Rep. Bobbie Harder

Maddy summaryHF 2168 increases penalties for motor vehicle theft under Minnesota Statutes § 609.52. The bill amends the statute to explicitly include "motor vehicle" as a circumstance triggering a higher penalty tier (up to 10 years in prison or $20,000 fine), previously not specifically listed under this level. This directly affects individuals convicted of stealing vehicles, moving such offenses to a more severe sentencing category. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and modifies the existing penalty structure without changing other theft categories.

Maddy summaryHF 25 establishes a state grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to fund nonprofit women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The program provides financial support for services like housing, medical care, parenting education, and mental health resources to help pregnant women and new mothers - particularly those facing homelessness or crisis - carry pregnancies to term and care for their children. Eligible organizations must be nonprofits offering free or low-cost services without promoting abortion, providing abortion care, or referring women to abortion providers. Grant funds cannot be used for abortion-related activities, and strict privacy rules require written consent before sharing personal information about clients. The bill appropriates state funds for this program while reducing other health-related appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 24 amends Minnesota Statutes section 145.423 to require that infants born alive during an abortion be immediately recognized as human persons under the law and receive medical care. The bill mandates that medical personnel take "all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice" to preserve the life and health of such infants, including compiling appropriate medical records. It directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions in Minnesota by establishing specific medical care obligations for infants born alive. The proposed changes would have taken effect the day after enactment, though the bill was not passed.

Maddy summaryHF 169 replaces Minnesota's previous tiered tax on gambling with a flat 8.5% tax on all lawful gambling receipts (minus prizes paid). This bill directly affects gambling organizations operating in Minnesota, including casinos, racetracks, and bingo halls. The key change eliminates the old "combined net receipts tax" system - which taxed profits at progressive rates based on revenue levels - and substitutes a simpler flat-rate calculation. The new tax takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all gambling except paper pull-tabs, tipboards, electronic bingo, and specific exempt games.

Maddy summaryHF 2174 requires Minnesota state agencies to reduce funding for any unfilled positions that remain vacant for 180 days or more after being posted, applying to positions posted in fiscal years 2023-2025. This reduces general fund and nongeneral fund appropriations by the salary and benefits savings from those unfilled roles, with the cuts reflected in agency budgets for 2026-2027. The bill excludes law enforcement and public safety positions from this requirement and mandates the commissioner of management and budget to report annual savings to legislative finance committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's long-term care insurance tax credit by doubling the maximum annual credit amounts. It increases the per-beneficiary credit limit from $100 to $250 and raises the annual maximum to $500 for married couples filing jointly (from $200) and $250 for other filers (from $100). The credit remains at 25% of premiums paid for qualifying long-term care insurance policies, but the new dollar limits apply to each beneficiary. The changes take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly benefiting Minnesotans who purchase long-term care insurance.

Maddy summaryHF 2177 requires Minnesotans to present a photo ID to register to vote and to cast a ballot in person. It creates a state-issued voter ID card (free of charge for those needing it for voting), establishes provisional ballots for voters without ID, and mandates ID checks for individuals assisting voters at polling places. The bill also prohibits certain voter registration and absentee voting assistance activities, increases criminal penalties for violations like impersonating a voter, and requires annual reporting on ID card usage. These changes take effect June 1, 2026, directly affecting voters, election officials, and poll workers.

Maddy summaryHF 2167 requires Minnesota judges to state publicly the reasons for releasing or detaining individuals arrested for domestic violence, stalking, or violating protection orders. Judges must document findings on whether the person poses a safety threat to victims or family members, or is likely to skip court. This applies to all pretrial release decisions for these offenses starting August 1, 2025. The bill focuses on transparency in judicial decisions without altering existing release conditions.

Maddy summaryHF 2254 adds a $400 "baby bonus" to Minnesota's existing child credit for each qualifying child born during the tax year. This directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with newborn children, increasing their state income tax credit. The bill modifies the child credit calculation by adding the $400 per newborn (without reducing the minimum credit amount) and allows for potential advance payments. It takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 2029 allows Minnesota municipalities to charge developers a street impact fee based on a subdivision's net buildable acreage, transportation system impact, or the municipality's transportation plan. The fee must be paid into a special fund exclusively for street, road, intersection, and related transportation infrastructure projects. Property owners developing previously subdivided land with the same number of lots is exempt, while increased lot counts only trigger fees for the additional lots. The bill requires fees to have a clear connection to transportation needs and includes dispute resolution procedures for fee challenges.