Rep. Dave Baker

Maddy summaryHF 1939 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Twin Cities R!SE. The funds will support the Empowerment Institute by expanding its capacity through personal empowerment training, employer partnerships, and statewide implementation of a youth personal empowerment curriculum. This one-time appropriation must be spent by June 30, 2028. The bill directly affects Twin Cities R!SE and the participants in its programs, including youth statewide.

Maddy summaryHF 483 prohibits local governments (like cities or counties) from banning natural gas or propane hookups to any building. It directly affects municipalities that might have tried to restrict these energy services through local ordinances, as well as building owners and utility companies seeking connections. The bill explicitly bans any local rule that prevents utilities from connecting, reconnecting, or supplying natural gas or propane to buildings. This creates a statewide standard, ensuring consistent access to these energy sources regardless of local restrictions. The policy change takes effect immediately after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHF 916 allows financial institutions to subtract income from certain commercial loans when calculating Minnesota individual and corporate taxes. It applies specifically to loans of $5 million or less provided to Minnesota residents or businesses for business or agricultural use. The bill modifies tax code sections to create this subtraction for qualifying loans issued by financial institutions, including S corporations. This policy change directly affects Minnesota-based borrowers seeking business or agricultural loans and the financial institutions issuing them, effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 1853 establishes a Civil Commitment Coordinating Division within Minnesota's Attorney General's office to improve coordination around civil commitment processes. The bill creates a Civil Commitment Coordinator and an 11-20 member Advisory Committee (including judges, counties, people with lived experience, and treatment providers) to develop guidance on outpatient commitment, engagement services, and temporary release options. It authorizes the coordinator to administer grants for diversion programs and engagement services, collect outcome data from local jurisdictions, and run public awareness campaigns about community-based alternatives. This bill directly affects courts, counties, treatment facilities, and community programs handling civil commitments under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 253B.

Maddy summaryHF 1805 increases reimbursement rates for residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers in Minnesota. It adds a new provision that raises payment rates by 50% for specific residential SUD services starting July 1, 2025, compared to rates effective January 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed residential SUD treatment providers who meet state requirements under section 254B.05. The change applies only to certain residential services listed in the statute, not all SUD treatments. The bill aims to improve provider compensation for these specific care settings.

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 1806 requires Minnesota health insurance plans to cover nonopioid prescription drugs and non-drug pain treatments, such as physical therapy, as alternatives to opioids. Specifically, plans must cover at least two FDA-approved nonopioid drugs (not controlled substances) and three nonpharmacologic modalities, while prohibiting preferential coverage for opioids or stricter rules for nonopioid options than for opioids. This affects all health plans operating in Minnesota, including those offered to individuals and employers, with requirements effective January 1, 2026. Plans must also provide annual educational materials about these covered options to both healthcare providers and enrollees.

Maddy summaryHF 1764 appropriates $1.5 million from the state general fund for a one-time grant to the Coalition of Asian American Leaders. The funds will support outreach, training, technical assistance, peer networks, and direct financial help specifically for Asian Minnesotan women entrepreneurs and Asian-owned businesses. The grant is available until June 30, 2027, and must be used for these targeted support services. This bill directly affects Asian-owned businesses and women business owners in Minnesota by providing state-funded resources.

Maddy summaryHF 1807 requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to treat nonopioid drugs approved by the FDA for pain treatment equally with opioids in their coverage. Specifically, it prohibits insurers from designating nonopioid pain drugs as "nonpreferred" when opioids are preferred or imposing stricter requirements (like prior authorization) on nonopioid drugs than on opioids. This applies immediately upon FDA approval of a nonopioid drug for pain management. The bill directly affects health insurance plans managing drug formularies and ensures patients seeking pain treatment have equal access to nonopioid options without unnecessary barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 from the general fund for a one-time grant to Equaspace in fiscal year 2026. The funds will provide workspace and wrap-around services - including IT support, HR assistance, accounting, fundraising, and executive director support - to small and startup nonprofit organizations. The grant is specifically intended to help these nonprofits access essential operational resources through Equaspace’s programs. The funding is limited to the stated purposes and does not create ongoing program requirements.