Rep. Chris Swedzinski

Maddy summaryHF 651 allocates $8 million in state bond funds to the city of Cottonwood for Phase 1 of replacing aging public infrastructure. The funding covers designing, constructing, and equipping upgrades to the city's sanitary sewer system, drinking water distribution system, streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and connections to the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water system. The money comes from bonds authorized under Minnesota law, with the Public Facilities Authority administering the grant. This direct funding specifically affects Cottonwood residents by improving essential municipal infrastructure services.

Maddy summaryHF 611 modifies age-related exemptions for hunting and fishing licenses in Minnesota. It raises the fishing exemption age from under 16 to under 18 for taking fish without a license, and adjusts small game hunting rules: youth ages 12-17 now require safety certificates or supervision for certain activities, while children under 13 may hunt turkey or deer without fees when accompanied by an adult. The bill also updates fee structures, including making turkey hunting free for ages 12 and under and eliminating fees for children under 13 taking deer by any method. These changes directly affect Minnesotans under 18 who hunt or fish, altering license requirements and costs based on age.

Maddy summaryHF 626 modifies Minnesota's hunting and fishing license exemptions by raising the age limit from 16 to 18 for certain activities. The bill amends statutes (97A.451 and 97A.475) to require residents and nonresidents aged 16-17 to obtain licenses for small game hunting and fishing, previously exempt until age 16. Specifically, it removes license exemptions for 16- and 17-year-olds taking small game (like deer, turkey, or bear) and fishing, though some age-based fee reductions remain for younger minors. This directly affects Minnesotans aged 16-17 who must now purchase licenses for these activities, aligning with updated licensing requirements under Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryHF 614 provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in specific school projects within two Minnesota school districts. It directly affects Canby Independent School District (No. 891) and Tracy Independent School District (No. 2904), covering projects like new gymnasiums, career tech spaces, HVAC upgrades, athletic field improvements, and classroom renovations. The bill requires tax to be collected initially but then refunded by the state, applying to purchases made between late 2023 and early 2026 for Canby projects, and late 2022 through 2024 for Tracy projects. This policy change reduces upfront costs for school construction by allowing districts to recover the tax paid on eligible materials.

Maddy summaryHF 616 provides $7,039,000 in state funding to improve Ghent's water infrastructure through bond sales. The bill allocates $5,084,000 to expand and rehabilitate the city's sewage treatment ponds (addressing leaks, overflows, and population growth) and $1,955,000 to build a new water tower and drinking water system. This funding, issued via state bonds, aims to improve water pressure for residents, enhance fire safety, and meet regional water quality requirements. The direct beneficiaries are Ghent residents and local fire services, with the city of Ghent administering the project.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates Minnesota's designated "shotgun zone" for deer hunting, allowing all legal firearms statewide during regular deer season. It directly affects deer hunters who previously had to use shotguns only in specific areas. The bill repeals the existing rule defining the shotgun zone and requires the natural resources commissioner to submit a report by December 2028 on the change's impact on hunting practices and deer populations, including any recommendations for future policy.

Maddy summaryHF 612 appropriates $4 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure upgrades in the city of Russell. The funds will directly support the city in replacing aging water distribution systems, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and reconstructing city streets. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $4 million in bonds to cover these costs, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This is a targeted funding measure for Russell's specific infrastructure needs, with no broader statewide application.

Maddy summaryHF 617 creates a sales tax exemption for construction materials purchased by contractors working on road projects for school districts or local governments. The bill adds a new provision (subdivision 55) to Minnesota's tax code, exempting materials used in road construction, repair, or maintenance when bought by contractors for these public entities. Contractors would pay the standard sales tax upfront but receive a refund through the existing tax process outlined in section 297A.75. The exemption applies to purchases made after June 30, 2025, directly affecting contractors and public entities managing road infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHF 618 modifies Minnesota's sales tax exemption rules for construction materials used by contractors. It adds new categories of eligible entities - including school districts, local governments, hospitals, libraries, nonprofits, and specific healthcare facilities - that qualify for exemption on materials purchased for their projects. The bill also adds a refund process: contractors must pay the standard sales tax upfront but can later apply to get it back through the Department of Revenue. This change applies to materials used in construction, repair, or improvement projects for these qualifying organizations, effective after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 486 requires coal-fired electric generation facilities scheduled for retirement in 2027 or 2031, located within the Mississippi River - St. Cloud Watershed, to submit a decommissioning and repurposing plan by February 1, 2027. The bill mandates that public utilities provide this plan to the Public Utilities Commission and share it with the local municipality where the facility is located. The plan must include specific details on how the facility will be repurposed (if possible) and a timeline for the retirement process. This applies only to coal plants in the specified watershed and does not cover other energy sources or facilities outside that geographic area. The requirement is tied to the utility's next resource plan filing or a separate filing if needed before the deadline.