Sen. Ann Rest

Maddy summaryHF 2438 is a funding bill that allocates $4.88 billion for Minnesota's Department of Transportation (DOT) in fiscal year 2026 and $3.96 billion in 2027. It specifies funding sources including the trunk highway fund ($3.43 billion for 2026), airports fund ($28 million annually), and county/municipal state-aid highway funds. The bill directs funds toward existing programs like airport development, aviation support services, and Civil Air Patrol, with no new policy changes. It affects state agencies managing transportation infrastructure, airports, and highway systems, not individual citizens or businesses. This is a routine budget appropriation, not a policy bill.

Maddy summarySF 2082 is a transportation funding bill that allocates $4.88 billion for 2026 and $3.96 billion for 2027 to Minnesota's Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Public Safety, and Metropolitan Council. It provides specific funding for highway maintenance ($1.1 billion annually from the state-aid highway fund), airport development ($19.6 million annually from the state airports fund), and transit/active transportation ($18.4 million annually from the general fund). The bill also includes provisions allowing unused airport funds to carry over for up to five years to advance projects, with notifications required to legislative committees if such funds are used. This bill directly affects state agencies managing transportation infrastructure, airports, and transit systems, as well as local governments receiving state-aid highway funds.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates David Davis, a music teacher in St. Louis Park, on being named the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. The document highlights his specific achievements, noting that he is the first music educator to receive this state honor since 1999 and detailing his recognition for promoting equity and arts education. By passing this resolution, the Senate acknowledges his contributions to public education and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send an official copy of the document to him.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new advertising services tax in Minnesota, directly affecting businesses that provide advertising services to clients. The key provision expands the state's sales tax definition to include advertising services as a taxable transaction, treating them similarly to other taxable services like laundry, lawn care, and security services. Businesses offering advertising services will now need to collect and remit sales tax on their fees, while the bill clarifies that services performed by employees for employers remain non-taxable. The legislation amends existing Minnesota tax statutes to formally categorize advertising services within the taxable services list without specifying a tax rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new licensing and registration requirements for entities selling travel insurance in Minnesota. It requires "limited lines travel insurance producers" (such as managing general agents and travel administrators) and "travel retailers" (businesses that arrange travel and offer insurance) to be licensed, with producers maintaining a registry of authorized retailers. The bill mandates clear disclosure to customers about policy terms, claims processes, and the identities of insurers and producers. It defines travel insurance to cover trip interruption, baggage loss, medical emergencies during travel, and related services, while excluding long-term medical plans. The bill is currently pending in the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee after introduction on February 23, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 3794 would allow Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer virtual-currency custody services, such as safely holding customers' digital assets (like Bitcoin) or the private keys needed to access them. The bill requires financial institutions to follow strict safety rules, including cybersecurity measures, written risk policies, and keeping customer crypto separate from the institution's own assets. It mandates 60-day written notice to regulators before offering these services and sets an effective date of August 1, 2026. The law does not change how virtual currency is legally treated but directly affects financial institutions and their customers seeking secure crypto storage options.

Maddy summarySF 5052 is a comprehensive tax bill that modifies Minnesota's individual, corporate, and property tax systems while introducing new levies such as a social media tax and a Hennepin County health care tax. The legislation primarily affects taxpayers, businesses, and local governments by updating state tax laws to align with recent federal changes and establishing new revenue sources. Key provisions include creating a tax on amounts acquired through fraud, adjusting various tax exemptions, and setting up seasonal tax base replacement aid for local areas. The bill also authorizes local sales taxes, modifies existing tax credits and definitions, and includes technical corrections to current statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $20 million in bonds to fund a new public works facility for the city of Robbinsdale. The appropriated funds will be used to grant money to Robbinsdale for designing and constructing the facility. The legislation directs the state's commissioner of management and budget to handle the bond sale according to existing state laws. Once passed, the measure becomes effective immediately and provides the financial mechanism for this capital investment project.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax on individuals and organizations convicted of fraud who continue to benefit from those illegal gains. It establishes a penalty of up to 100% of the fraudulent amounts received if no criminal conviction has occurred yet, while also increasing existing penalties for false returns to 50% of the tax involved. To support enforcement, the legislation allows the Department of Revenue to share confidential tax data with the Financial Crimes and Fraud Section to investigate these cases. Additionally, the bill mandates that tax return information be shared with state auditors and the inspector general to facilitate oversight of public funds. These measures are set to take effect for fraud convictions occurring after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3766 establishes new licensing and registration requirements for businesses selling travel insurance in Minnesota. It directly affects travel insurance producers (such as agents and managing general agents) and travel retailers (like travel agencies that offer insurance as part of their service). The bill requires producers to hold a specific license, mandates retailers to register with the state and operate under a licensed producer, and requires both to provide customers with clear information about coverage terms, claims processes, and cancellation procedures. It also defines travel insurance to cover trip interruptions, baggage loss, medical emergencies during travel, and excludes major medical plans for long-term travelers.