Sen. Gene Dornink

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $5,000,000 in bonds to fund a project at the Hormel Institute in Austin. The funds will be used to design, construct, and equip a renovated space dedicated to STEM and bioimaging education, as well as workforce development and K-12 engagement. The money will be provided through a grant to the Austin Port Authority, which will oversee the renovation and setup of the facility. Once passed, the state will immediately begin the process of selling these bonds to raise the necessary capital.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility criteria for the Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program in Minnesota, directly affecting dairy farmers who may qualify for financial assistance. The legislation adjusts funding allocations and program requirements within the existing agricultural support framework, specifically updating provisions related to the DAIRI program under Minnesota statutes. Key changes include revised eligibility standards and updated funding distribution mechanisms to ensure resources reach eligible dairy operations. The bill also maintains existing funding levels for related agricultural research and development programs while implementing these eligibility modifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $4 million from the state airports fund to the Duluth Airport Authority for upgrading the Duluth International Airport's air traffic control tower and base building. The funding covers the design and construction of new facilities, including office spaces and equipment rooms, as well as site preparation, utility installation, and the replacement of an existing fuel tank. A portion of these funds must be used to match federal contributions for the project, and the money is restricted from being used for administrative costs. This one-time appropriation is available for use until June 30, 2028, and is in addition to previously approved funding for the same initiative.

Maddy summarySF 4069 updates definitions in Minnesota's veterinary practice laws to clarify terminology for professionals and facilities. It adds specific definitions for terms like "accredited program of veterinary technology," "client," "consent," "dispensing," and "emergency stabilization" while expanding the definition of "animal" to include nonhuman mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. These changes standardize how veterinary care, drug use, and patient interactions are legally described under Minnesota Statutes. The bill directly affects veterinarians, veterinary technicians, pharmacies, and animal care facilities by providing clearer regulatory language. (Note: This is a definitional bill with no substantive policy changes described in the text.)

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million in state bond funds specifically for Minnesota towns' road and bridge maintenance. $25 million is designated for town roads and $10 million for town bridges, to be distributed per existing state law (Minnesota Statutes, section 162.081). The funds will be raised through the sale of state bonds, authorized under state bond laws and constitution. The bill directly affects Minnesota towns and cities responsible for maintaining local road and bridge infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota cities, counties, and towns to temporarily relax rules on how they must use money received from the Minnesota Investment Fund. Under the new provision, eligible local governments can transfer up to 20 percent of their unspent loan repayment funds to the state general fund by June 30, 2027, while using the remaining 80 percent for any legal local expenses. In exchange for this flexibility, affected entities must submit a detailed report by February 15, 2028, explaining how they used and distributed the funds. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply only to funds that have not yet been committed to specific projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies labeling requirements for soil amendments, plant amendments, and beneficial substances sold in Minnesota. It requires product labels to clearly list active ingredients, net weight, manufacturer information, usage directions, and guaranteed analysis, while exempting inert ingredients from mandatory disclosure. The legislation also mandates that registration applications include a certificate of composition detailing the amounts and formulas of inert ingredients and beneficial substances. These changes directly affect manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of agricultural products by standardizing how product information is presented to consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a property tax exemption for specific electric generation facilities in Minnesota. It would apply to natural gas-powered plants with a capacity between 40 and 50 megawatts that are owned by municipal power agencies and located outside the metropolitan area. To qualify, the facility must be built between January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2030, be situated within 1,000 feet of an existing natural gas pipeline, address a resource shortage identified in an integrated resource plan, and receive approval from the city and county where it is located. The exemption would cover attached machinery and personal property at the facility but would not include transmission lines, interconnections, or gas pipelines. The tax exemption would begin with property taxes payable in 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines misuse of earned sick and safe time in Minnesota and outlines specific situations where employers may request documentation from employees. It states that misuse occurs when employees use this leave for purposes not covered by the law, removing certain employee protections in such cases. The bill also allows employers to ask for reasonable documentation when there is a pattern of suspected misuse, such as repeatedly taking leave before or after scheduled days off, using small increments of time at shift boundaries, or taking leave on days when other paid leave was previously denied. Employers must follow existing rules when requesting documentation and cannot be considered retaliatory for doing so.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's electrical work supervision requirements to clarify who can supervise electrical work and under what conditions. It directly affects licensed electricians, contractors, and unlicensed workers by updating rules for journeyworker electricians, power limited technicians, and unlicensed individuals performing electrical tasks. The key changes allow employers to supervise electrical work through joint employment arrangements rather than requiring direct employment, while maintaining limits on how many unlicensed workers a licensed individual can supervise. The bill also clarifies experience requirements for licensing and establishes record-keeping obligations for contractors employing unlicensed workers. These provisions aim to provide clearer guidance on supervision responsibilities without changing the fundamental licensing requirements for electrical work in Minnesota.