Rep. Paul Torkelson

Co-sponsor HF 288

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Legislative approval required to extend a declared emergency beyond five days, citizen rights protected, legislative enactment required before certain executive orders and rules may have the force and effect of law, terms defined, and criminal penalties repealed.

Maddy summaryHF 288 requires the Minnesota legislature to approve any extension of a declared emergency beyond five days. It mandates that certain executive orders and rules must be enacted by the legislature to have legal effect, rather than taking effect automatically under current rules. The bill defines key terms like "public health emergency" and "bioterrorism" to clarify when emergency powers apply. Additionally, it repeals specific criminal penalties related to emergency management procedures.

In committee Feb 10, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HF 183

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Imposition and allocation of certain taxes amended, and retail delivery fee repealed.

Maddy summaryHF 183 repeals a tax on retail delivery services and changes how transportation tax revenue is distributed. It creates a "Transportation Advancement Account" to allocate funds from sales taxes, directing 36% to metropolitan counties, 28% to county highway funds, and smaller shares to city and town road programs. The bill modifies several tax statutes (including sections 297A.94 and 270C.15) to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects how Minnesota distributes transportation funding from sales tax revenues.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals retail delivery tax (tax relief) and allocates sales tax revenue to transportation infrastructure funding, advancing public service investment.90% confidence TransportationSupports TransportationCreates Transportation Advancement Account directing 36% to metro counties and 28% to county highways, explicitly funding road infrastructure projects via tax revenue allocation.95% confidence

In committee Feb 10, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HF 1651

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote, voter ID card created, provisional ballots established, reports required, and money appropriated.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires voters in Minnesota to present a government-issued photo identification card to register to vote and to cast a ballot in person. To support this requirement, the legislation creates a new state voter identification card and mandates that counties waive fees for certified vital records, such as birth certificates, when those documents are needed to obtain the ID. The bill also establishes a process for provisional ballots for voters who cannot produce the required ID on election day and directs the state to report on the number of records issued and the funds appropriated for this program.

In committee May 20, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HF 5449

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Rural EMS uncompensated care pool payment program established, and money appropriated.

In committee May 6, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HF 3926

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Minnesota Human Rights Act changes made.

In committee Apr 29, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HF 356

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Law on use of force in defense of home and person clarified, self-defense and defense of home laws codified and extended, common law duty to retreat outside the home eliminated, boundaries of dwelling expanded, presumption created, and rights available to a person in that person's dwelling extended to others defending against forced entry.

In committee Apr 24, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Primary HF 5404

In committee · Minnesota House · Lead sponsor

Bipartisan Redistricting Commission established, principles to be used in adopting legislative and congressional districts established, and constitutional amendment proposed.

In committee Apr 18, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Co-sponsor HF 5398

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Former legislators prohibited from lobbying the legislature for a period of two years after leaving legislative office.

In committee Apr 18, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HF 5399

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Onetime aid provided to certain licensed ambulance services, reports required, and money appropriated.

In committee Apr 18, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HF 4728

In committee · Minnesota House · Co-sponsor

Commissioner of revenue required to establish online system to claim the political contribution refund, political contribution refund program amended to allow electronic transfer between the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board and the Department of Revenue, and money appropriated.

In committee Apr 9, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track