Rep. Dan Wolgamott

Maddy summaryHF 1643 modifies Minnesota's definition of "income" for property tax refund eligibility under Minnesota Statutes § 290A.03, subdivision 3. The bill adds specific nontaxable income sources to the calculation, including veterans disability compensation, certain pensions not exclusively funded by the recipient, cash public assistance, and nontaxable scholarship grants. This change directly affects Minnesota residents claiming property tax refunds, as it expands the income categories considered when determining eligibility. The law updates how taxable income is calculated for refund purposes but does not alter the refund amount itself.

Maddy summaryHF 1498 appropriates $1.09 million annually from the state general fund for grants to specific museums and education centers in Minnesota for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly funds 12 designated institutions, including The Works in Bloomington ($125,000/year), WonderTrek Children's Museum in Brainerd ($82,500/year), and Duluth Children's Museum ($75,000/year), with remaining funds available for future years. It provides a fixed annual appropriation without altering eligibility rules or creating new programs. The bill’s sole policy change is directing state funds to these specific organizations for their operations.

Maddy summaryHF 1415 increases funding for Minnesota's school unemployment aid program, which provides financial support to hourly school employees who face unemployment between academic terms. The bill appropriates specific additional funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects hourly school workers, such as those in maintenance or summer programs, who qualify for unemployment aid under existing rules. The change simply adds more money to an existing account without altering eligibility or program structure.

Maddy summaryHF 1326 appropriates $7,011,000 from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to provide grants to Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Minnesota. These grants will support existing CILs operating under Minnesota Statutes section 268A.11, which provide community-based services and advocacy for people with disabilities. The funding directly affects CILs that help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence in daily living, employment, and community integration. This is a funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely providing financial support for established services.

Maddy summaryHF 850 appropriates $21 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements on County State-Aid Highway 1 (Mayhew Lake Road) in Sauk Rapids, Benton County. The funds cover designing, engineering, constructing, and reconstructing six roundabouts and the highway itself between 14th Avenue and 35th Street. The project requires no local matching funds and is financed through state bond sales under Minnesota law. This bill directly affects Benton County residents and infrastructure along this specific highway corridor.

Maddy summaryHF 1016 modifies how the city of Baldwin calculates its local government aid for 2026. It specifies that Baldwin's 2025 aid amount (used to determine 2026 aid) will be calculated by multiplying a specific dollar amount by the city's population. This change applies only to Baldwin's aid calculation under Minnesota Statutes §477A.013, subdivisions 8 and 9, and is effective solely for aid payments due in 2026. The bill directly affects Baldwin's funding formula without creating new statewide policy.

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 37 proposes adding a new constitutional guarantee to Minnesota's state constitution, stating that "Elections shall be free, fair, and equal. No civil or military power shall, at any time, interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting all Minnesotans participating in elections by establishing this fundamental principle. The bill specifies the exact wording for the constitutional amendment and the ballot question voters would see. It does not create new election procedures but enshrines this standard into the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 139) increases annual cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in Minnesota's Public Employees Police and Fire Retirement Plan and State Patrol Retirement Plan. It raises the standard adjustment from 1% to up to 1.5% annually (based on federal Social Security COLA), and shortens the required waiting period from 36 months to 12 months for full benefits. Retirees receiving benefits for less than 12 months will now get a pro-rated increase based on months served. The changes take effect for adjustments starting January 1, 2026, and apply automatically unless retirees opt out in writing.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides funding and updates policies for Minnesota's higher education system, specifically targeting student support services, financial aid, and institutional contracts. It allocates money for competitive grants to research amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and expands support for on-campus food pantries to help students access meals. The legislation also adjusts the borrowing authority of the state's higher education facilities authority and establishes new reporting requirements for how grant funds are used. These changes directly affect universities, colleges, students, and the organizations administering these programs.