Sen. Eric Pratt

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates specific funds from Minnesota's renewable development account for a grant to Recycling and Energy and Dem-Con HZI Bioenergy, LLC. The funds will support constructing an anaerobic digestor energy system in Louisville Township, which converts diverted food and organic waste into renewable natural gas and biochar. The project directly affects these two organizations as the grant recipients and the local community through waste processing. The key mechanism is state funding for a specific facility, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summarySF 901 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide equine-experiential mental health therapy to eligible first responders through Abijah's on the Backside. It directly affects active or retired peace officers, firefighters (full-time and volunteer), ambulance personnel, 911 telecommunicators, and correctional officers suffering from job-related trauma or PTSD. The bill requires the grant recipient to submit two reports detailing program budget, expenditures, participants served, and services provided - due January 2026 and January 2028. This is a one-time appropriation with no ongoing funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two specific debt limits for Minnesota's state government. It requires the commissioner to calculate the maximum new debt the state can issue, ensuring debt payments stay under 3% of projected general fund revenue for all state debt, and under 0.6% for certain bond types like agency bonds. These limits apply to new borrowing starting July 2025 and must be included in annual debt forecasts. The bill directly affects how the state manages its borrowing authority for capital projects, preventing excessive debt accumulation relative to revenue.

Maddy summarySF 762 increases criminal penalties for introducing contraband into Minnesota correctional facilities. It raises the felony penalty for bringing prohibited items (like drugs or weapons) into jails or prisons beyond the current maximum two-year sentence. The law applies to anyone who introduces contraband without facility staff consent, including inmates and visitors. Dangerous weapons already carry a maximum five-year sentence under existing law, and this bill expands the scope of the penalty increase to cover additional contraband types. The change directly affects facility security and those who violate rules regarding prohibited items.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million in state bond funds to install suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus. It directly affects the university, bridge users, and suicide prevention efforts at this specific location. The key mechanism is authorizing the sale of $15 million in state bonds to cover the design and construction costs, with requirements for the university to consult with suicide prevention experts and impacted individuals during planning. The project aims to replace existing pedestrian enclosures with barriers designed to prevent suicide attempts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $12 million in state bonds for capital improvements to public water access points and boating facilities on Minnesota's public waters, managed by the Department of Natural Resources. It also allocates $17.8 million in bonds for capital upgrades to state fish hatcheries, including up to $3 million specifically for planning and designing a new St. Paul hatchery facility in the metro area with research and education capabilities. The funds will be drawn from a bond proceeds fund, with bond sales governed by Minnesota's bond laws. The bill directly affects state natural resources management and public users of water access sites and hatchery facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of "employee" under the state's earned sick and safe time law. It explicitly excludes specific groups from eligibility, including volunteer/paid-on-call firefighters and ambulance personnel, elected officials or appointees filling vacancies, farm workers employed for 28 days or less annually, and inmates working in correctional facilities. The change clarifies who qualifies for sick and safe time benefits by refining the existing definition. This affects employers and workers in these excluded categories by determining their eligibility under current law. The amendment updates Minnesota Statutes section 181.9445, subdivision 5.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025 to repair railroad track between Winthrop and Hanley Falls. The funds will cover track rehabilitation, environmental work, bridge replacement, and federal matching requirements for the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority. This one-time funding is in addition to previous state appropriations for the same project. It directly supports the rail authority's efforts to upgrade infrastructure on this specific corridor.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the Minnesota Humanities Center to administer a commemorative program marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Secret War in Laos, and Southeast Asian Conflict. It funds joint commemoration activities as specified in prior legislation (Laws 2024, chapter 106, article 4, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (k)). The program is administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center and directly supports commemorative events, not new policies or affected populations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill SF 765 clarifies definitions for Minnesota's regional sales tax system by amending statutes to specify that "metropolitan area" includes Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. It defines key terms like "Metropolitan Council" and "metropolitan sales tax" to ensure consistent application of the tax. The bill sets a 0.25% sales tax rate on retail purchases made within these counties or destined for them, effective after June 30, 2025. This directly affects businesses and consumers in those seven counties who pay the regional sales tax.