Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen

Maddy summaryHF 1437 modifies Minnesota's stillbirth tax credit, providing eligible parents a $2,000 credit against state income tax for each stillbirth. It directly affects individuals who experienced a stillbirth and filed Minnesota income taxes, including residents and nonresident military spouses. The bill defines "stillbirth" per Minnesota's fetal death reporting rules and specifies that the credit applies only to the year the stillbirth occurred. This change applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015, with refund claims for affected years allowed until January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2 requires state agency employees to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and legislative committee leaders when they have reason to believe fraud exists in agency programs. It mandates that all state agencies post current organizational charts online with contact details for leadership and division heads. The bill strengthens grant management by requiring agencies to conduct unannounced monitoring visits before final payments for grants over $50,000 (and annually for grants over $250,000), perform financial reconciliations prior to disbursement, and withhold funds from grantees failing to submit required progress reports. Violating these grant management requirements constitutes a misdemeanor under the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 1459 allocates $50,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to the Greater Litchfield Opera House Association for expanding and installing balcony seating. The funds are designated for the 2026 fiscal year and will be administered through the Minnesota Historical Society's governing board. This bill provides direct funding for a specific capital improvement project at the opera house without changing any laws or regulations. It directly benefits the local opera house association and its community operations.

Maddy summaryHF 1298 amends Minnesota law to allow landowners or their agents to take feral swine causing damage to crops, property, or livestock without a hunting license. It permits this action on land the person owns or occupies, provided they report the take to wildlife officials within 48 hours. The bill specifies that landowners must follow standard wildlife reporting rules (like notifying conservation officers) but do not need to surrender the swine to the state. This directly affects property owners facing feral swine damage, updating existing provisions to clarify their authority under current wildlife regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 1331 requires the commissioner of natural resources to conduct an annual statewide survey to estimate Minnesota's wolf population. The survey must cover the entire state - not just historic wolf habitats - and be completed each year. This amendment to Minnesota Statutes section 97B.646 (wolf management) adds this requirement to the existing framework, which already includes a wolf management plan and quarterly mortality reporting. The bill directly affects state wildlife management practices under the Department of Natural Resources.

Maddy summaryHF 1185 creates a new special license plate design for Minnesota residents who received the National Defense Service Medal. The bill amends Minnesota law to add a plate inscription reading "NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENT" to the existing list of veteran plate options. Eligible veterans must already meet standard requirements for veteran plates (including honorable discharge documentation) and own qualifying vehicles. The plate would follow the same fee structure as other veteran plates, requiring payment of the standard special plate fee upon issuance.

Maddy summaryHF 1055 appropriates $3 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure upgrades in Sacred Heart, Minnesota. The bill directly affects Sacred Heart residents by providing funds for replacing aging water treatment systems, rehabilitating the city’s water tower, and improving wastewater systems. Key mechanisms include authorizing the state to issue up to $3 million in bonds under Minnesota law to cover these specific infrastructure projects. The funds will be granted to Sacred Heart through the Public Facilities Authority for design, construction, and equipment. The bill takes effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 920 amends an existing appropriation to provide an additional $10 million in fiscal year 2026 for a wastewater industrial pretreatment facility in Litchfield. The funding, administered through the commissioner of agriculture, supports the First District Association - a dairy cooperative in Litchfield - to design, construct, and equip a new facility capable of processing up to 1.75 million gallons per day of high-strength wastewater. The facility will include biosolids handling and renewable gas production capabilities. This bill directly affects the Litchfield dairy cooperative and its wastewater management infrastructure, building on prior funding authorized in 2023.

Maddy summaryHF 917 appropriates $9 million from state bond proceeds to fund a community wellness center in Olivia, Minnesota. The bill directs Renville County to design, build, and equip the center - which will offer nutrition, movement, lifestyle, and integrative therapy services - to provide nonjudgmental health resources for local residents. It authorizes the state to issue up to $9 million in bonds to cover the cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The funds are specifically for a county-led project, not for state operations.

Maddy summaryHF 642 permits Minnesotans to make small batches of distilled spirits at home for personal or family use, directly affecting residents who wish to produce alcohol without a license. The bill amends state law to allow home distillation under specific limits: no more than 100 gallons per year, with strict rules prohibiting sales and requiring clear public disclosure at any tastings (e.g., "homemade, not state-inspected"). It repeals a prior law that treated unauthorized stills as automatic evidence of illegal production. This change only applies to non-commercial, personal use and does not alter existing rules for commercial distillers or alcohol sales.