Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new taxpayer refund account in Minnesota to hold undesignated money returned to the state through restitution, fraud recovery, overpayment recovery, administrative fines, or other reimbursements. State agencies must transfer these recovered funds to the commissioner of management and budget within 60 days of receipt, and the funds must be used exclusively for issuing refunds to individual taxpayers who filed Minnesota income tax returns. The commissioner will distribute the accumulated funds as direct payments to eligible taxpayers once the account balance exceeds $300 million, with refunds issued within 120 days after the legislative session ends. The bill also requires the commissioner to create rules for administering the account and determining the refund distribution formula, with provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3588 would expand who can request Minnesota's voter registration list by adding the national chair of a major political party to the current list of eligible requesters (registered voters). County auditors and the secretary of state must provide the list within five business days of a complete request with payment for copying, and make it available for free public inspection. The bill maintains restrictions requiring users to limit the list's use to election-related, political, or law enforcement purposes only. This change directly affects national political party leaders seeking voter data for campaign or organizational purposes.

Maddy summaryHF 3587 requires election judges assisting voters outside polling places (such as in vehicles) to handle only one voted ballot at a time. This applies when judges help voters register, update registration, or complete voting procedures outside the polling site, as specified in Minnesota Statutes section 204C.15, subdivision 2. The bill directly affects election judges and ensures a specific procedural safeguard during this type of assistance. It amends existing law to add this one-ballot-at-a-time requirement for judges providing such support. The change aims to clarify handling procedures during off-site voting assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program optional for both employers and employees. It allows employers to opt out of the program by submitting a form to the state, with the option to change their decision once every 12 months. Employees of opting-out employers can still participate as self-employed individuals, while all employees retain the ability to opt out individually using a state form. The changes modify existing requirements in Minnesota Statutes chapter 268B to provide this flexibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill aligns Minnesota's state tax law with the federal tax treatment of tip income. It adds a provision allowing Minnesota taxpayers to deduct qualified tips under the federal Internal Revenue Code (section 224) as a subtraction from taxable income. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2028, but is effective retroactively for years starting after December 31, 2024. This directly affects Minnesota residents who earn tip income and file individual income tax returns, potentially reducing their state tax liability.

Maddy summaryHF 3524 would allow Minnesota taxpayers to deduct qualified overtime pay from their state taxable income, aligning Minnesota's tax code with a federal deduction for overtime compensation. This bill directly affects Minnesota residents who earn overtime pay and file state income taxes. The key provision adopts the federal definition of "qualified overtime compensation" under Internal Revenue Code section 225, permitting this deduction for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2028, though it applies retroactively to years starting after December 31, 2024. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 290.0132, to add this deduction as a subtraction from taxable income.

Maddy summaryHF 3436 requires drivers approaching a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights to stop at least 20 feet away. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 169.444 to mandate this stop until the bus retracts its stop arm and turns off the red lights. It also adds a new provision requiring drivers to prepare to stop within 20 feet when a bus shows prewarning amber lights, signaling red lights are about to activate. This law directly affects all drivers operating vehicles near school buses in Minnesota, aiming to improve safety for children boarding or exiting buses. The bill takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 845 modifies Minnesota's net metering rules for small-scale renewable energy systems. It allows customers with systems under 40 kilowatts to choose between receiving compensation based on the utility's avoided costs or the average retail electricity rate. The bill clarifies key terms like "designated meter" and "contiguous property" to streamline billing for these systems. This directly affects residential and small business customers with solar panels or similar renewable installations who generate excess electricity for the grid.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state legislators and legislative employees to contribute 50 percent of the premium cost for the state's Paid Leave Law through wage deductions. The provision adds a new requirement to existing statutes that currently allows employers to pay at least half of the annual premiums while employees cover the remainder. By mandating that legislators and their staff split the premium cost equally with the state, the bill ensures they participate in the same paid leave funding structure as other employers and employees. This change directly affects the financial obligations of lawmakers and legislative workers, aligning their contributions with the broader paid leave system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals receiving Minnesota public assistance programs from using licensed money transmitters to send money to foreign countries. It directly affects recipients of programs such as SNAP, medical assistance, child care assistance, and housing support. The law requires money transmitters to report every six months to state agencies any individuals who send money abroad, and state officials must then check if those individuals are enrolled in public assistance programs. If a recipient is found to have sent money to a foreign country while receiving aid, they will lose eligibility for all public assistance programs they were participating in.