Rep. Isaac Schultz

Maddy summaryHF 164 exempts tip income from Minnesota's individual income tax and tax withholding requirements. The bill defines "tips" as amounts reported to employers under IRS rules (per Internal Revenue Code sections 6053(a) or 3121(q)) and excludes these amounts from taxable income. This directly affects Minnesota workers who earn tips, such as servers and bartenders, by reducing their taxable income. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 290.0132 and 290.92 to implement this tax exemption.

Maddy summaryHF 114 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to provide grants to all 95 Minnesota county agricultural societies. The funds must be distributed equally to each county fair to enhance arts access, education, and the preservation of Minnesota's agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage. This grant program operates in addition to existing funding under Minnesota Statutes section 38.02. The commissioner of agriculture will develop grant criteria and seek public input to guide funding for projects supporting these goals.

Maddy summaryHF 1008 modifies Minnesota's definition of "public waters" to clarify that inclusion in the public waters inventory is not the sole factor determining public waters status, effective July 1, 2027. The bill eliminates an annual $1 million appropriation from the general fund that had funded updating the public waters inventory map through fiscal year 2032. This change removes dedicated funding for maintaining the inventory map, which previously tracked waters designated as public under state law. The bill impacts the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, local governments, and landowners who rely on the inventory for water management and land use decisions.

Maddy summaryHF 636 removes the requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in public places for eligible Minnesotans, while creating an optional permit system. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 624.714 to state that anyone not prohibited by state or federal law (and at least 21 years old) may carry a firearm without a permit in public places - defined as government-owned property or private property open to the public, excluding homes, businesses, gun shops, and hunting areas. An optional permit, which requires proof of pistol safety training and background checks for disqualifying offenses, remains available for those who choose it. This change directly affects eligible residents who currently need permits to carry firearms in public, eliminating that barrier while preserving the option for a permit.

Maddy summaryHF 471 provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials purchased between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2029, used in building Benton County's new government center in Foley. It directly affects Benton County (for its government center construction) and construction suppliers selling materials to the county during that period. The bill requires the county to pay tax upfront on qualifying materials but then receive a full refund through the state's standard refund process, with refunds delayed until after June 30, 2025. The exemption applies to materials incorporated into the building under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 297A, and is effective retroactively from April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 70 withdraws Minnesota from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a multi-state agreement that would have awarded the state's presidential electors based on the national popular vote winner. The bill amends Minnesota election law to remove the requirement to follow this compact, returning the process to the state's traditional method of selecting electors based on the winner of Minnesota's statewide popular vote. It repeals two specific sections of law (208.051 and 208.052) that implemented the compact's provisions. This change directly affects how Minnesota's presidential electors are chosen in future elections, aligning with the state's current electoral system.

Maddy summaryHF 647 amends Minnesota law to regulate new water permits from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer. It requires the commissioner to deny new permits for drinking water unless there are no feasible alternatives, a conservation plan using best practices is included, and the permit meets other water regulations. For non-drinking water use (like industrial), permits are only allowed outside metropolitan counties unless the same strict conditions apply. This directly affects municipalities, businesses, or agricultural users seeking new water access from this aquifer. The bill focuses on preventing new appropriations without proven necessity and strong conservation measures.

Maddy summaryHF 476 requires the Minnesota Attorney General to reimburse Mille Lacs County $7.8 million for legal costs incurred before 2024 in defending a specific lawsuit (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe v. County of Mille Lacs). The payment must be made by June 30, 2026, using funds appropriated from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026. This bill directly affects Mille Lacs County (as the recipient of reimbursement) and the Attorney General's office (as the payer). The law is a one-time reimbursement for past litigation costs, not a new policy affecting future cases.

Maddy summaryHF 126 allows legally carried firearms at Minnesota's State Fairgrounds by amending statutes to prevent the State Agricultural Society (which operates the fairgrounds) from banning lawful firearm possession. The bill clarifies that fairgrounds bylaws cannot prohibit firearms consistent with Minnesota's gun laws, while maintaining existing rules for private establishments (like requiring conspicuous "no guns" signs at entrances). It directly affects attendees, vendors, and staff at the State Fairgrounds, ensuring they can carry legally permitted firearms there. The changes take effect August 1, 2025, and do not override rules for parking areas or peace officer access.

Maddy summaryHF 253 temporarily prohibits Minnesota's commissioner of natural resources from modifying the state's public waters inventory under Minnesota Statutes §103G.201 until July 1, 2027. The bill requires the commissioner to submit a detailed report to the legislature by January 15, 2027, outlining how future inventory changes could better involve local governments and the public through consultation and comment opportunities. This bill directly affects the commissioner's authority and local governments involved in water management. The key change is a two-year pause on inventory updates plus a mandated review process to improve transparency.