Sen. Matt Klein

Maddy summarySF 3887 allows watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and towns with over 100 employees to self-insure for employee health benefits like long-term disability (but not life insurance). The bill requires self-insurance plans to meet legal benefit standards and be certified by the Department of Commerce before use. It also mandates that employers consult with employee representatives before adopting or dissolving self-insurance plans and provides options for employees to enroll in external insurance at their own expense. This expands existing self-insurance options previously limited to cities and counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota consumer protection laws by adding definitions for financial entities, banning unstaffed virtual currency kiosks by January 2027, and requiring operators to refund customers or provide alternative access methods by December 2026. It also establishes new standards for mortgage loan servicing, including provisions for borrower representatives and clear disclosure requirements, while adding student loan protections and requiring certain notices to the commissioner of commerce. The legislation directly affects insurance companies, financial institutions, mortgage servicers, virtual currency businesses, and consumers using these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's gambling laws by increasing the maximum cash prize for paddle tickets from $70 to $200 and raising the maximum ticket price from $2 to $5. It directly affects gambling organizations that sell paddle tickets, which are a type of lottery game. The changes are made to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 349.211, subdivision 2b, which governs paddlewheel prizes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmaceutical manufacturers in Minnesota to add back certain direct-to-consumer advertising expenses when calculating their state income and franchise taxes. It specifically targets marketing costs for prescription drugs and biologics that are directed at consumers through media channels like television, radio, print, and social media. The legislation does not change how these companies deduct these costs for federal tax purposes but instead prevents them from using those same deductions to lower their Minnesota tax liability. These changes will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes Minnesota's motor vehicle system by mandating the acceptance of electronic documents for vehicle titles and lien releases starting October 1, 2027. It requires dealers and authorized users to submit transfers digitally, while the state must set security standards for the companies providing these electronic services. The law also changes how title certificates are delivered, shifting from physical mail to electronic transmission for secured parties like lenders, and updates rules for issuing duplicate titles. Additionally, the bill restricts the issuance of duplicate titles when a security interest exists unless specific proof is provided, and it adjusts the commissioner's authority over rulemaking for these electronic processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January of each year as "Snow Professionals Appreciation Month" in Minnesota to honor individuals and businesses who clear snow, maintain road safety, and manage winter weather. It recognizes snow professionals - including residential shoveling services, commercial plowing companies, and municipal crews - who keep streets and paths safe during winter. The bill allows the governor to promote public awareness of this observance but does not create new regulations, funding, or obligations. It is a ceremonial designation focused solely on recognition, with no direct policy changes affecting residents or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes safety standards for fuel dispensing equipment used with alcohol-blended fuels containing more than 10% ethanol. It requires such equipment (including dispensers, hoses, nozzles, and pumps) to have third-party safety certification for the specific ethanol concentration (within 5 percentage points) and written manufacturer certification of compatibility. These rules apply directly to fuel station operators and equipment manufacturers in Minnesota. The requirements aim to ensure equipment safety without altering existing fire safety provisions like electrical classifications or emergency shutoff systems.

Maddy summarySF 3868 prohibits the placement or operation of virtual currency kiosks (physical machines for buying/selling cryptocurrency) within Minnesota. It directly affects businesses that operate such kiosks by banning their activity statewide. The bill creates a new legal provision (Minnesota Statutes § 53B.691) explicitly stating this prohibition and repeals all existing statutes (53B.69-53B.75) that previously defined virtual currency kiosk operations and related terms. This represents a complete ban on physical cryptocurrency kiosks in Minnesota, replacing the prior regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses and individuals from operating prediction markets in Minnesota that allow wagers on outcomes related to sports, politics, people, catastrophes, or death. It makes it a felony to run platforms where participants place bets on these specific future events, with exceptions for private social bets and licensed horse racing. The law also criminalizes advertising these prohibited products during certain times, in media likely to reach minors, near schools, or on public property. Financial institutions and payment processors that continue to process payments for these activities after receiving a cease and desist order from the attorney general would also face felony charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the operation of online sweepstakes games in Minnesota, which are defined as internet-based games that use a dual-currency system allowing players to exchange virtual currency for prizes or cash equivalents while simulating gambling. The law directly affects game operators, payment processors, financial institutions, and other entities that support these games by banning them from conducting or promoting such activities within the state. Key provisions require the commissioner of public safety and attorney general to deny licenses to anyone knowingly accepting revenue from these prohibited games and to enforce penalties for violations. The bill also establishes clear definitions for terms like "dual-currency" and "online sweepstakes game" to ensure consistent enforcement.