Rep. Jeff Dotseth

Maddy summaryHF 555 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow owners of certain properties to vote on local tax and bond votes in the area where their property is located, even if they don’t live there. Specifically, it would grant voting rights to owners of agricultural land, nonhomesteaded noncommercial real property, or small business property (as defined by law). The amendment, if approved, would add this eligibility to Minnesota’s voting requirements in Article VII, Section 1 of the state constitution. The proposal must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election with a specific yes/no question about this change.

Maddy summaryHF 634 appropriates $1,950,000 from the state general fund for a one-time grant to the Minnesota Forest Zone Trappers Association. The funds are designated to cover land acquisition, design, construction, and site development for a Sportsman's and Sportswoman's Outdoor Development Learning Center in Hibbing. This bill directly affects the Minnesota Forest Zone Trappers Association and the Hibbing community by providing capital funding for the center's physical development. The appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, as specified in Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 173 modifies Minnesota's research credit for income and corporate franchise tax by adding an "alternative simplified credit election." This allows eligible corporations, partnerships, or other taxpayers to calculate their base amount for the credit using 50% of their average qualified Minnesota research expenses from the prior three years, instead of the standard method based on federal definitions. The change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and affects businesses conducting research within Minnesota that qualify for the credit. The bill does not alter the credit rate or expand eligibility, only offering an alternative calculation method for existing credit participants.

Maddy summaryHF 183 repeals a tax on retail delivery services and changes how transportation tax revenue is distributed. It creates a "Transportation Advancement Account" to allocate funds from sales taxes, directing 36% to metropolitan counties, 28% to county highway funds, and smaller shares to city and town road programs. The bill modifies several tax statutes (including sections 297A.94 and 270C.15) to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects how Minnesota distributes transportation funding from sales tax revenues.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota law updates family court rules to ensure unmarried parents are treated the same as married couples when determining child custody and parenting time. The bill mandates that courts prioritize scheduling expedited hearings within 30 days if a parent is denied access to their child for 14 consecutive days or faces financial hardship during a legal dispute. It also establishes new rights and responsibilities regarding assisted reproduction and directs the state to modernize legal terminology used in family law statutes. These changes aim to support children's relationships with both parents while providing faster relief for urgent situations involving access or support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires voters in Minnesota to present a government-issued photo identification card to register to vote and to cast a ballot in person. To support this requirement, the legislation creates a new state voter identification card and mandates that counties waive fees for certified vital records, such as birth certificates, when those documents are needed to obtain the ID. The bill also establishes a process for provisional ballots for voters who cannot produce the required ID on election day and directs the state to report on the number of records issued and the funds appropriated for this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Secretary of State to put two questions on the 2024 general election ballot asking voters to approve or reject new designs for the state flag and the state seal. These designs were previously selected by the State Emblems Redesign Commission, and the bill mandates that the changes take effect on May 11, 2025, only if voters vote "yes" on both questions. If the proposals are rejected by the public, the existing flag and seal designs will remain in place. Additionally, the bill updates state laws to clarify how agencies should handle the transition between the old and new emblems and directs unused seal-making tools to the Minnesota Historical Society.