funding for Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative No. 6096-52 and Area Special Education Cooperative No. 997 to build or improve facilities housing regional programs for students with autism, cognitive disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and other specific educational needs. The funds cover predesign, construction, renovation, and equipment without requiring local matching funds. The bonds will be sold through standard state procedures to finance these education learning centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota's utility commission to temporarily suspend or delay implementation of carbon-free energy standards for electric utilities under specific circumstances. It requires the commission to evaluate factors like customer cost impacts, environmental costs, grid reliability, and whether delays stem from issues beyond the utility's control (such as equipment shortages or transmission constraints). Utilities requesting a delay must submit a compliance plan, and the commission must grant a two-year delay if equipment or transmission issues are beyond the utility's control. The bill does not change the carbon-free standards themselves but provides a mechanism for temporary relief when implementation would cause significant rate hikes, reliability concerns, or other documented challenges.