Rep. Jeff Dotseth

Maddy summaryMinnesota's legislature has passed a resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution asks for proposed amendments to impose budget rules on federal spending, reduce federal government authority over states, and limit terms for federal officials and members of Congress. This is a procedural step - Minnesota is formally petitioning Congress, not creating new laws. The resolution serves as Minnesota's ongoing application for such a convention, pending similar actions by two-thirds of states.

Maddy summaryHF 25 establishes a state grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to fund nonprofit women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The program provides financial support for services like housing, medical care, parenting education, and mental health resources to help pregnant women and new mothers - particularly those facing homelessness or crisis - carry pregnancies to term and care for their children. Eligible organizations must be nonprofits offering free or low-cost services without promoting abortion, providing abortion care, or referring women to abortion providers. Grant funds cannot be used for abortion-related activities, and strict privacy rules require written consent before sharing personal information about clients. The bill appropriates state funds for this program while reducing other health-related appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 24 amends Minnesota Statutes section 145.423 to require that infants born alive during an abortion be immediately recognized as human persons under the law and receive medical care. The bill mandates that medical personnel take "all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice" to preserve the life and health of such infants, including compiling appropriate medical records. It directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions in Minnesota by establishing specific medical care obligations for infants born alive. The proposed changes would have taken effect the day after enactment, though the bill was not passed.

Maddy summaryHF 169 replaces Minnesota's previous tiered tax on gambling with a flat 8.5% tax on all lawful gambling receipts (minus prizes paid). This bill directly affects gambling organizations operating in Minnesota, including casinos, racetracks, and bingo halls. The key change eliminates the old "combined net receipts tax" system - which taxed profits at progressive rates based on revenue levels - and substitutes a simpler flat-rate calculation. The new tax takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all gambling except paper pull-tabs, tipboards, electronic bingo, and specific exempt games.

Maddy summaryHF 785 amends Minnesota law to allow students attending nonpublic schools (like private or religious schools) who live in a school district to fully participate in public school extracurricular activities - such as sports teams, clubs, and music programs - on the same terms as public school students. The bill specifically adds these students to the eligibility criteria under Minnesota Statutes 123B.49, subdivision 4, which previously covered home-schooled students and public school pupils. Key provisions clarify that extracurricular activities must be non-credit, generally outside school hours, and managed under staff guidance, with costs covered by school revenues. This change directly affects nonpublic school students in Minnesota districts, expanding their access to school-sponsored activities previously limited to public school and home-schooled residents.

Maddy summaryHF 2294 appropriates $2 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund renovations and exhibit upgrades at the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth. The bill directly provides funding to the Hall of Fame for physical facility improvements and updated exhibits. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no policy changes beyond the specified financial support. The legislation authorizes the commissioner of administration to distribute the grant to the Hall of Fame for these specific purposes. The bill does not affect other entities or create new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 1425 prohibits the commissioner of natural resources from selling any state-owned land located wholly or partially within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This directly affects the commissioner’s authority over state lands and prevents potential private sales in this protected wilderness area. The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes section 92.82, which previously allowed such sales, while permitting land exchanges. It applies to all state lands managed by the commissioner, including those acquired through legal processes like condemnation or congressional grants.

Maddy summaryHF 741 establishes a $10,000 income tax subtraction for individual volunteer fire and rescue workers in Minnesota, increasing to $20,000 for married couples where both spouses qualify. It directly affects volunteers who perform at least 40 hours of qualified work (such as firefighting, ambulance services, or search/rescue) during the year without working full-time (1,600+ hours). The bill defines "qualified rescue work" to include roles like volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and search/rescue team members. This tax benefit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 261 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund horse-assisted mental health therapy for eligible first responders in Minnesota. It directly affects active or retired peace officers, firefighters (full-time and volunteer), ambulance personnel, 911 telecommunicators, and correctional officers suffering from job-related trauma or PTSD. The funds will go to Abijah's on the Backside for therapy services, requiring two reports detailing program costs, participants, and outcomes by 2026 and 2028. This is a one-time appropriation to support existing mental health services for first responders, not a new statewide program.

Maddy summaryHF 1814 provides $2 million in fiscal year 2026 and $2 million in fiscal year 2027 to fund grants for local governments, tribal entities, and state agencies using Minnesota's statewide public safety radio system (ARMER). The grants cover purchasing or upgrading portable/mobile radios and compatible equipment that work with the ARMER system. Local governments can receive only one grant, must provide a 5% non-state match, and funds expire June 30, 2028. This one-time appropriation aims to improve emergency communication interoperability across participating public safety agencies.