Rep. Jeff Dotseth

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and limit optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain drugs. It specifically sets new time limits: oral antivirals may not be prescribed for more than 10 days, oral steroids for more than 14 days (requiring physician consultation), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for more than seven days. These changes apply directly to licensed optometrists in Minnesota who prescribe medications for eye conditions under the Board of Optometry's rules. The bill maintains existing restrictions on intravenous injections, invasive surgery, and Schedule II/III oral drugs.

Maddy summaryHF 856 creates a new position for a Common Interest Community Ombudsperson within Minnesota’s Department of Commerce to help resolve disputes between unit owners (like condo or HOA residents) and community associations. The ombudsperson will provide free dispute resolution services, maintain a public website with resources about rights and rules, and compile complaints - without making legal rulings or decisions. The bill classifies all personal data collected by the office as "private" or "nonpublic," requiring individual consent or court order for release. It appropriates funding for the office starting in fiscal year 2026, with the position effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1770 creates a grant program to fund infrastructure for cooperative manufactured housing developments in Minnesota. Counties and cities can receive grants covering up to 50% of infrastructure costs (like sewers, water systems, and streets) for projects serving manufactured housing cooperatives, with a maximum of $60,000 per housing lot. Applicants must provide local matching funds (cash or in-kind, such as site value) and demonstrate the project will increase workforce housing and attract additional private investment. The bill appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund these grants, with returned funds recycled for future grants if projects stall beyond five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 609.54 to clarify sentencing thresholds for embezzling public funds. It sets specific penalties based on the amount stolen: up to $2,500 (max 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine), $2,500-$100,000 (max 10 years or $20,000), or $100,000+ (max 20 years or $50,000). The law directly affects public officials or employees convicted of embezzling public funds, such as government employees or contractors handling public money. It takes effect August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 881 expands Minnesota's sales and use tax exemption for precious metal bullion to include coins and other forms of currency made of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. This change directly affects buyers and sellers of these items, removing sales tax on transactions involving such coins or currency (e.g., commemorative coins or bullion coins), while maintaining tax exemptions for existing bullion bars and rounds. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 297A.67 to redefine "bullion" to explicitly include coins and currency, ensuring consistent tax treatment for these assets compared to other investments like ETFs or bonds. It excludes jewelry, art, and scrap metal from the exemption, effective for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 2836 appropriates $250,000 from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund for a youth water safety grant program in fiscal year 2026. The program provides grants to nonprofit organizations and city/county parks/recreation programs that offer swimming lessons to youth, with priority for low-income and at-risk children. Grant funds must cover at least 85% in scholarships for these youth, while up to 15% may support hiring or training water safety instructors. The bill directly affects local providers of youth swimming programs and focuses on increasing access to water safety education.

Maddy summaryHF 1412 appropriates $202,600 from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Health for a one-time grant to the Division of Indian Work. The bill directs this funding to develop and pilot culturally specific suicide prevention curriculum for Native American youth in Minnesota. The curriculum must cover mental health, emotional intelligence, depression, and suicide, providing practical tools for students to support themselves and others. It specifically targets Native American youth and is not intended for general school use.

Maddy summaryHF 2769 establishes clear standards for "green burials" in Minnesota, requiring no embalming (or only nontoxic embalming), biodegradable caskets/shrouds, and no burial vaults. It increases the percentage of cemetery lot sale proceeds dedicated to permanent care funds from 20% to 25%, while maintaining the existing 10% requirement for mausoleum space. The bill also mandates specific location rules for green burial plots, including setbacks from water sources (50 feet from wells, 98.5 feet from springs) and flood zones. These changes directly affect cemetery associations, public cemeteries, and funeral service providers operating in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2635 appropriates $5.5 million from Minnesota's workforce development fund to build a regional career technical education center in Northeastern Minnesota. The funds will support Independent School District No. 704 in Proctor, in partnership with Hermantown and Esko school districts, to construct a facility for workforce training. The center must address regional industry needs and can use the funds for property, construction, remodeling, and equipment. This bill directly affects students and job seekers in the Northeastern Minnesota region by creating a dedicated training hub.

Maddy summaryHF 195 exempts property owned and operated by congressionally chartered veterans service organizations from Minnesota property taxes. The bill removes the standard property tax classification rate for this specific property and establishes a direct tax exemption. It requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to annually provide a list of qualifying organizations to the commissioner of revenue by January 1. The exemption takes effect for property assessments beginning in 2026.