Sen. Steve Drazkowski

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota courts to recognize the fundamental right to the parent-child relationship when making child custody and parenting time decisions. It mandates that judges uphold prior court rulings from SooHoo v. Johnson and Troxel v. Granville, which establish that courts must protect this right unless there is clear and convincing evidence of harm to the child. The legislation ensures that both fit parents retain equal rights to custody and care regardless of their marital status, and it requires courts to apply strict legal scrutiny before limiting these parental rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Congress to call a constitutional convention specifically to limit how many terms members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate can serve. Minnesota is submitting this request under Article V of the Constitution, which allows state legislatures to apply for such a convention when two-thirds of states agree on the same topic. The resolution states that Minnesota's application will be combined with similar applications from other states but not with requests for different constitutional changes. If enough states submit matching applications, Congress would be required to convene a limited convention focused solely on term limits for federal legislators. The Minnesota Secretary of State is instructed to send copies of this resolution to federal officials and other state legislatures to coordinate the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts agricultural products and equipment from certain regulations that would otherwise ban products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Minnesota. It removes specific reporting requirements for intentionally added PFAS in pesticide applications and modifies how manufacturers must submit information for agricultural products. The legislation also exempts the sale or resale of used products from the PFAS restrictions that apply to new items. By repealing certain sections of existing statutes, the bill ensures that farming and agricultural operations are not subject to the same PFAS limitations as consumer goods like carpets, cookware, and furniture.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change the term length for appointed members of the Red Wing Port Authority from three years to six years for positions starting on or after January 1, 2011. The change applies specifically to appointees of this local government body and requires the city of Red Wing and its chief clerical officer to comply with certain state statutes before the new term lengths take effect. By amending Minnesota Statutes section 469.081, subdivision 3a, the legislation modifies the existing rules governing how long these appointed officials serve on the authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state budget forecasts to include estimates of how fraud affects state programs and revenues. It mandates that the state budget commissioner consult with legislative committee chairs and staff when determining variables like inflation and fraud impacts, with specific timing requirements for these consultations. The law also adds a new requirement for forecasts to explicitly address the budgetary consequences of fraud committed against state programs. These changes apply to the state budget forecasting process and affect the Minnesota Department of Revenue and legislative budget committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow new white-tailed deer farms in Minnesota by removing a current prohibition on registering new farms for this species. It directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses that wish to raise white-tailed deer for commercial purposes. The key provision amends existing animal health laws to permit new registrations while maintaining requirements for mandatory registration with the Board of Animal Health and seizure of unregistered animals. The bill also allows existing registrants to transfer their permits to immediate family members for a one-time fee, but does not change rules about revoked registrations or animal seizure procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Office of the Legislative Auditor and the state auditor to access and review expunged criminal records when evaluating final candidates for employment. The change directly affects these two state auditing agencies by permitting them to consider prior convictions that have been legally sealed or expunged during their hiring processes. Under the new provisions, auditors may disqualify candidates based on these records without needing a separate court order, provided the conviction is directly related to the job position. The legislation amends existing state statutes to create this specific exception to expungement protections for these particular government hiring roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate Minnesota's child care assistance program by repealing numerous existing state statutes that govern its operation and administration. The legislation directly affects families who currently receive financial support for child care services and the agencies responsible for managing the program. Key provisions include removing specific legal definitions, payment structures, and regulatory requirements related to child care assistance, with the changes taking effect on July 1, 2027. The bill also directs state officials to identify and remove all references to the program from the state code by February 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of a crime of violence from receiving Minnesota's major public assistance programs, including food support, medical assistance, economic assistance, and MinnesotaCare. The legislation directly affects people who have been found guilty of violent offenses as defined by state law, extending eligibility restrictions to similar crimes committed in other states or federal jurisdictions. By adding new subdivisions to existing statutes, the bill removes these individuals from eligibility for benefits while maintaining current rules for other categories of offenders. The changes apply regardless of the person's age or whether they are currently incarcerated, creating a permanent disqualification from these specific public aid programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers responsibility for regulating aquaculture in Minnesota from the commissioner of natural resources to the commissioner of agriculture. It directly affects private fish hatcheries, aquatic farms, and aquarium facilities that culture aquatic life, requiring them to comply with new licensing and oversight procedures. The key provisions include establishing fees to make aquaculture licensing self-sustaining, clarifying that private aquatic life is not wildlife, and shifting inspection and enforcement authority to the commissioner of agriculture. The bill also updates requirements for fish health inspections, transportation documentation, and the movement of aquatic species between facilities to prevent disease spread and protect natural waterways.