Maddy summaryHF 1845 expands Minnesota's definition of "veteran" to include two specific groups: (1) Hmong veterans naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000, and (2) individuals who served honorably with secret guerrilla units or irregular forces operating from Laos in support of U.S. forces between February 28, 1961, and May 14, 1975. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.447 to add these categories to the existing definition, ensuring these veterans qualify for state benefits. It also creates an advisory task force of veterans, experts, and community members to help determine eligibility under the new definition. This change directly affects Hmong veterans and Laotian-based veterans who previously may not have met Minnesota's veteran criteria.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHF 2244 eliminates the previous restriction that limited deer hunting to shotguns and muzzleloaders in specific areas of Minnesota. The bill amends state law to allow all legal firearms (including rifles) to be used statewide during the regular firearms deer season, replacing the old system that divided the state into a "shotgun use area" and an "all legal firearms area." This change removes location-based firearm restrictions, meaning hunters can now use any legal firearm anywhere in Minnesota during the regular deer season. The bill repeals the specific section of law (Minnesota Statutes 97B.318) that defined the shotgun use area boundary.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates Minnesota's designated "shotgun zone" for deer hunting, which previously required hunters in certain areas to use only shotguns. Instead, it allows county boards to adopt annual ordinances (after public hearings) restricting the types of firearms or ammunition hunters may use within their county. These county rules would expire after one year and require reapproval for renewal. The change directly affects deer hunters across Minnesota, particularly those in counties that choose to implement specific firearm restrictions.
Maddy summaryHF 3 requires Minnesota's legislative auditor to annually report to the legislature by February 1 on whether state agencies have implemented audit recommendations from the prior five years. The bill mandates that agencies' commissioners must also submit detailed reports by September 1 each year, specifically itemizing unaddressed recommendations and explaining why they weren't implemented. This directly affects all state agencies subject to legislative auditor reviews and their commissioners, who must now document progress on audit findings. The law creates a structured process for tracking accountability without altering agency funding or creating new programs.
Maddy summaryHF 1738 repeals Minnesota's renewable development account and sunsets the existing utility solar production incentive program, which provided payments for residential and small commercial solar systems. The bill establishes a new "solar energy production incentive account" to manage funding for solar incentives starting in 2026, with $5 million allocated annually through 2035. It directly affects utilities managing solar programs, homeowners/businesses with solar systems (whose incentives end after 2025), and state treasury operations. Key mechanisms include transferring unspent funds from the old program to the new account and requiring the commissioner of commerce to oversee the program after 2025. The bill ends the current utility-run program on December 31, 2025, and transitions management to the state.
Maddy summaryHF 10 prohibits Minnesota state-funded financial assistance, including health coverage and college scholarships, for undocumented noncitizens. The bill explicitly excludes undocumented noncitizens (defined as those residing without U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval) from MinnesotaCare (state health insurance) and the North Star Promise scholarship program. It amends state statutes to require that these programs deny eligibility to individuals without lawful immigration status. The policy change takes effect upon final enactment, with scholarship eligibility applying to awards beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Maddy summaryHF 484 prohibits local governments (like cities or counties) from banning new natural gas hookups in residential construction after July 1, 2025. It directly affects local regulations and residential builders by preventing municipalities from requiring all-electric new homes. The bill requires that new residential units must allow natural gas connections, removing local authority to restrict this energy source. It applies only to new construction, not existing homes or other building types. The law takes effect the day after it is enacted.
Maddy summaryHF 1071 requires Minnesota local governments (counties and municipalities) to protect and plan for sand, gravel, and other aggregate resources in their land use decisions. It amends state laws to mandate that local comprehensive plans, zoning, and land use controls explicitly consider the protection and access to these resources, using data from the Minnesota Geological Survey. The bill appropriates $950,000 for mapping aggregate resources outside the metro area and updating reclamation guidance, plus $250,000 to update the metropolitan area's resource inventory, with technical assistance provided to local governments. These changes directly affect how communities plan for development and mining sites while ensuring resource availability.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy standards by expanding which hydroelectric projects count toward clean energy goals (including facilities over 100 megawatts if operating since 2023). It allows electric utilities to request delays in meeting renewable, solar, or carbon-free energy requirements if the commission determines it serves the public interest, considering factors like cost impacts and system reliability. The bill also expands sales tax exemptions for residential heating fuels and electricity, and prohibits demolition of fossil-fuel power plants under specific conditions. Additional provisions include supporting carbon capture technology and removing barriers to new nuclear power plants.
Maddy summaryHF 1590 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals who maliciously punish children, specifically targeting cases involving severe physical injury. It affects parents, legal guardians, or caretakers who cause substantial or great bodily harm to children, with penalties increasing based on the child's age (under 4) and the injury's severity. For example, causing head/neck injuries to a child under 4 mandates at least one year in prison, while causing great bodily harm requires a minimum two-year sentence. The bill amends Minnesota Statute 609.377 and takes effect August 1, 2025.