Sen. Eric Pratt

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $4 million from the state general fund for a one-time grant to the city of Shakopee to design, construct, furnish, and equip an Innovation Hub. The facility will serve as a regional center for workforce training and entrepreneur support. The funding is specifically for developing this physical location, not for ongoing operational costs. The city of Shakopee directly receives and manages the funds to build the hub, which will benefit local workers and small business owners in the region.

Maddy summarySF 1280 prohibits local governments in Minnesota from adopting ordinances or policies that refuse to enforce traffic laws. It directly affects cities, towns, and local law enforcement agencies by banning any rules that restrict enforcement of traffic violations. The bill makes such policies void if enacted, requiring local authorities to enforce all traffic laws uniformly. This changes local policy by eliminating the ability to create "no enforcement" zones for traffic regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota's 0.25% metropolitan region sales and use tax, which applied to retail purchases in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (specifically the 8-county region). The tax, established under Minnesota Statutes 297A.9925, funded housing assistance programs by distributing proceeds to state rent assistance and county housing accounts. The repeal takes effect July 1, 2025, removing this dedicated revenue source for housing aid in the metropolitan area. This is a direct policy change eliminating a specific local tax and its funding mechanism.

Maddy summarySF 1124, the "Minnesota Sports Betting 3.0 Act," legalizes and regulates state-licensed sports betting and fantasy contests for Minnesotans aged 21+. It authorizes mobile sports betting through licensed operators, prohibits local governments from banning betting venues, and establishes tax rates on wagering revenue. The bill defines key terms (like "athletic event" excluding horse racing and high school sports), requires operators to maintain mobile betting accounts, and mandates reporting to the state. It also includes provisions for amateur sports grants and modifies existing gambling tax structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $40.8 million in state bond funds to construct bridges and interchanges on Interstate 35 at Dakota County State-Aid Highway 50 (CSAH 50) in Lakeville, Minnesota. It covers environmental analysis, design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of two bridges over CSAH 50 plus associated ramps. The funds will come from bonds sold by the state under Minnesota law, with proceeds deposited into the trunk highway fund. The project directly affects Lakeville residents and commuters using this specific I-35 interchange by improving traffic flow and safety at the intersection.

Maddy summarySF 1147 appropriates $7.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $7.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Metropolitan Council. The funds are specifically for hiring additional sworn officers and covering their staff and equipment costs within the Metro Transit Police Department. This bill directly affects Metro Transit Police operations by providing dedicated funding to expand their staffing capacity. The measure focuses solely on allocating state funds for this purpose, with no additional policy provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from state bonds to fund the replacement of wetlands drained or filled during local road repairs, reconstruction, or rehabilitation projects. The Board of Water and Soil Resources will use these funds to acquire land, restore wetlands, and create replacement credits to offset impacts from road projects required under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 103G.222). It authorizes the sale of $15 million in state bonds to finance this program, with funds dedicated specifically to wetland restoration rather than other capital projects. The policy change directly affects local road maintenance projects that require wetland mitigation under state environmental requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Minnesota's annual funding for public schools by raising the general education basic formula allowance by an additional 3% each year starting in fiscal year 2026. It directly affects all public school districts in Minnesota that receive state education funding under the basic formula. The key mechanism requires the state to calculate the annual increase as the greater of 3% or the inflation rate (based on the Consumer Price Index), but capped at 3%. This change amends existing statute to ensure schools receive predictable, inflation-adjusted funding while maintaining the state's constitutional obligation to fund public education. The bill takes effect for fiscal year 2026 and later.

Maddy summarySF 1169 requires state agencies to reduce their funding for any unfilled positions that remain vacant for 180 days or more after being posted. This applies to most state agency roles (excluding law enforcement and public safety positions) and reduces the general fund and nongeneral fund appropriations by the amount saved from unfilled salary and benefits. The reduced funding must be reflected in agency budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill also mandates that the commissioner of management and budget report these reductions to legislative finance committees.

Maddy summarySF 1094 requires Minnesota canvassing boards to complete two specific election review steps before certifying election results. The bill mandates that ballot reconciliation (per Section 204C.20) and postelection review (per Section 206.89) must be fully finished before the board can certify its final report. This directly affects local election officials serving on canvassing boards in all Minnesota elections. The change only modifies the timing of certification, not the content of the election review processes themselves.