Rep. Paul Anderson

Maddy summaryHF 1847 appropriates $1.2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.2 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem. The funds must support STEM learning opportunities and workforce development in science and technology fields across the state. The Minnesota STEM Ecosystem can award subgrants to programs that align with statewide STEM initiatives to ensure coordinated efforts. This bill directly affects STEM education programs and workforce development organizations receiving these grants.

Maddy summaryHF 2878 allows commercial feed businesses in Minnesota to directly hire licensed veterinarians without needing to form a separate professional firm under state law. This change removes a requirement from the Minnesota Professional Firms Act (Chapter 319B) for businesses holding commercial feed licenses. The bill specifically permits veterinarians employed by these feed companies to provide veterinary services directly to the feed business's customers. It affects commercial feed licensees and their veterinary staff by simplifying employment arrangements. (Procedural bill; summary limited to key policy change.)

Maddy summaryHF 2712 allocates $8.5 million from the state general fund for one-time improvements to the Capitol tunnel under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and east of the State Capitol. The funds will cover designing, constructing, and equipping the tunnel to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, directly benefiting people with disabilities who use Capitol facilities. The bill specifies that the funding is available until the project is completed or abandoned, with no ongoing annual appropriations. This is a straightforward infrastructure funding measure focused on accessibility compliance, not a policy change affecting broader legislation.

Maddy summaryHF 2683 establishes Minnesota's Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Program to help farmers reduce nitrogen-based fertilizer use and improve water quality. The program provides annual per-acre payments of at least $5 to eligible Minnesota farmers who verify a 15% reduction or 30 pounds per acre less in commercial nitrogen fertilizer use through qualifying biofertilizers (like nitrogen-fixing products or soil amendments) in their crop plans. Farmers must operate at least 40 acres in Minnesota and submit documented crop nutrient management plans. The bill appropriates $1.5 million for the program in fiscal year 2026, with the Agriculture Commissioner required to review and adjust payment rates annually based on inflation and new technologies.

Maddy summaryHF 2667 amends Minnesota law to clarify the definition of a "handler" for restricted pesticides and adjusts license requirements. It defines a "handler" as someone meeting federal standards who mixes or loads restricted pesticides under a licensed applicator's supervision. The bill modifies section 18B.30 to state that handlers may perform preapplication activities (like mixing/loading) without their own license, but only under a licensed applicator's direct supervision. This directly affects pesticide handlers and applicators by streamlining compliance for routine mixing and loading tasks.

Maddy summaryHF 2681 amends Minnesota's carbon-free energy standard to include electricity generated from B100 biodiesel fuel used in peaking facilities for up to 400 hours annually. This change allows electric utilities to count this specific biodiesel use toward their required carbon-free energy targets (80% by 2030 for public utilities, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040). The bill directly affects electric utilities obligated to meet these state-mandated renewable energy standards. It provides a new pathway for utilities to comply by utilizing pure biodiesel (B100) in designated peaking facilities under the specified hour limit.

Maddy summaryHF 1703 modifies the governance rules for the Swift County hospital district's board of directors. It reduces the minimum number of board members from nine to six (while keeping the maximum at twelve) and changes the election structure to require two members elected by the city council and four by the county board - replacing the previous three and six split. These adjustments directly affect how the Swift County hospital district is governed, altering board composition and election procedures. The bill updates statutory requirements without changing the district's core operations or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHF 1524 establishes a grant program for agricultural retailers in Minnesota to promote nutrient management practices following the "4R" principles (right source, rate, time, and place). The program provides $5,000 to retailers upon certification into the 4R nutrient stewardship program and up to 50 cents per acre for implementing approved practices like soil testing, cover crops, or precision agriculture, plus up to 25 cents per acre for nutrient planning by certified advisers. The bill appropriates funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these grants, administered by the commissioner of agriculture. Approved practices must reduce nutrient runoff and align with location-specific farming needs as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 1292 expands eligibility for Minnesota's beginning farmer tax credits by adding specific requirements to qualify. It defines "beginning farmer" as someone who has entered farming within the last ten years, meets net worth limits, provides majority day-to-day farm labor, demonstrates farming knowledge or experience, shows profit potential through projected earnings, and completes a financial management program (with a waiver available for those with agricultural degrees or experience). The bill directly affects new or recent farmers seeking to establish operations in Minnesota, particularly those who may not have met prior eligibility criteria. The changes amend Minnesota Statutes section 41B.0391, aiming to support entry into farming through targeted tax assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 2155 repeals two existing Minnesota statutes: Section 35.68 (which required local health boards to issue rabies proclamations with muzzle rules and publication requirements) and Section 35.830 (which mandated written bills of sale for branded livestock sales). The bill removes these specific regulatory requirements, meaning local health boards no longer need to issue rabies proclamations, and livestock sellers no longer need to provide written bills of sale with detailed brand documentation. This directly affects local health boards, livestock sellers, and haulers who previously had to comply with these provisions. The repeal simplifies administrative processes by eliminating these outdated record-keeping and notification rules.