Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen

Maddy summaryHF 1772 creates a claims process to compensate Minnesota businesses that lost income or property value due to the early closure of a biomass energy plant. It directly affects businesses operating under valid contracts (written or documented oral) with the biomass plant or its integrated fertilizer plant as of May 1, 2017, and located in Minnesota. The Office of Administrative Hearings will administer claims, requiring businesses to prove decreased operating income (revenue minus operating costs) or loss of essential property investments, while deducting any insurance payments or other compensation received. Awards for income losses are capped at twice the calculated loss amount, and claims may receive priority if businesses pursued alternative opportunities to mitigate losses.

Maddy summaryHF 1621 appropriates $10 million from Minnesota's 2026 budget to fund a one-time grant for CelluComp, a company developing sustainable packaging. The grant supports CelluComp's commercialization of a fiber-based barrier material that reduces harmful PFAS chemicals and plastic in packaging products. This funding, available until July 1, 2027, is administered through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The bill directly affects CelluComp and aims to advance eco-friendly packaging innovation in the state.

Maddy summaryHF 1622 appropriates $10 million from Minnesota's general fund for one-time grants to support the development of PFAS-free alternatives. The grants target Minnesota-based companies that can demonstrate expertise in material science and the use of agricultural waste streams (like crop byproducts) to create packaging or products without PFAS chemicals, while prioritizing local sourcing and renewable energy. Grant awards range from $2 million to $5 million per project, with funds available until July 2027. This program directly affects manufacturers in Minnesota aiming to replace PFAS-containing products using local agricultural resources.

Maddy summaryHF 1743 appropriates $3.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure upgrades in Lake Lillian, directly affecting the city and its residents. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $3.5 million in bonds to provide a grant for designing, constructing, and equipping replacement of aging water distribution, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and street systems. This funding is in addition to prior appropriations for the city and will cover both utility infrastructure and road reconstruction. The measure enables Lake Lillian to address critical infrastructure needs using state bond financing.

Maddy summaryHF 1475 abolishes Minnesota's Metropolitan Council and transfers its core responsibilities to other state entities. Specifically, it moves the Council's duties to the commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources, shifts transportation and transit functions to the Department of Transportation, and creates a new metropolitan area sanitary sewer district. The bill also repeals land use planning provisions previously managed by the Council and ends its oversight of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. These changes reorganize regional governance for key services like transportation, environmental management, and sewer infrastructure across the metropolitan area.

Maddy summaryHF 753 allows licensed veterans organizations in Minnesota to use gross profits from lawful gambling for repairing, maintaining, or improving their buildings. Specifically, it amends Minnesota law to permit these organizations to cover costs like water, fuel, electricity, and sewer expenses for their primary headquarters buildings. This change directly affects veterans groups operating legal gambling activities under state licensing. The policy expands their allowable uses of gambling revenue beyond previous restrictions, focusing on facility upkeep rather than other community programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1184 removes burial fees at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 190.19 (subd. 2a) and 197.236 (subd. 9) to eliminate the fee schedule for these individuals and direct funds from the "Support Our Troops" account to cover uncompensated burial costs. It appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover these costs, replacing the previous waiver process for indigent applicants. This policy change directly affects veterans' families seeking burial at state cemeteries.

Maddy summaryHF 1460 appropriates $50,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the repair and preservation of the historic Ness Church in Litchfield. The funds, allocated for fiscal year 2026, will be provided to the Minnesota Historical Society's governing board as a grant. This bill directly affects the Ness Church (a cultural heritage site) and the Historical Society, which will manage the restoration work. The key provision is a specific, one-time funding allocation for maintaining this historic structure.

Maddy summaryHF 1423 amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.124, subdivision 8, to increase the maximum number of shareholders, members, or partners allowed for certain agricultural entities to qualify for homestead property tax treatment from 12 to 18. This change directly affects family farm corporations, joint farm ventures, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships operating farms, allowing them to have up to 18 qualifying members while still qualifying for class 1b or class 2a property tax classifications. The bill does not alter tax rates but expands eligibility for existing homestead tax benefits by raising the shareholder cap. It takes effect for homestead applications filed in 2025 and later.

Maddy summaryHF 1448 allows surviving spouses to use their deceased spouse's unused federal estate tax exemption when calculating Minnesota estate taxes. The bill requires personal representatives of a decedent's estate to elect this "portability" option on Minnesota estate tax returns (or file a return if not otherwise required), making the election irrevocable. It directly affects married couples where one spouse dies before using their full federal estate tax exemption, potentially reducing estate taxes for the surviving spouse. The key change is streamlining access to this federal exemption for Minnesota estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2024.