Sen. Sandy Pappas

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate Cesar Chavez Day as an official state observance in Minnesota by repealing the existing statute that established March 31 as a day to honor the labor leader. The legislation directly affects the state government by removing the legal requirement to recognize this specific date for celebrating Latino contributions and labor rights advocacy. If passed, the change would take effect immediately following final enactment, ending the annual commemoration that currently highlights Chavez's work in labor organizing and community advocacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to provide a grant for the Minnesota Transportation Museum. The funding is intended to help eliminate financial barriers and expand programs that introduce economically disadvantaged students to skilled trades such as railroading, welding, blacksmithing, and carpentry. The money is designated as a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2028, and will be managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines misuse of earned sick and safe time in Minnesota and outlines specific situations where employers may request documentation from employees. It states that misuse occurs when employees use this leave for purposes not covered by the law, removing certain employee protections in such cases. The bill also allows employers to ask for reasonable documentation when there is a pattern of suspected misuse, such as repeatedly taking leave before or after scheduled days off, using small increments of time at shift boundaries, or taking leave on days when other paid leave was previously denied. Employers must follow existing rules when requesting documentation and cannot be considered retaliatory for doing so.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's local government correctional service retirement plan by lowering contribution rates and increasing postretirement benefit adjustments. It reduces employee contributions from 6.83% to 6% of salary and employer contributions from 10.25% to 9% of salary, with both changes taking effect on January 1, 2027. The legislation also raises the standard annual cost-of-living adjustment for retirees from 1% to 3%, with a maximum increase of 3% unless the plan's assets fall below certain thresholds, which would lower the maximum to 1.5%. These changes will affect current and future correctional service employees and retirees covered under the Public Employees Retirement Association plan.

Maddy summarySF 3570 limits federal immigration officers' access to Minnesota's public postsecondary campuses, prohibiting entry without a court order. It directly affects public colleges and universities by restricting how immigration authorities can operate on campus grounds. The bill modifies data privacy rules in Minnesota Statutes, adding a specific requirement that immigration-related data disclosures must include a judicial order, strengthening existing protections for student records. These changes aim to prevent federal immigration enforcement from disrupting campus environments while maintaining existing legal pathways for data sharing in emergencies or with proper authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the maximum amount of state funding allowed for port development projects in Minnesota. It changes the current limit so that state assistance cannot exceed 80 percent of a project's total cost, which is an increase from the previous 75 percent cap. The legislation also clarifies that state funds cannot be used to match other state funding sources and confirms that the state will not assume ongoing financial responsibility for commercial navigation facilities. These changes directly affect the Minnesota Department of Transportation and port authorities seeking state grants for infrastructure improvements. The bill aims to provide more flexibility for port development projects while maintaining specific restrictions on how the funds can be utilized.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $20 million from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2026 to provide a one-time grant to the St. Paul Public Housing Agency. The funds will support the rehabilitation, preservation, equipping, and repair of deeply affordable single-family homes and duplex units managed by the agency and its affiliated nonprofit, Capital City Affordable Housing. The appropriation is directed through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and is limited to a single fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $375,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Clemency Review Commission. The funding is intended to help the commission process more clemency petitions from individuals seeking relief from their sentences. The money will support the commission's operations and increase its capacity to review cases. This measure directly affects the Clemency Review Commission and the people submitting clemency petitions in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $95 million in bonds to fund road and utility infrastructure improvements at the Sears site in St. Paul. The funds would support construction of sewer systems, water infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, lighting, and other public improvements needed to prepare the area for future development. The legislation allows the state commissioner to manage the bond issuance, enter into related financial agreements, and establish a dedicated fund to handle the bond proceeds and debt payments. This measure directly affects the city of St. Paul and the state's capital investment program by creating a financing mechanism for the Sears site redevelopment infrastructure.

Maddy summarySF 1580 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to establish a violence prevention research center under the commissioner of public safety. The center must operate as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on reducing violence, with specific emphasis on gun violence, using data analysis to inform criminal justice policy and practice in Minnesota. It will directly affect the commissioner of public safety (who administers the funds) and the research center itself, which must be created to improve policy through evidence-based research. The bill’s key mechanism is the dedicated funding for this specific research center, requiring it to prioritize gun violence issues and produce actionable insights for state policy.