Sen. Eric Pratt

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes and regulates sports betting in Minnesota by establishing a licensing system for operators and requiring the state commissioner to oversee mobile sports betting activities. It prohibits local governments from restricting sports betting and creates a framework for taxation, including modifications to existing gambling tax rates. The legislation also includes provisions for responsible gaming measures such as background checks for employees, restrictions on advertising targeting minors, and requirements to prevent problem gambling. Additionally, the bill provides for amateur sports grants and modifies laws related to pari-mutuel horse racing and charitable gambling.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes private companies to administer road tests for commercial driver's licenses in Minnesota, expanding options beyond state-run testing centers. It allows approved third-party testing programs to conduct practical driving demonstrations for commercial license applicants, with the commissioner responsible for approving programs and setting requirements. Key provisions include establishing application procedures for testing programs, requiring surety bonds, and mandating that test routes be mapped and submitted for approval. The legislation also directs the commissioner to create rules implementing the program and requires a report on the initiative's implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state departments and agencies to submit mandatory reports to legislative committee members electronically instead of by mail. It also limits how public entities distribute reports to legislators, allowing distribution only when requested and prohibiting sending materials to both home and office addresses unless specifically requested. The changes aim to reduce paper waste and streamline how government information reaches lawmakers by updating Minnesota Statutes section 3.195.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals in Minnesota to request a speech condition identifier, such as one for stuttering, on their driver's licenses or state identification cards. The change would require the commissioner to add a graphic or written symbol upon the applicant's written request while prohibiting the inclusion of specific medical details on the document. Applicants could also request the removal of this identifier when renewing or replacing their license by paying the standard fee. The measure directly affects Minnesota residents seeking to indicate speech conditions on their identification documents without disclosing private medical information.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory waiting period before new K-12 education funding mandates take effect, ensuring school districts and charter schools have adequate preparation time. Under the law, any substantive changes to education funding programs that impact most schools enacted after March 1 must wait until July 1 of the following year to become effective. The legislation also requires that bills significantly affecting school district duties include a completed local impact note from the Legislative Budget Office before they can take effect. This measure applies to all substantive education funding changes and becomes effective on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the Metropolitan Council from issuing certificates of participation for light rail guideways that rely on motor vehicle sales tax revenue, while requiring host counties to fund specific guideway costs. The law mandates that counties where guideways are located cover expenses for planning, design, construction, and operations that exceed federal, state, and other dedicated funding sources. It also requires counties to share capital maintenance and modernization costs based on an agreed-upon proportional distribution method. These provisions apply to Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties and take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state granting agencies to conduct unannounced, in-person site visits for grants exceeding $10,000 to monitor how funds are used. The law mandates at least one visit per grant and additional visits every 12 months for grants disbursed over a longer period, with exceptions only allowed for entire grant programs rather than individual cases. Granting agencies must also report on grant status whenever requested by the commissioner, and the commissioner retains authority to approve or deny exceptions to the site visit requirement. The changes directly affect state agencies that manage grant programs and the organizations receiving those grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates February 13 each year as Minnesota Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and Defamation Awareness Day to raise public awareness about these issues. It encourages schools, employers, state agencies, and community organizations to observe the day through educational programs, training, and prevention campaigns. The legislation provides definitions for bullying, harassment, and defamation while explicitly stating that it does not create new legal claims or change existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's existing requirements for educating parents and caregivers about the dangers of shaking infants and young children. It mandates that hospitals show an approved educational video to at least one parent before a newborn is discharged, while also requiring pediatricians and other primary care providers to use approved materials during well-baby visits for children up to age one. The bill establishes a review process where the commissioner of health must evaluate and update both the videos and educational materials every five years to ensure accuracy and completeness. Additionally, the legislation appropriates funding to support these educational initiatives and includes protections for facilities acting in good faith when distributing the materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of people who cannot earn early release credits in Minnesota prisons by adding specific sex trafficking and sexual assault crimes to the existing categories of ineligible offenses. It directly affects incarcerated individuals by removing their ability to gain time off for good behavior if they are convicted of certain serious crimes, including labor trafficking, prostitution, and various degrees of criminal sexual conduct. The law takes effect immediately upon final passage and applies to both the calculation of earned incentive release credits and the general eligibility for early release programs. Prisoners serving life sentences or those with older indeterminate sentences remain ineligible under current rules, while this amendment specifically targets new categories of sexual and trafficking-related offenses.