Rep. Ron Kresha

Maddy summaryHF 3491 authorizes Minnesota to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) to provide scholarships to students. These SGOs must be tax-exempt nonprofits that spend at least 90% of funds on scholarships, verify household income, prioritize returning students and siblings, and avoid earmarking funds for specific students. The bill requires SGOs to annually report compliance to the Minnesota Department of Education, which must then post a list of qualified organizations online. The law explicitly states it does not grant schools or districts additional control over nonpublic schools or students.

Maddy summaryHF 29 suspends the scheduled 2030-2031 review of Minnesota's social studies academic standards and repeals requirements for schools to include ethnic studies content in their curriculum. It also cancels funding allocated for ethnic studies programs. The bill modifies existing education statutes by removing mandates for schools to integrate ethnic studies or Indigenous education into social studies standards, effectively eliminating these curriculum components. This directly affects Minnesota public schools and students by removing specific educational content requirements and associated funding. The changes take effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1161 creates a new funding mechanism for Minnesota school districts with significant seasonal property (like lakeshore areas). It establishes "seasonal tax base replacement aid" that adjusts a district's local tax levy based on the ratio of seasonal property value to total property value, with the adjustment capped between 50% and 100%. The bill appropriates funds to cover this aid, reducing districts' required tax levies without lowering them below zero, starting with taxes payable in 2026. This directly affects school districts that rely on seasonal property taxes for local funding.

Maddy summaryHF 1372 allows Minnesota cities to create designated "social districts" where alcohol purchased at licensed bars or restaurants can be consumed in public areas adjacent to those venues. The bill requires cities to clearly mark district boundaries with signs showing permitted hours, include safety statements on containers (e.g., "Drink Responsibly - Be 21"), and restrict containers to non-glass, 16-ounce sizes with specific labeling. It mandates cities to report on community impact, safety concerns, and operational challenges within 24 months of implementation. This directly affects local governments, licensed businesses, and public safety management in areas where such districts are established.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires underground telecommunications installers working near existing utilities to be "safety-qualified" starting in 2025. It mandates that certified installers must perform utility location checks (via hand/hydro-excavation) and monitor directional drilling operations, with at least two certified installers present during drilling. Installers must complete a 40-hour training course covering utility safety, incident response, and equipment use, pass an exam, and take 4-hour refresher courses every three years to maintain certification. The rule applies to all installations within 10 feet of existing utilities or crossing them, beginning July 1, 2025, in the seven-county metro area and January 1, 2026, statewide - excluding private property installations under 36 inches deep.

Maddy summaryHF 3312 changes the funding model for Perpich Center for Arts Education's high school, shifting it to a student-based funding system for two years starting July 2025. It mandates the permanent closure of the Perpich Center for Arts Education by June 30, 2027, and allocates funds to support this transition. The bill directly affects Perpich students, staff, and the school's operations by ending its current structure and moving to a model tied to student enrollment. Key provisions include the two-year funding shift and the specific closure date, with no new funding mechanisms for post-2027 operations.

Maddy summaryHF 47 modifies certification requirements for underground telecommunications installers in Minnesota. It mandates that workers performing installations near existing utilities or using directional drilling must be certified safety-qualified installers, requiring a 40-hour training course covering utility identification, incident response, and safety procedures. The law phases in requirements: certified installers must be used for new work in the seven-county metro area starting July 1, 2025, and statewide by January 1, 2026, with a 36-inch depth exemption for private property. Installers must pass an exam and complete refresher courses every three years to maintain certification. This directly affects telecommunications companies, installers, and construction projects involving underground utility work.

Maddy summaryHF 3266 prohibits Minnesota state agencies, local governments, and private entities from using automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) aviation tracking data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators. ADS-B is the technology aircraft use to broadcast location data to air traffic control and other aircraft. The bill amends Minnesota law to explicitly ban this specific use of the data for fee collection within Minnesota airspace. This directly affects aircraft owners and operators who might otherwise face fees based on their flight data. The law takes effect immediately after enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 3226 modifies Minnesota's liquor licensing rules to allow microdistilleries and distilled spirits manufacturers to operate cocktail rooms on their premises. The bill permits these businesses to sell their own distilled spirits on-site (including on Sundays if authorized by the municipality), with each distiller limited to one cocktail room license. Municipalities must charge a fee and report license details to the state commissioner, while preventing entities from holding both cocktail room and taproom licenses unless they held both before August 20, 2014. This directly affects small distilleries seeking expanded on-site sales options under new licensing terms.

Maddy summaryHF 3227 requires Minnesota state licensing commissioners to rewrite the written portions of professional licensing exams using plain language by February 2026. It mandates specific writing rules like using active voice, short sentences, common words, and direct "you" addressing to make exams clearer for applicants. The bill directly affects license seekers taking state-issued exams (e.g., for nurses, contractors, or other professions) by ensuring the written test assesses knowledge, not reading difficulty. Commissioners must also submit a 2027 report detailing how each license type implemented these changes. This is a concrete policy change focused on improving accessibility of licensing exams.