Rep. Dave Baker

Maddy summaryHF 1355 requires permit holders harvesting or destroying aquatic plants in Minnesota public waters to use scuba diving equipment safely and establishes safety standards for commercial diving operations. It mandates that applicants provide documentation of a recent third-party safety survey by a qualified professional (like a DLI consultant or insurance underwriter) and ensures divers have valid certification from accredited programs. The bill also requires employers to provide buoyancy control devices for workers using scuba equipment during these activities. These requirements apply directly to commercial entities and contractors seeking permits under Minnesota Statutes §103G.615 for aquatic plant management. The law aims to improve workplace safety for divers working in Minnesota's waterways.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's paid leave program call center to be fully operational by January 1, 2026, to provide customer service on the program's launch day. The commissioner of employment and economic development must ensure the call center is ready to handle inquiries when the paid leave program begins. It directly affects the state agency managing the program and ensures residents seeking paid leave assistance have immediate support. The bill sets a specific deadline for operational readiness but does not change the paid leave benefits themselves.

Maddy summaryHF 854 designates a specific segment of Trunk Highway 23 in Kandiyohi County as the "Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway" in honor of Sergeant Joshua Schmidt. The bill specifies the exact location: from U.S. Highway 71 north of Willmar to Lake Avenue South in Spicer. It requires the state transportation commissioner to adopt a suitable design and erect appropriate signs for the memorial designation, per Minnesota Statutes. This is a ceremonial highway naming bill with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHF 500 repeals Minnesota's Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board and related statutes (sections 181.211-181.217) that previously established requirements for nursing home staffing and worker protections. This bill directly affects nursing home employers in Minnesota by removing these specific regulatory standards. The key mechanism is the complete repeal of the board and its associated provisions, eliminating the legal framework that required nursing homes to comply with workforce standards and penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and restrict optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain medications for eye conditions. It specifically prohibits optometrists from administering drugs via IV, IM, or injection (except for anaphylaxis treatment or specific eye injections), performing invasive surgery (including laser procedures), or prescribing Schedule II/III oral drugs. The bill also sets strict time limits: oral antivirals cannot exceed 10 days, steroids require physician consultation after 14 days, and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are limited to 7 days. These changes directly affect licensed optometrists in Minnesota who provide medical eye care.

Maddy summaryHF 859 creates a sales and use tax exemption for equipment used by food service businesses in Minnesota. It exempts equipment like ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and beverage dispensers - integral to preparing food or beverages - when purchased or leased for use in restaurants, mobile food units, or catering services. The exemption excludes items like linens, utensils, tables, chairs, and delivery vehicles. This change takes effect for purchases after June 30, 2025, reducing costs for qualifying businesses.

Maddy summaryHF 2921 appropriates $300,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $300,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to create a pilot program for the Rural Cancer Institute. The program directly affects rural cancer care providers and health care students by funding a community-based initiative to expand oncology clinical staffing in underserved rural areas. Key provisions include increasing cancer care clinicians in rural districts and training students in rural cancer care challenges through a community-based model. This is a one-time appropriation focused on addressing the specific shortage of cancer care workers in rural Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 711 appropriates $500,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to provide grants to the Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council. The funding supports the council’s existing programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D, which focus on agricultural education and leadership development. This bill directly affects the council by providing dedicated funding for its established initiatives, with no new policy requirements or program changes.

Maddy summaryHF 3046 exempts special event food stands (like those at festivals or temporary fairs) from paying Minnesota's $40 annual statewide hospitality fee. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 157.16, subdivision 3a, which previously required most food service establishments - including special event stands - to pay the fee. The change directly affects temporary food vendors operating at short-term events, removing a cost they currently face. Permanent food businesses, hotels, and other licensed establishments remain subject to the fee under the existing law. The exemption applies only to temporary special event stands, not to year-round food service operations.

Maddy summaryHF 97 modifies coverage for chiropractic services under MinnesotaCare and medical assistance programs. It specifies that covered services - including spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises for spinal conditions - must be provided by a licensed professional using accepted standards. The bill limits non-x-ray services to one annual evaluation and 24 visits per year, requiring prior authorization for more visits. It also restricts x-ray coverage to full spine or specific spinal area exams necessary for diagnosing subluxation. The bill repeals the previous coverage description in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256L.03, subdivision 3b.