Rep. Dan Wolgamott

Maddy summaryHF 2104 eliminates Minnesota's ban on billboard advertising for cannabis and hemp products. Previously, the law prohibited most outdoor billboard ads for these products (allowing only up to two fixed signs on business property), but this bill repeals that restriction. Businesses can now use billboards for advertising, though they must still comply with existing rules preventing ads targeting audiences where 30% or more are under 21 years old. The bill directly affects cannabis and hemp businesses by expanding their advertising options beyond previous limitations.

Maddy summaryHF 2969 amends Minnesota law to exempt full-time graduate students employed by their educational institution under work-study programs or financial aid from being classified as "public employees." This specifically affects graduate students working in roles connected to their education, such as teaching assistantships or research positions funded through their program. The bill adds a new exemption (subdivision 14, clause 10) to Minnesota Statutes 179A.03, clarifying that these students are not considered public employees regardless of their weekly work hours. The change applies to students employed by schools (excluding the University of Minnesota Board of Regents) as part of their financial aid or work-study arrangements. This is a technical classification update, not a change to student employment conditions or benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends deadlines for the Cooper Avenue Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing District in St. Cloud. It delays the requirement for development activities to begin from 2026 to April 30, 2031, and postpones demolition/rehabilitation work deadlines from 2026 to April 30, 2030. The extension applies specifically to the city's Cooper Avenue redevelopment project under existing state tax increment financing rules. It directly affects St. Cloud's ability to manage this designated redevelopment area according to its current timeline.

Maddy summaryHF 3029 allows the city of St. Cloud to establish up to two redevelopment districts in specific areas (including the Division Street corridor and Central Business District) using designated parcels listed by tax ID numbers in Stearns and Benton counties. It creates special rules enabling these districts to generate special tax revenue (from increased property values) to fund public infrastructure like streets, utilities, and parking adjacent to development projects. The bill exempts these districts from certain standard tax increment financing rules and expires on December 31, 2031. This directly affects property owners within the designated parcels and St. Cloud's economic development authority.

Maddy summaryHF 2956 removes the $500 caps on both reasonable attorney fees and punitive damages for discrimination lawsuits filed in Minnesota courts. It directly affects individuals who sue businesses or organizations (like restaurants, hotels, or stores) for discrimination in public accommodations. The bill amends Minnesota law to eliminate these specific financial limits, allowing courts to award higher amounts for attorney fees and punitive damages in qualifying cases. This change applies only to civil actions alleging discrimination under the statute, not to other types of lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHF 2325 requires Minnesota employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for work performed on designated holidays. The bill directly affects hourly workers in Minnesota who are scheduled to work on holidays defined under Minnesota Statutes section 645.44, subdivision 5. It amends existing law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 177.25) to add a new provision mandating this overtime pay rate specifically for holiday work. This changes the current standard by explicitly requiring higher pay for holiday shifts, rather than allowing employers to use alternative compensation methods. The bill does not change the definition of "holiday" but specifies the required pay rate when work occurs on those days.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in private redevelopment projects within specific parcels in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It directly affects property developers working on 39 designated sites across Stearns and Benton counties (listed by tax ID numbers), allowing them to reclaim sales tax paid on qualifying materials. The exemption applies to purchases made between July 2025 and December 2040, with refunds capped at $13 million total. The state will process refunds for complete applications in the order received, requiring applicants to verify tax payments.

Maddy summaryHF 1165 renames the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority to the Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority and authorizes it to finance health care facilities in addition to its existing role supporting higher education. The bill increases the agency's bonding capacity, allowing it to issue more bonds to fund construction and improvements for both health care and educational facilities. This directly affects health care organizations and institutions of higher education in Minnesota by expanding their access to financing for facility projects. The legislation also updates the authority's board composition requirements to include members with expertise in health care, higher education, and finance.

Maddy summaryHF 2930 cancels $15 million previously allocated for ALS research and redirects that same amount to fund a new, one-time collaboration between the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and the Mayo Clinic. The $15 million in fiscal year 2026 will support ongoing ALS research aimed at improving patient lives and finding a cure, with funds to be used by the partnership until fully expended or by January 15, 2030. The bill requires the University of Minnesota to submit annual reports starting in 2026 detailing how the funds were used. This replaces prior funding mechanisms established in 2022 and 2024, which are now repealed.

Maddy summaryHF 443 modifies Minnesota's property tax rules for airport facilities. It provides a 50% reduction in tax capacity for specific airport properties in cities with 50,000-150,000 residents (not operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission) used as hangars for aircraft storage/repair or for passenger areas like check-in counters. This tax relief applies to property taxes payable from 2026 through 2037. The bill specifically targets smaller city airports, excluding those in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Metropolitan Airports Commission facilities.