Rep. Dave Baker

Maddy summaryHF 852 appropriates $2.1 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure improvements in Spicer, Minnesota. The funds will support designing, constructing, and equipping publicly owned infrastructure - including a new water treatment facility, sewer, water, and roadway upgrades - specifically for the County Road 8 area in southeast Spicer. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $2.1 million to cover these costs, following Minnesota’s bond issuance procedures. This direct funding targets local infrastructure development to support economic growth in the specified area.

Maddy summaryHF 960 modifies the design of Minnesota driver's licenses and identification cards to include specific markings. It requires licenses for people under 21 to be marked "Under-21" and allows those 65+ to request a "senior" marking. The bill also updates REAL ID compliance markings, adding "temporary" for licenses issued to people with temporary legal status and requiring noncompliant licenses to display "not for federal identification" and "not for voting" under certain circumstances. These design changes apply to all new licenses issued on or after October 1, 2025, and directly affect license holders based on age, citizenship status, or compliance with federal ID requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates up to $4 million from state bond proceeds to fund infrastructure upgrades in Raymond, Minnesota. The funds will directly support the city of Raymond to replace aging water systems, storm sewers, and reconstruct streets. The key mechanism is issuing state bonds to provide the grant money, which the city will use for design, construction, and equipment. The bill focuses on concrete infrastructure improvements to address failing municipal systems.

Maddy summaryHF 486 requires coal-fired electric generation facilities scheduled for retirement in 2027 or 2031, located within the Mississippi River - St. Cloud Watershed, to submit a decommissioning and repurposing plan by February 1, 2027. The bill mandates that public utilities provide this plan to the Public Utilities Commission and share it with the local municipality where the facility is located. The plan must include specific details on how the facility will be repurposed (if possible) and a timeline for the retirement process. This applies only to coal plants in the specified watershed and does not cover other energy sources or facilities outside that geographic area. The requirement is tied to the utility's next resource plan filing or a separate filing if needed before the deadline.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota law updates family court rules to ensure unmarried parents are treated the same as married couples when determining child custody and parenting time. The bill mandates that courts prioritize scheduling expedited hearings within 30 days if a parent is denied access to their child for 14 consecutive days or faces financial hardship during a legal dispute. It also establishes new rights and responsibilities regarding assisted reproduction and directs the state to modernize legal terminology used in family law statutes. These changes aim to support children's relationships with both parents while providing faster relief for urgent situations involving access or support.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to essential government documents for individuals in Minnesota who are eligible for medical assistance and have been treated for a substance use disorder within the last 12 months. It allows these individuals to apply for certified birth records and identification cards or driver's licenses with waived fees, provided they submit a verification statement from a public-funded treatment provider confirming their eligibility and treatment history. The legislation also establishes specific data privacy rules for the personal information shared during this verification process. By removing financial barriers and streamlining the application requirements, the bill aims to ensure that people recovering from substance use disorders can obtain critical identification without incurring costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for small businesses in Minnesota that pay family leave benefits to their employees. It allows qualified employers, defined as those with 50 or fewer employees, to claim a credit against their state income and corporate franchise taxes for money spent directly on paid family leave or paid to an insurance provider for such benefits. The credit is capped at $3,000 per employee and applies to leave taken for serious health conditions, bonding with a new child, or addressing military-related exigencies. The legislation also specifies how the credit is calculated for nonresidents and how it is distributed among partners or shareholders in business entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Minnesota to change who is eligible for their services and how those teams must be certified. It directly affects mental health providers, counties that host these teams, and individuals seeking intensive community-based care for serious mental illnesses. The legislation updates eligibility criteria to include specific diagnostic requirements, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, while limiting the number of clients with other conditions a team can serve. Additionally, the bill strengthens provider standards by mandating regular state certification every three years and requiring teams to maintain specific staffing levels and quality assurance plans. These changes aim to ensure that ACT teams consistently meet clinical and administrative standards while providing high-intensity support to individuals with complex mental health needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules governing the Hennepin Healthcare System to give the Hennepin County Board stronger oversight powers over the hospital's corporate board. Under the new provisions, the county board can dissolve the corporation, reorganize it, or remove the entire corporate board if it finds evidence of malfeasance, which includes actions like fraud, corruption, or serious ethical violations. Before taking such drastic steps, the county board must conduct a formal investigation that includes notifying the hospital and the state health commissioner, allowing the hospital to respond, and assessing how the action would impact patient care and financial obligations. Additionally, the bill clarifies that while the Hennepin County attorney serves as the system's legal counsel, the healthcare system retains the option to hire its own separate legal and government relations staff without needing county approval.