Sen. Eric Lucero

Maddy summarySF 3270 requires businesses like restaurants, stores, and hotels (places of public accommodation) to get explicit written consent before collecting biometric data, such as facial scans, fingerprints, or voice recordings. It prohibits collecting or using this data without an individual's clear, affirmative written consent, which must include a prominent notice about the purpose of collection. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per incident or criminal misdemeanor charges. The law takes effect August 1, 2025, and applies to all public accommodations in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 3286, the Intellectual Freedom Protection Act, prohibits public postsecondary institutions in Minnesota (including Minnesota State Colleges and the University of Minnesota) from requiring students or faculty to pledge support for or opposition to political ideologies like diversity, equity, inclusion, or patriotism as a condition for admission, hiring, or promotion. The bill mandates that institutions cannot use such pledges to make decisions about students or faculty, and requires them to publicly post all diversity-related training materials and policies online. It creates a private right for individuals to sue institutions for violations (with potential damages and attorney fees) and authorizes the Attorney General to seek injunctions and impose $100,000 civil penalties per violation. The law explicitly preserves compliance with antidiscrimination laws and academic freedom while banning political ideology-based requirements.

Maddy summarySF 1063 creates a new Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsperson within Minnesota's Department of Commerce. The ombudsperson, appointed by the governor, helps resolve disputes between unit owners (e.g., condo or townhome residents) and their community associations. Key duties include compiling complaints, providing dispute resolution services, publishing resources about rights under Minnesota law, and maintaining a public website with relevant information. The bill also appropriates funds for the office's operations starting in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers or associations from retaliating against employees or members by threatening job loss, wage cuts, or other economic penalties because they refused to discuss government actions with officials. It directly affects workers and organizations who may face pressure to engage with public officials about legislative or administrative matters. The law clarifies that this protection does not apply to jobs where political affiliation is a legitimate job requirement. Violations are punishable as gross misdemeanors under Minnesota Statutes §10A.36.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's requirements for manufactured home park owners who receive unsolicited offers to sell their park. It mandates that owners must mail a specific notice to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and all park resident households. The notice must include the price range and key terms of the offer, allow resident representatives or nonprofits to submit counteroffers, and provide a monitored contact point for inquiries. Park owners aren't required to sell to resident groups but must follow these notice procedures, and the housing agency must share the notice with registered resident representatives and nonprofits within five days.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota schools from listing parents' home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal contact information as "directory information" that is publicly available. It directly affects parents (by preventing their contact details from being shared without consent) and school districts (which must stop designating such information as public). The key provision amends state law to explicitly ban treating parent contact details as directory information, except for limited voter outreach during school referendums (with strict 15-day data retention rules). The change takes effect immediately upon enactment, requiring schools to treat parent contact information as private data regardless of prior designation.

Maddy summarySF 3166 amends Minnesota law to require the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to send manufactured home park owners a standardized annual notice letter. This letter must include specific details about the $15 annual assessment per licensed lot, an invoice, instructions for distributing notices to residents, and mandatory language stating the fee is required ("THIS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL FEE"). Park owners must distribute this notice to residents by September 15, with payment due October 31. The bill directly affects manufactured home park owners (who pay the assessment) and residents (who must pay the $15 fee if they live in the park).

Maddy summarySF 3140 requires the state agency administering Minnesota's First-Generation Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance Fund to submit an annual report by January 15 to legislative housing committees. The report must detail, by county, the total number of down payment assistance awards, the total amount awarded, and the types of housing purchased (e.g., single-family homes, condos, manufactured housing). This bill does not change the assistance program itself but mandates transparency by requiring specific data collection and reporting. The requirement applies to the state agency managing the fund and affects how housing finance data is tracked and shared with lawmakers.

Maddy summarySF 2215 modifies requirements for Minnesota's "Waiver Reimagine" program, which helps individuals with disabilities access community-based services. The bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Waiver Reimagine with 10 members, including four people currently receiving waiver services (with geographic and service-hour diversity requirements), legislators, county staff, and disability advocates. It requires the human services commissioner to submit waiver plans to this Task Force for approval before seeking federal approval, allowing six months for public input and revisions. The bill also updates reporting rules, mandating detailed plans for service menus, budget adjustments, and individualized budget ranges based on need - not location - before December 2026. This directly affects individuals receiving waiver services, county social services staff, and disability service providers.

Maddy summarySF 686, titled the "Unilateral Emergency Powers Repeal Act," removes the governor's authority to unilaterally declare a state of emergency. Instead, it requires the legislature to formally declare emergencies and extend them, shifting this power from the executive to the legislative branch. The bill also repeals the governor's ability to issue emergency orders with the full force of law and explicitly protects citizens' rights - including free speech, assembly, travel, and business operations - from infringement during emergencies. These changes amend multiple sections of Minnesota Statutes related to emergency management (e.g., sections 12.03, 12.21, and 12.32) to establish a more collaborative process between the governor and legislature.